Daily Devotion

“Why are these left all the years through unsought? For the simple reason that they have escaped all the turmoil and attrition of the waves, and the quiet and peace have left them as they found them, rough and angular and devoid of beauty. Polish comes through trouble. Since God knows what niche we are to fill, let us trust Him to shape us to it. Since He knows what work we are to do, let us trust Him to drill us to the proper preparation.”

Mrs. Cowman · Streams in the Desert, July 7

Scripture

Isaiah 49:2 He made my mouth like a sharp knife and hid me under the shadow of his hand; he made me a polished arrow and hid me in his quiver.

Reflection

Hidden in the shadows of God's palms is not abandonment, but protection; hidden in the quiver is not uselessness, but preparation. In the dark corners of persecution, God, like a sharpened knife and arrowhead, prunes the shepherd's life. This long wait and solitude is divine preparation. When the missionary foundation extends its invitation, the arrow, originally hidden in the shadows, is shot into the bullseye at God's appointed moment, emitting a pure and powerful radiance, becoming a testimony to changing the times.