Streams of Living
Waters
Entry IV
If you have yet to be led spiritually by Amy Carmichael, I
encourage you to do so. There is
so much richness in being led by a saint who has gone before you. A woman of faith and courage, who lived
from 1867-1951, Amy left her life in the British Isles to love, among many
others, the temple prostitutes of India’s caste system.
When I find myself in need of a watering for my troubled
soul, I often curl up on the couch with a blanket, my Bible, and a copy of Amy
Carmichael’s letters written to her beloved Indian “family”. And, last Sunday night was one of those
treasured meetings. The children
were tucked in bed, my husband was resting, the house was ready for another
busy week, and I needed Jesus.
Just looking at the upcoming week’s calendar made my head spin, and the
homeschooling goals for the week pressed hard upon me. I needed Jesus. I needed the risen Jesus to invade my
redeemed humanity.
Here is what God had for me, and I pass it to you. May you have the same experience of
sheer wonder that I had.
Hear the words of Amy Carmichael,
“Have you noticed
this? Whatever need or trouble you
are in, there is
always something to
help you in your Bible, if only you go on reading
till you come to the
word God specially has for you. I
have noticed this
often. Sometimes the special word is in the
portion you would naturally
read, or in the
Psalms for the Day, or maybe it is somewhere else; but you
must go on till you find it, for it is always somewhere. You will know it
the moment you come
to it, and it will rest your heart.”
Really? Was she
really suggesting that every time I have a need or trouble, if
I keep searching His Word, He will bring me to a Scripture that pertains to that need? So, because I was in need, I decided to try.
First, I named my need: renewed strength in weariness.
Second, I opened a Celtic prayer book, turned to March 18,
and began to read the assigned Scriptures. First, I read the Old Testament Scripture (no, that didn’t
relate), next the reading from the Psalms (no, that didn’t relate), then the
New Testament reading (no, that wasn’t right either). Amy said that I would know it the moment I come to it
because it would rest my heart. I
pressed on.
Third, I put away the Celtic Prayer book and tried another
devotional. My faith was wavering
at this point, but felt urged to pursue God’s holy Word for me. After reading two more Scriptures,
there it was, six Scripture passages later. I began to weep in gratitude, for I had gone on reading until
I came to the word God specially had for me. As I meditated on the Scripture, my soul was refreshed so
thoroughly.
I will spare you the remaining week’s details, except to say
that there were two additional times during the week when I had specific trouble
and need. I sat again, both times,
searching through His Word until He provided a word especially for that
trouble. I was in sheer wonder…He
led me to such soul-satisfying Scriptures.
So, please be encouraged! If He can do it for me, He can do it each of you. God’s Word is alive for you tonight,
tomorrow, this upcoming week. Name
your need before Him, and ask Him to lead you into His special Word for you.
And, if the Bible seems overwhelmingly large right now, and
you have nowhere to begin, I have two suggestions: 1) read the Scriptures He
gave to me this week (Isaiah 58:7-12 and Ephesians 3:16-21), and 2) go online,
find a yearly Bible reading schedule, and read the Scriptures for today’s date.
Remember, “you must go on till you find it, for it is always
somewhere. You will know it the moment you come to it, and it will rest your
heart.”
May we, as women of Grace Pasadena, be known for our great
dependence upon His Word.
Tanya
Books by Amy
Books by Amy
