(or "what if...")
I received a copy of an updated edition of "Streams in the Desert" in the mail Saturday. It came from the same dear sister in Christ who I mentioned in Saturday's post. She has gleaned tremendous encouragement and comfort from this book and blessed me with a copy of my own!Sunday I visited another friend whose baby has spent his entire life (going on 7 weeks now) in the hospital. He is currently scheduled for heart surgery tomorrow. She asked me if I ever got really discouraged (!) especially when seeing other people's kids getting better and going home. She shared how hard it was to keep thinking he was getting better and could come home, only to have another setback and another massive change in plans. I shared some of the things I've learned but left feeling woefully inadequate.
Then I read today's devotional from my new book, and it all fell into place. I copied this for her, but wanted to post it here as well. It is the cry of my heart that this simple, in the moment trust in God will become a characteristic of me.
June 9
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." Psalm 37:3
I once met a poor woman who earned a meager living through hard domestic labor but was a joyful, triumphant Christian. Another Christian lady, who was quite sullen, said to her one day, "Nancy, I understand your happiness today, but I would think your future prospects would sober you. Suppose, for instance, you experience a time of illness and are unable to work. Or suppose your present employers move away, and you cannot find work elsewhere. Or suppose -- "
"Stop!" cried Nancy. "I never 'suppose.' 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want' [Psalm 23:1] And besides, " she added to her gloomy friend, "it's all that 'supposing' that's making you so miserable. You'd better give that up and simply trust the Lord."
The following Scripture is one that will remove all the "supposing" from a believer's life if received and acted on in childlike faith: "Be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
There's a stream of trouble across my path;
It is dark and deep and wide.
Bitter the hour the future hath
When I cross its swelling tide.
But I smile and sing and say:
"I will hope and trust alway;
I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorroww,
But I'll borrow none today."
Tomorrow's bridge is a dangerous thing;
I dare not cross it now.
I can see its timbers sway and wing,
And its arches reel and bow.
O heart, you must hope alway;
You must sing and trust and say:
"I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow,
But I'll borrow none today."
The eagle that soars at great altitudes does not worry about how it will cross a river.
