By Cal Zastrow
The trial for the Detroit 7 concluded on Tuesday, August 20.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of times, I have invited Christians to minister on the streets in front of baby-murder mills. The primary Bible passage that I, and many others, use is Proverbs 24:10-12. Never ever, have I heard these verses declared with greater authority, with a greater anointing from the Holy Spirit than I did at the conclusion of our trial. The “guilty” verdict was quite predictable. Before that was pronounced, Heather gave her closing argument, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking God’s Word:
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
Yes, the seven of us could each get eleven years in federal prison, but the maximum penalty is not likely. We all rejoiced that we were blessed to be found worthy to suffer for loving and obeying Jesus, but the defendant glowing with the most peace was Rescuer Heather, while the U.S. Marshals were chaining and shackling her in the courtroom to be taken back to jail.
Yes, pretty Christian songs and popular poetry have been written in comfortable studios, but the ones most cherished are written in pain, in dungeons, in sorrow, in suffering.
Here is the newest poem written by Rescuer Heather, last week, in the Livingston County Jail:
HOW CAN I PLEASE YOU, LORD?
Lord I come before Your throne
a beggar and a child
I think what I need most is
is to know what makes you smile
A life laid down before You –
I haven’t much to give –
But oh, to please You, Father!
And within Your courts to live!
To boldly trust in confidence,
and never fear for lack;
To show You faith unfaltering
and never shrinking back …
To pour myself out in obedience
and patiently run this race –
To be a “good soldier for Jesus,”
proclaiming Your truth and grace.
Whatever the tests and trials,
with faith and Your Word for my sword –
Only to please You, Savior!
that alone would be my reward.