May 23 / Springs in the Valley by L.B. Cowman

May 23

Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Hab. 2:3)

Some things have their cycle in an hour and some in a century; but His plans shall complete their cycle whether long or short. The tender annual which blossoms for a season and dies, and the Columbian aloe which develops in a century, each is true to its normal principle. Many of us desire to pluck our fruit in June rather than wait until October, and so, of course, it is sour and immature; but God’s purposes ripen slowly and fully, and faith waits while He tarries, knowing He will surely come and will not tarry too long.

It is perfect rest to fully learn and wholly trust this glorious promise. We may know without a question that His purposes shall be accomplished when we have fully committed our ways to Him, and are walking in watchful obedience to His every prompting. This faith will give a calm and tranquil poise to the spirit and save us from the restless fret of trying to do too much ourselves. Wait, and every wrong will righten;

Wait, and every cloud will brighten, If you will only wait.
A. B. SIMPSON

How much depends upon knowing when the time is exactly ripe! Not to interfere before the crisis arrives; not to let the opportunity pass when the crisis has arrived. This power of discernment, of patience, of promptitude, is a gift of superlative value.

Who knows the psychological moment like the Keeper of Israel? He does not interfere too soon; He allows the enemy rope enough to hang himself; He waits until His people know their weakness and peril, and are shut up to Him. He does not interpose too late; at the critical juncture He smites the pride of His people.

We see in nature how precisely God works by the clock; certainly He is not less exact in the times and seasons of human life. We often speak of “the hour and the man”; let us remember “the hour and the God.”

Cowman, L. B. E.. Springs in the Valley (pp. 157-158). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.