In early 1978, the Belgrade police discovered a... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Fear involves torment.
1 John 4:18

In early 1978, the Belgrade police discovered a former soldier hiding in the attic of his house for fear of being punished. And he had been doing so since 1945!
In 1943 he had joined partisans commanded by the communist, Tito. Three months later he was captured by the Germans. Later he joined a group that fought against the communists. But then Tito won and became president.

Now the former soldier feared being punished for his activities in World War II. And so he went into hiding. When he made the decision, he was 32 years old – and when he was discovered, at 64 years of age, he had spent half his life in hiding because he didn’t want to be discovered and punished. And then he learned that there was nothing against him and that he had never been charged. He had punished himself – for 32 years. His “fear” had “torment” – for half a lifetime!

I wonder if there are also people today who give God a wide berth because they fear Him, those who do not know how liberating the gospel of God’s grace is. God hates sin – no question, but He loves every human being and has given proof of this by sending His Son into this world (John 3:16).

If anyone reading these words is also fearful of God, I urge him to take courage and come. God is a gracious God who is willing to forgive! He wants to take away that fear and provide a peace that will never cease. For God has promised, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

I wonder if anyone reading today is still willing to choose the path to freedom.

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 10:1-11 · Matthew 24:15-28