How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2

British statesman and Prime Minister William Gladstone once said, "Justice delayed is justice denied."

Remember that. It will be important before you finish this daily devotion, which deals with a picture drawn by Antonio Peck, a kindergartner in Baldwinsville, New York.

The class assignment had been to draw a poster on how to save the world or save the environment.

Peck drew a picture of Jesus.

Although Peck's choice makes sense to me, it didn't do much for his teacher, who folded the picture and displayed it so Jesus was hidden.

Peck was devastated and his mother was outraged.

She was so outraged at the censorship of her son she sued the school district.

Do you remember Gladstone's quote about justice delayed? It is at this point in the story those words become applicable. Peck's mother has been in court for ten years now and Antonio is now a junior in high school.

I share his story with you not because it is a landmark case, nor because Antonio Peck will become a multi-millionaire if he wins the suit.

This story is shared because some people still believe in taking a stand. Peck's mom could have said, "Don't worry about it, son. Your teacher doesn't understand about Jesus and how He carried our sins and died on the cross or rose on the third day." She didn't say, "It's not important what your teacher believes as long as you and I know what we believe."

She didn't do that. She felt it was important to stand by her son and his simple childlike faith in the Christ who is the Savior of the world. For a decade she's stood by him and, although I'm not a great lover of lawsuits, I'm glad for her stand.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You, better than anyone, understands that justice doesn't always come. Although You were innocent, You were still condemned to death on the cross. For Your stand, Your sacrifice, I give thanks today. Now may we, when possible, take a stand in sharing Your salvation story with the world. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 47-48    Hebrews 2

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