The story of Leah Sharibu, the 15 year old Dapchi girl, who was left behind because of her faith in Jesus, is one that has challenged me faith. Amongst 105 girls 1 of them took a stand in the face of death not to betray a God she has given her lifetime to. This in itself I find too real to believe for a 15 year old.
This kind of resolution doesn't just come from going to church every Sunday or praying in tongues or holding positions in church. This could only come from a life who understood what giving her life to Jesus was and one who didn't deny Jesus in little things.
Little things like saying the truth knowing it will attract a punishment; saying no to sexual immorality despite the heightened urge; resisting the temptation of paying bribe for a job/contract; treating people well despite their ugly attitude etc. If you could deny Jesus by disobeying Him when your life wasn't threatened, will you resist the temptation of denying Him when it will cost you your life?
Before Leah came to this admirable resolution, she must have exalted God in those little things which seemingly may not matter to the Christain cycle today. Those little obedience grew into unwaving convictions that made her see joy in death rather than denying Christ to be freed. She has a grasp of that scripture that says, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." There are alot of things that should catch the fancy of a 15 year old but Leah knew better.
May God help us not to deny Him in the way we live our lives and when temptation tries our heart.