G-d Knows

My tattered copy of Streams

A book I've used for over 40 years

Since the early 70's, I have enjoyed the daily devotional Streams in the Desert,** by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman.

Yes, the language is quite old-fashioned, but I find it precious and enjoy it immensely.  The devotionals often use poetry, and those poems have been a great influence on my own poetic pieces.








The following devotional deeply touched me. I hope it encourages you, dear readers.

(I have taken the liberty to change the name of G-d to reflect my honor and respect of His Holy Name.  I've also made some personal observations at the end.)

G-d Knows

"He knoweth the way that I take" (Job 23:10).

Believer! What a glorious assurance! This way of thine--this, it may be, a crooked, mysterious, tangled way--this way of trial and tears. "He knoweth it." The furnace seven times heated--He lighted it. There is an Almighty Guide knowing and directing our footsteps, whether it be to the bitter Marah pool, or to the joy and refreshment of Elim.

That way, dark to the Egyptians, has its pillar of cloud and fire for His own Israel. The furnace is hot; but not only can we trust the hand that kindles it, but we have the assurance that the fires are lighted not to consume, but to refine; and that when the refining process is completed (no sooner--no later) He brings His people forth as gold.

When they think Him least near, He is often nearest. "When my spirit was overwhelmed, then thou knewest my path."

Do we know of ONE brighter than the brightest radiance of the visible sun, visiting our chamber with the first waking beam of the morning; an eye of infinite tenderness and compassion following us throughout the day, knowing the way that we take?

The world, in its cold vocabulary in the hour of adversity, speaks of "Providence"--"the will of Providence"--"the strokes of Providence." PROVIDENCE! what is that?

Why dethrone a living, directing G-d from the sovereignty of His own earth? Why substitute an inanimate, death-like abstraction, in place of an acting, controlling, personal Adonai?

How it would take the sting from many a goading trial, to see what Job saw (in his hour of aggravated woe, when every earthly hope lay prostrate at his feet)--no hand but the Divine. He saw that hand behind the gleaming swords of the Sabeans--he saw it behind the lightning flash--he saw it giving wings to the careening tempest--he saw it in the awful silence of his rifled home.

"The L-rd gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the L-rd!"

Thus seeing G-d in everything, his faith reached its climax when this once powerful prince of the desert, seated on his bed of ashes, could say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." --Macduff

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I agree with the author, when she asks, "Providence?  What's that?"  I also feel sad when people give credit to "the universe".  I have a loving Father who is very involved in my life and with whom I communicate daily.  I see His hand moving in my life in every circumstance of every day, no matter how joyous or painful.

Having lived over sixty years, I have been through many fires of affliction and trial myself, so I identify with and relate to my ancestor, Job.  I, too, have learned to say,  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him"  and  and "The L-rd gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the L-rd!"

I did not learn this over night, believe me.  There have been times I've thought, L-rd, what are you doing?  Can this be right? I don't understand why you have allowed this.  But over time, as I have seen all things work together for my good, I know Him to be a kind, loving, tender Heavenly Father, and have learned to trust all His dealings with me. 

****  

**My first volume of Streams was discovered at a garage sale.  That copy was read daily, and completely worn out, so I purchased another used copy.  I've made many notes in both copies, and I treasure them as a sort of journal of my walk with the L-rd over the last 40 years.    My second copy, too, is now falling apart, so I'm looking for another.  I want an old (antique) version, as both of mine were published over 50 years ago.

Recently, I was delighted to find the Streams devotionals  at CrossWalk on line,  because now I can not only read them online, but also share them with others. I can't tell you how many times I have made copies of a day's devotion to give or mail to a friend, and this will make it so much easier.   Here is the link, and I hope you enjoy and are blessed by this daily devotional as much as I:  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/

Shalom Y'all!

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