December 28, 1973 “a new book by the Nobel-winner Alexander Solzhenitsyn appeared in the Paris book markets. This book, too, was about prison--a documentary of the horrors of the Gulag Archipelago, Stalin's prison camps in central Asia, a system of inland "islands" which taken together would have been as big as the country of France. 
Trained as a mathematician, {He} found his fame as an author instead. In 1945, while serving in the Russian army, he was arrested and sent to prison for criticizing Russian dictator Josef Stalin in a letter. While in prison he met Christians whose faith impressed him, and he came to appreciate the deepened understanding of truth which comes through suffering.
The day came when he was able to say, ‘Bless you, prison, for having been in my life.’ For in prison, he recognized what a spiritual monster he had been. There he listened to his conscience; there he found God. Prison made him firm.” ¹
As we gather today to pray for each other and our loved ones, may we be reminded that our suffering as we yield to Jesus for His honor is never in vain.
“He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.” (Job 36:15 ESV)
“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also, rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1Peter 4:13 ESV)
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” (1Peter 4:19 ESV)
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Wed, Sep 6, 2017
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