Streams and Springs

Three years ago when Caleb and I were in the States during his trial of stomach pain, my dear friend, Michelle, and her mom, Jan, gave me two invaluable books:

"Streams in the Desert" and "Springs in the Valley", both by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman who was a missionary in Japan and China with her husband from 1901 to 1917. It was after their return from the mission field, and her husband's untimely death, that she wrote these devotional books.

Time and time again her thoughts and insights into God's Word have ministered to me over the years.

But there is a particular day that always speaks to me, every year that I happen upon it. Her entries in both books on June 2nd are profound.

An excerpt from "Streams" today says:

We shall never forget a remark that George Mueller once made to a gentleman who had asked him the best way to have strong faith.

"The only way," replied the patriarch of faith, "to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testing." This is very true. The time to trust is when all else fails.

As I wrestle with yet another migraine today (yes, my head is pounding as I type but when I read "Streams" today I just had to post about it as I feel certain it is a help to someone reading today), the truth of this calls out to me.

Friends of mine are enduring much greater trials right now - mine is very small. But the truth is the same for us all...our faith is being strengthened in the midst of our trials, as we unload all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Dear one, you scarcely realize the value of your present opportunity; if you are passing through great afflictions you are in the very soul of the strongest faith, and if you will only let go, He will teach you in these hours the mightiest hold upon His throne which you can ever know.