Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (4) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:44–45

Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (4)
Cambodian Koeun, who has experienced terrible things while fleeing from the Khmer Rouge, ends up in prison in a neighbouring country. There, he comes to faith in the Lord Jesus. Soon he feels that he owes everything to Christ and that He expected Koeun to forgive the Khmer Rouge in his heart, just as He forgave His tormentors on the cross. Koeun reports:

“I understood very well what Jesus demanded of me. But I didn’t have the strength to do it. It was too painful, too difficult. I still saw the battered body of my niece Navoth in my mind’s eye … The thought tore wounds in my soul that were far from healed, leaving a strange feeling in my stomach, a bitter taste, and a desire for revenge.

Instinctively, I straightened up on my stiff wooden plank, clenched my fists, gritted my teeth, and tensed every muscle in my body until it hurt. A merciless, black flood of hatred swelled in my heart. The anger at the Khmer Rouge, which had been building up inside me, now erupted again.

What Jesus demanded of me almost tore my heart out. But I knew I had to obey and trust; to forgive, as I had been forgiven. I couldn’t deny the one who had been dead and buried for many years without denying myself. But I felt that this was beyond my strength. I needed help. I was completely desperate.

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today’s reading: Leviticus 4:27-35 · Psalms 50:16-23