In The Heavenly Places

I received a very special gift during the first raw months as I learned to embrace the thought and reality of Rick's cancer. A year later, I continue to glean from the depth of heart and wisdom in STREAMS IN THE DESERT. This powerful devotional written from Mrs. L.B. Cowman's rich experiences with life still draws me in day to day. It's abundance speaks pure peace. Today, I drink of the well of tranquility In The Heavenly Places.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ . . . and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." 

Ephesians 2:4-6

This is our rightful place, to be "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," and to "sit still" there. But how few there are who make it their actual experience! How few, indeed think even that it is possible for them to "sit still" in these "heavenly places" in the everyday life of a world so full of turmoil as this.

We may believe perhaps that to pay a little visit to these heavenly places on Sundays, or now and then in times of spiritual exaltation, may be within the range of possibility; but to be actually "seated" there every day and all day long is altogether another matter; and yet it is very plain that it is for Sundays and week-days as well.

A quiet spirit is of inestimable value in carrying on outward activities; and nothing so hinders the working of the hidden spiritual forces, upon which, after all, our success in everything really depends, as a spirit of unrest and anxiety.

There is immense power in stillness. A great saint once said, "All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent." The words are pregnant with meaning. A knowledge of this fact would immensely change our ways of working. Instead of restless struggles, we would "sit down" inwardly before the Lord, and would let the Divine forces of His Spirit work out in silence the ends to which we aspire. You may not see or feel the operations of this silent force, but be assured it is always working mightily, and will work for you, if you only get your spirit still enough to be carried along by the currents of its power.

~Hannah Whitall Smith

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel says:

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, 

                  in quietness and trust is your strength."  

  Isaiah 30:15

When God lets us see

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

It had been nearly a decade since we began asking God to save him. Husband and I, through faithfulness of love, presented grace prayers, unceasing, full of fervency, full of hope, and beckoning mercy, to the One who calls His children by name. (Hebrews 4:16).

By name.
Yes, He knew his name. From before creation, He knew his name.
"This day they will meet...", God spoke, "...husband's father and my Son, the King."
And so it was done.

Today is the day. 
Everyday is the day.
Today I pray. Today I hold hope. Today I wait. Expectantly.
Everyday God is working, even when I don't see.

Yet, there are those treasured occasions in the life of a believer when God lets us see.
Priceless reward of labor, of faith prayers and witness, of speaking forth life breath and truth that seems to dissipate into blank stares; heaven-induced labor, man weary, but Spirit strong, that lead to divine fruition.
The reward of healing, of restoration, of receiving. Of salvation.
These things, these holy gifts, God Himself delights in daily; for His good pleasure, He says, "Yes", and sometimes He says, "Yes" to us and graciously lets us see.

Deep tears flooded to surface as his nervous steps took forth proclaiming his heart choice to believe. Past memories of love rejected, heart-sinking "No's" afflicted, immediately transformed into what God had been working on all along. (2 Corinthians 6:2). This is the substance in which I hope, faith in God's work, not my own. Faith in God Alone. 


My mouth speaks loud, intercepting with words of truth, inadequate. At best, I am half crazy to not give up the fight. By sight, I see spent opportunities, painted thick with too much of this and laid thin with not enough of that. But, the Master takes with which I have offered, imperfect attempts and seemingly defeated plays, and perfects each one with inconceivable grace, showing Himself as Sovereign Ruler and Faithful Redeemer of all days. 
Today, God lets me see.


Christian, never think for a moment that you have nothing of worth to offer to the thirsty, that truth words seemingly spoken "in vain" are wasted; that love actions are useless, that God doesn't hear. Every seed planted, every plant watered, in time, in God determined time, will bear life, because God is working everyday, and sometimes He lets us see.



"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:3