Daily Devotionals

Streams in the Desert

Devotional: December 5th

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10:23)

"Lead me in a plain path." (Psalms 27:11)

Many people want to direct God, instead of resigning themselves to be directed by Him; to show him a way, instead of passively following where He leads. -- Madame Guyon

I said: "Let me walk in the field";

God said: "Nay, walk in the town";

I said: "There are no flowers there";

He said: "No flowers, but a crown."

I said: "But the sky is black,

There is nothing but noise and din";

But He wept as He sent me back,

"There is more," He said, "there is sin."

I said: "But the air is thick,

And fogs are veiling the sun";

He answered: "Yet souls are sick,

And souls in the dark undone."

I said: "I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say";

He answered me, "Choose tonight,

If I am to miss you, or they."

I pleaded for time to be given:

He said: "Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in Heaven

To have followed the steps of your Guide."

I cast one look at the fields,

The set my face to the town:

He said: "My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"

Then into His hand went mine,

And into my heart came He;

And I walk in a light Divine.

The path I had feared to see.

-- George MacDonald