I will go in before the king, even though it is against the law; if I have to die, let me die (Esther 4:16)
The king of Persia had signed a document ordering the extermination of all the Jews under his rule. When Mordecai, a Jewish prisoner, heard the news, he challenged his niece, Queen Esther, who had just been crowned, to defend the lives of her people.
Facing the king uninvited can lead to the death penalty. But for the sake of God's people, Esther took that risk.
Throughout the 20th century, millions of Christians died as martyrs. This is a terrible tragedy, but we can take comfort in knowing that those who were killed out of devotion to Jesus died with great honor.
Corrie ten Boom's father saw this truth clearly. During the Second World War, a Dutch priest refused to protect a baby, saying, "We can lose our lives because of that Jewish child." Ten Boom's father then took the baby in his arms and said, "You say that we can lose our lives because of this child. But I consider it a great honor for my family."
Most of us will never face a test like the one faced by the ten Boom and Esther families. But we can all lift our hearts by their example. They know that there is a worse fate than death.
Dying for our service to God and our love for Him is truly the highest honor --HVL
“DON’T BE AFRAID OF THEM
THAT KILL THE BODY OF JESUS"
*) Take from Daily Meditatio