Take root downward, and bear fruit upward. (Isa. 37:31)
Why is it that the mountain hemlocks can attain such stateliness in spite of fierce winter gales and crushing snows? If you look at one of them closely you will see that it has foliage almost as delicate as a fir, its dark needles being as dainty as fairy feathers. Yet if you try to break a twig or a bough you will learn that therein lies the strength and the tenacious power of the hemlock. It will bend and yield but it will not break. Winds may whip and toss it this way and that, but they cannot break it—nor can elements, however fierce, pull its roots out of the ground. For months it may have its graceful form held down by a mighty weight of snow, but when the warm breath of summer winds and the melting influence of summer’s sun relieve it of its burden it straightens up as proud and as noble as it was before.
Beautiful, wonderful hemlock of the mountains—what a lesson you bring to us! Though we may be storm-tossed and bent by the winds of sorrow, we need not be crushed and broken if our souls are anchored to the Rock of Ages.
Lord, make me strong!
Let my soul rooted be Afar from vales of rest,
Flung close to heaven upon a great Rock’s breast,
Unsheltered and alone, but strong in Thee.
What though the lashing tempests leave their scars?
Has not the Rock been bruised?
Mine, with the strength of ages deep infused,
To face the storms, and triumph with the stars!
Lord, plant my spirit high upon the crest
Of Thine eternal strength!
Then, though life’s breaking struggles come at length,
Their storms shall only bend me to Thy breast.
DOROTHY CLARK WILSON
Cowman, L. B. E.. Springs in the Valley (p. 160). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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