Ten years ago, Brian Nichols went on a murderous rampage at the Fulton County Courthouse in downtown Atlanta. He killed four people and injured others. Hours later, Nichols took Ashley Smith, a widowed young mother, hostage in her apartment. Smith was struggling with life and with a drug addiction. Yet God gave her the courage to remain calm during the ordeal. After several hours, she asked Nichols if she could read the book, The Purpose Driven Life. Nichols conceded and told her to read it out loud. Eventually, Ashley was able to leave the apartment and Nichols was arrested.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Isaiah 40:29

“I really believe that God spared my life because He wanted me to go around the world and tell people that He changed me,” said Smith. “You know, I didn’t do anything in my apartment that night but lay down my brokenness to God and He’s brought me to a very different place in my life in the last 10 years.”

As you spend time with the Lord, ask Him for His unlimited strength during your times of weakness. Pray also that your nation’s leaders will depend on God for their needs.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 12:2-10