…continuation…
“Where is he?” Thomas paced back and forth. “This was a bad idea.”
Annoyed, Matthew looked up at Thomas from where he was sitting. “Calm down, Thomas. Have you no faith in Prince Joshua? He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself. He’ll be along shortly.”
“But what if Rasha…”
Matthew set his book down on the little table with a thud. “Thomas, do not think for a moment that Rasha can overtake the Prince. As much as he would like to think that he’s more powerful, he is not. He is still completely under the Prince’s authority.”
“Oh.” Thomas sat on the bed humbled and embarrassed by the rebuke.
Just then the motel door opened and Joshua walked in. Both men quickly stood to their feet. “Sorry I was late. I was telling a group of children about Miskana and the King.” Turning his full attention to Matthew he asked, “Any word of Adi?”
“Yes, sir, I discovered that she is to be brought to trial the day after tomorrow.” Matthew said soberly.
Joshua sighed, “They’re not wasting any time are they?” A heaviness settled over the room as the three men stood silently, lost in their own thoughts. Joshua at last broke the silence, “We had best get some dinner and discuss our plans for tomorrow.”
**************************
The next day was spent walking the streets of Soteria giving a helping hand to those who needed it and sharing the story of King Penuel’s love for them. By the end of the day the rumors were circulating throughout the city that there was a man claiming to be the Prince of Miskana who wanted to marry the criminal, Adi. Most rolled their eyes and waved the talebearer away. Others were intrigued and curious by the story while the imaginations of the little girls carried them away on dreams of romance.
“Hey, Adi, I hear your Prince is here!” A big hefty woman with short cropped hair cackled.
Curled up on her bunk, Adi straightened up and looked at the woman in the next cell across from hers. “What did you say?”
“Marta’s mother, who visited her today, told her that she had heard from a friend who said there was a man in Soteria claiming to be Prince Joshua from Miskana. Rumor also has it that he wants to marry you!” The inmate burst into hysterical laughter. “Hey everybody, we’ve got a Princess here! Better be nice to her!” Laughter was heard from other surrounding cells.
Adi glared at the woman and then retreated to the farthest corner of her bed. Could it be true? If this Joshua is real, why would he want me? Adi’s thoughts tumbled over one another. What if he’s mean and wants to make me even more miserable? Her eyes widened in fear at the thought. No. Matthew said he loved me. Oh, that makes it worse! I would never be able to face him, not after all the things I’ve done! She paused in her thoughts, After all the things I’ve done… Adi curled her knees up to her chest in an attempt to hide. He could never love you, Adi! The all too familiar voice inside her accused.
…to be continued
The Inner Workings of the Story:
Have you noticed that when Adi is lost in thought, she is in the first person, but then it’s as if another person breaks into her thoughts using the word “you” instead of the word “I”? He could never love you, Adi! Have you ever heard that voice before in your thoughts, accusing you? We are told in various places in scripture that Satan accuses us not only to ourselves but to God as well. In an attempt to hold us in bondage, He wants to deceive us into thinking that Jesus could never love us or forgive us for our past. It’s just not true. Jesus came to offer forgiveness to all with no exceptions. The apostle Paul, claimed to be the “chiefest of sinners” because he persecuted and killed Christians, and yet Jesus still forgave him and called him to spread the Gospel. If he can forgive Paul, he can forgive you. Will you let him?
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night.- Revelation 12:10
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