Daniel Chapter 3 tells the story of 3 brave men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. King Nebuchadnezzar had made a golden statue and at the sound of the music everyone was to bow down and worship the image. With death by fiery furnace a certainty, these 3  Israelites unhesitatingly refused to dishonor the one true God by bowing to the image. Their trust in Him was implicit: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace. . . But even if He does not. . . we are not going to serve your gods.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

Esther Ahn Kim (Ahn E. Sook) was faced with a similar choice – bow to the pagan Japanese shrine or face imprisonment. Her defiance was obvious as the lone figure standing among thousands of kneeling people. The next 6 years brought unimaginable trials but through it all Esther stood firm in her faith. If I Perish is the story of this brave woman of God who survived the brutality and shame of prison while leading many to Christ.

Three Israelite men, one Korean woman. Four people who displayed a  Hebrews 11 kind of faith. Four people who could also be described as saints “of whom the world was not worthy.” (Hebrews 11:38) Read Esther’s story to be inspired and challenged in your own faith.

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