THIS CROOKED THING

"Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked." Eccles. 7: 13

Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contrivng a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour.

It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him, who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power.

He will not only deliver you; but in so doing, He will give you a lesson that you will never forget and to which, in many a psalm and song, in after days, you will ever revert. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has.

"We may wait til He explains,

Because we know that Jesus reigns."

It puzzles me , but Lord, Thou understandest

And wilt one day explain this crooked thing.

Meanwhile, I know that it has worked out Thy best..

Its very crookedness taught me to cling.

Thou hast fenced up my ways, made my paths crooked,

To keep my wand'ring eyes fixed on Thee,

To make me what I was not, humble, patient;

To draw my heart from earthly love to Thee.

So I will thank and praise Thee for this puzzle;

And trust where I cannot understand

Rejoicing Thou dost hold me worth such testing;

I cling the closer to Thy guiding hand.

From STREAMS IN THE DESERT-1965