Special to Him

Last week a story popped into my mind that I had read a few years ago. I looked it up and reread it. I thought I'd share it here. The story is in Streams In the Desert 2 by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. It came from the Pittsburgh Bible Institute Publications.

"There is a beautiful story told of how one Christian dreamed that she saw three others at prayers. As they knelt the Master drew near to them.

"As He approached the first of the three, He bent down over her in tenderness and grace, with a smile full of radiant love and spoke to her in accents of purest, sweetest music. Leaving her, He came to the next but only placed His hand upon her bowed head, and gave her one look of loving approval. The third woman He passed almost abruptly without stopping for a word or glance. The woman in her dream said to herself, 'How greatly He must love that first one, to the second He gave His approval, but none of the special demonstrations of love He gave the first; and the third must have grieved Him deeply, for He gave her no word at all and not even a passing look.

"'I wonder what she had done, and why He made so much difference between them?' And she tried to account for the action of her Lord, He Himself stood by her said: 'O woman! how wrongly hast thou interpreted Me. The first kneeling woman needs all the weight of My tenderness and care to keep her feet in My narrow way. She needs My love, thought and help every moment of the day. Without it she would fail and fall. the second has stronger faith and deeper love, and I can trust her to trust Me however things may go and whatever people do.'

'"The third, whom I seemed not to notice, and even to neglect, has faith and love of the finest quality, and her I am training by quick drastic processes for the highest and holiest service. She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so utterly, that she is independent of words or looks or any outward intimation of My approval. She is not dismayed nor discouraged by any circumstance through which I arrange that she shall pass; she trusts Me when sense and reason and every finer instinct of the natural heart would revel;--because she knows that I am working in her for eternity, and that what I do, though she knows not the explanation now, she shall understand hereafter.'

"'I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of human hearts to understand, and also for your sakes that you may learn to love and trust Me in Spirit-taught, spontaneous response to My love, without the spur of anything outward to call it forth.'"

Our God gives each one of us exactly what we need to live for Him, serve Him and love Him. He doesn't treat us all the same. Each one of us is special to Him, and He knows what will help us on our journey the best. 

The Scripture verse of this devotion is Zephaniah 3:17, "He will be silent in His love." Other versions say "quiet in His love" and "quiet you with His love" and "rest in His love."

Godsbless.ing.com: The image of God quieting us with His love is incredibly comforting. We can find peace and solace in the unwavering love of our Heavenly Father amidst life's chaos, troubles, and uncertainties. He soothes our worries, fears, and anxieties with His infinite love, allowing us to rest secure in His embrace. This verse serves as a gentle reassurance that no matter what challenges we face, God is there, singing over us in delight and calming us with His boundless love. So, take heart and find solace in the profound truth that you are cherished, celebrated, and comforted by the One who loves you most."

By His Grace . . .