In the quiet corners of China, where faith must often hide in the shadows, believers gather with hearts full of both sorrow and hope. Their voices rise in whispered hymns, their prayers offered in secret spaces, yet their devotion burns as brightly as any cathedral flame. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ who know intimately what it means to worship in spirit and truth, even when—especially when—the world around them grows dark.
Today, during this season when we celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake, many Chinese pastors sit behind bars. Their crime? Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their punishment? Separation from family, isolation from their flocks, and the daily uncertainty that comes with imprisonment. Yet from these very cells, stories of extraordinary faith continue to emerge, reminding us that no prison can contain the hope of the Gospel.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Timeless Words
When we consider the plight of our Chinese brothers and sisters, many of us recall the powerful hymn "By Gracious Power," written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer from his Nazi prison cell on New Year's Day, 1944. The German theologian, facing his own persecution and ultimate execution, penned these words that continue to minister to persecuted believers around the world:
By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered
and confidently waiting, come what may,
we know that God is with us night and morning,
and never fails to meet us each new day.
These words carry special weight when we imagine Chinese house church leaders singing them in basement gatherings or holding them close during interrogations. Like Bonhoeffer, they understand that true spiritual shelter comes not from favorable circumstances but from the gracious power of Almighty God.
The Cup of Suffering, Gladly Received
Perhaps even more powerful are Bonhoeffer's words about accepting God's will even when it brings suffering:
And when the cup you give is filled to brimming
with bitter suffering, hard to understand,
we take it gladly, trusting though with trembling,
out of so good and so beloved a hand.
How different this perspective is from our Western tendency to view suffering as something to be avoided at all costs! The persecuted church in China teaches us that suffering, when received from God's hand, can be a means of grace. It purifies our faith, deepens our dependence on Him, and creates an intimacy with Christ that prosperity often cannot.
These believers remind us that the same Jesus who wept at Lazarus's tomb also willingly walked to the cross. He understands suffering not as a distant observer but as one who drank deeply from the cup of human pain. When Chinese Christians face interrogation or imprisonment, they join a fellowship of suffering that includes not only Bonhoeffer and countless martyrs throughout history, but Christ himself.
Joy After Sorrow
Bonhoeffer's hymn doesn't end with suffering. It looks forward to the restoration that comes after trial:
If once again, in this mixed world, you give us
the joy we had, the brightness of your sun,
we shall recall what we have learned through sorrow,
and dedicate our lives to you alone.
This is the hope that sustains persecuted believers—not just the hope of eventual relief, but the deeper hope that their suffering is not wasted. They trust that God is using even their darkest moments to accomplish His purposes, both in their own hearts and in the hearts of those who witness their faithfulness.
Lessons for the Free Church
What can we in the free world learn from our suffering brothers and sisters in China? First, we can learn to value the freedom we have to worship openly while we have it. Too often, we take for granted our ability to gather publicly, sing boldly, and speak freely about our faith.
Second, we can learn what truly matters in our faith. When everything external is stripped away—buildings, programs, social acceptance—what remains? The persecuted church shows us that what remains is Jesus himself, and that is enough.
Third, we can learn to pray more faithfully for those who suffer. Our prayers are not mere words cast into the void; they are powerful weapons in the spiritual battle being fought in China and around the world.
Standing in Solidarity
As we go about our daily lives, let us not forget those who this very day are choosing faithfulness over freedom, truth over safety. Let us pray for strength for those in prison, comfort for families separated by persecution, and boldness for leaders who continue to shepherd their flocks despite the risks.
Let us also examine our own hearts. Are we prepared to trust God's goodness even when His plan includes difficulty? Can we, like Bonhoeffer and our Chinese brothers and sisters, receive suffering from God's beloved hand?
The persecuted church in China offers us a masterclass in faith under fire. They show us that true worship is not dependent on buildings or favorable circumstances, but on hearts surrendered to the God who is with us "night and morning" and "never fails to meet us each new day."
May their example inspire us to deeper faith, more fervent prayer, and greater dedication to the One who first suffered for us all.
Comentarios