Because of his age, the Roman proconsul gave Polycarp a final chance
to live. He just had to swear by Caesar and say, “Take away the atheists”
(at that time Christians were called atheists for refusing to worship the
Greek and Roman gods). Polycarp looked at the roaring crowds, gestured
to them, and proclaimed, “Take away the atheists!”
The proconsul continued, “Swear, and I will let you go. Reproach Christ!”
Polycarp turned to the proconsul and boldly declared, “Eighty-six
years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I
blaspheme my King Who saved me?”
Polycarp
Psalm 34:4-10 (NLT)
4I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:15-19 (NLT)
15The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.