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Key Bible Verse: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Bonus Reading: Matthew 5:11-12

In the late 1930s Adolf Hitler began strengthening his grip on Germany. A former submarine captain turned pastor was one of the few who dared to speak openly against what Hitler was doing, and Hitler hated him with a passion. Martin Niemoller had to be silenced.

Eventually the knock came at the door, and he was taken by the S.S. troops and put in prison. On February 7, 1938, Martin was to face his accusers in court. As Martin was led through an underground tunnel from the prison to the courtroom, suddenly he heard the words of [today's Key Bible Verse]. No speaker was visible. Was this the audible voice of God speaking courage to his troubled heart? God used that incident to bring Niemoller comfort and encouragement. (Actually, a Christian guard had learned that the acoustics in the tunnel would allow someone to whisper into the wall and to be heard at a distance).

Niemoller was acquitted of the charges against him, yet was imprisoned in a concentration camp for more than seven years. "On what charges do we send a man to prison who has been acquitted?" the prosecutor asked Hitler. The Fuehrer replied, "He is my personal prisoner!"

—Harold J. Sala in Heroes

• In the face of suffering, where do you run?

Thought to Apply: One man with courage makes a majority.

—ANDREW JACKSON (seventh president of the U.S.)

Credits: Adapted from —Friday: Heroes (Promise, 1998)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information click here.

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