Children Thrown to Alligators

The Khmer Rouge soldiers burst into the room, brandishing their weapons and shouting insults and threats. When the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975, thousands of Christians were killed. Children were even thrown before alligators so the soldiers could “save their bullets.”

    None of the members of the small congregation moved. An officer walked up to the pastor, grabbed the Bible he had been reading, and threw it on the floor. “We will let you go,” he said, “but first you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot.”
    

    Another soldier grabbed a man by the arm and forced him forward. “Father, please forgive me,” he prayed as he knelt where the Bible had fallen and spat lightly on it.

    A teenage girl suddenly stood up and walked towards the Bible. Tearfully, she knelt and picked up the Bible, taking the hem of her dress and wiping it clean. “What have they done to your Word?” she said. “Please forgive them.” The soldier lowered his revolver to the back of her head and squeezed the trigger.

    The Christians who were initially allowed to leave were also shot. Their actions did little to save them.

One act of tender resolve can inspire a congregation more than any number of betrayals. The teenager in this story prompts a vision of what it means to be united in Christ. Instead of rebuking her weaker brothers and sisters, she merely led by example in her tender treatment of the Bible. Imagine if everyone in that church had acted in the same like-minded manner. What a strong witness for Christ! Whenever we act together, we are stronger. Tenderness and compassion, combined with a strong example, will lead those who are weak to join together in greater commitment. If you are frustrated with others who struggle in their commitment, remember God calls you to unite with those who are weaker and help them along.

Source: Extreme Devotion