NOVEMBER 4, Isaiah 41:13

“Hey, Eric, how come you’re not laughing?” asked Owen after another boy had told a distasteful joke. “Don’t you think that’s funny? Or are you just a baby who doesn’t understand jokes like that?”

Eric didn’t reply as he took his books and left to go home. “I guess I am a baby,” he thought. “I should have told the guys I didn’t laugh at that joke because I’m a Christian. Oh, well. I don’t think it would have done any good anyway, but the next time I get a chance, I’ll witness to them.”

The very next day, Eric had the chance he was looking for. “Let’s hide Joe’s pencil case,” said one of the boys at recess time. “He’s such a baby - I bet he’ll even cry about it. Here, Eric… put it in your desk. Nobody will look there.”

“Yeah,” agreed Owen, but Eric shook his head. He opened his mouth to tell them why he wouldn’t join in their unkind prank, but no words came. “Eric’s a wimp! Eric’s a wimp!” the boys chanted over and over when they couldn’t persuade him to join them. They walked away, laughing.

That night, Eric told his father what had happened. “I remember a day when you were very small,” Dad said thoughtfully. “You couldn’t walk by yourself on the sidewalk, and you fell several times before you finally let me hold your hand.” Dad smiled as he remembered. “I think you’re trying to ‘go it alone’ again - this time in your spiritual walk,” he added. “God says He’ll ‘hold your hand.’ In other words, He’ll help you. Ask Him, and trust Him to do that.”

The next day, Owen approached Eric. “Hey, man! Are you grown up enough to join the gang I hang out with?” asked Owen.

“Lord, please help me to be a brave witness,” Eric prayed silently. He took a deep breath. “I’m a Christian,” he said, “and God wouldn’t be proud of me if I did that.” He hesitated, and then hurried on. “Why don’t you join me instead?” he asked. “I go to church every Sunday – you’d like it.” Eric sighed. Well, at least I spoke up, even if it isn’t doing any good, he thought. Just then, Eric was startled to hear Owen say, “You really think I’d like it, Eric?” He laughed. “I doubt it, but I’ll give it a try, and it better be good!”

Thought: Trust Jesus to “hold your hand,” and then speak up for Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to be brave and do the right thing even when others ask me to join them in wrong activities. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.