Saeed Abedini, the American pastor imprisoned in Iran, writes an encouraging and beautiful letter to his daughter on her eighth birthday.Pastor Saeed Abedini wrote this letter to his daughter for her 8th birthday, which was on September 12. This is the third birthday of Rebekka’s that Pastor Saeed has missed while he languishes in an Iranian prison for his faith. Source: Samaritan’s Purse
My Dearest Rebekka Grace,
HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY!
You are growing so fast and becoming more beautiful every day. I praise God for His faithfulness to me every day as I watch from a distance through the prison walls and see pictures and hear stories of how you are growing both spiritually and physically.
Oh how I long to see you.
I know that you question why you have prayed so many times for my return and yet I am not home yet. Now there is a big WHY In your mind you are asking: WHY Jesus isn’t answering your prayers and the prayers of all of the people around the world praying for my release and for me to be home with you and our family.
The answer to the WHY is WHO. WHO is control? LORD JESUS CHRIST is in control.
I desire for you to learn important lessons during these trying times. Lessons that you carry now and for the rest of your life. The answer to the WHY is WHO. The confusion of “WHY has all of this happened?” and “WHY your prayers are not answered yet” is resolved with understanding WHO is in control…LORD JESUS CHRIST, our GOD!
God is in control of the whole world and everything that is happening in it is for His good purpose, for His glory, and will be worked out for our good (Romans 8:28). Jesus allows me to be kept here for His glory. He is doing something inside each of us and also outside in the world. People die and suffer for their Christian faith all over the world and some may wonder why? But you should know the answer of WHY is WHO. It is for Jesus. He is worth the price. And He has a plan to be glorified through our lives.
I want you to read the book of Habakkuk. He had the same question as you. But see that the Lord answered him in Habakkuk 2:3, “the vision comes and doesn’t delay on time, wait for it.” Mommy and I always had big desires to serve Jesus and had great vision to be used for His Kingdom and for His Glory. So today we pay a cost because God, who created us, called us to that.
And so I want you to know that the answer to all of your prayers is that God is in control, and He knows better than us what He is doing in our lives and all around the world.
Therefore declare as Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-‐Nego did in Daniel 3: 17-‐18!
17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
And learn and declare as Habakkuk did that even if we do not get the result that we are looking for, God is still good and we WILL praise His Holy Name.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Then my dear beloved daughter Rebekka Grace, I pray God will bring me back home soon. But if not, we will still sing together as Habakkuk did HALLELUJAH, either separated by prison walls or together at home.
So, let Daddy hear you sing a loud Hallelujah that I can hear all the way here in the prison!
I am so proud of you my sweet courageous daughter. Glory to God forever, Amen.
Kisses and Blessings,
Daddy
If I have nothing, I will always have hope. If my world crumbles and the earth quakes, I still have hope to cling to. If I hear of sickness and the dread of evil, I will not fear for I always have hope. I know that there will be a day of no more tears and no more fears.
A hope in the evidence of things unseen, which is my faith Hebrews 11:1
A hope, that now through Christ, I can draw close to God Hebrews 7:17-19
A hope, that is the anchor of my soul. Even though this life I may go through storms, trials and troubles that try to sweep me away into the waters, I will always cling to my hope, always looking ahead, always running for the prize, never doubting and finding my strength to endure in this hope Hebrews 6:1-
A hope that brings me behind the veil, into the Holy presence of our creator and Lord Jesus Christ who entered for us. This hope is sure and steadfast Hebrews 6:19
A hope that endures through the end Hebrews 6:11
A hope in eternal life and heirs to His Kingdom Titus 3:17
Ancient Paths 
Reblogged this on The love of God and commented:
Praise Him. Whatever the circumstance, PRAISE Him. Wallow in His love and in His promises. Meanwhile, He will never leave us. He will never forsake us. How do I know?
He said so.
Amen!
Great post!!!
May we all be so willing to pick up our own crosses. When Jesus asked His Father to glorify Him, He crucified Him. There is no crown without the cross.