Daily Devotion

“What shall we do? For us, the matter is already settled: We will never give up the mission in China. You cannot starve us out.”

Young J. Allen · The Writings of Young J. Allen

Scripture

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Reflection

In 1868, Young J. Allen's only native preacher passed away, and the mission board would send no reinforcements. Yet he wrote: "We will never give up the mission in China. You cannot starve us out." This was not bravado, but the result of having tasted God's provision in times of lack. Paul asked, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ... Or famine?" The answer was already settled. We are able to persevere not because our circumstances have improved, but because we have first been tightly gripped by that love. Today, what are you tempted to give up on?