May 28 / Springs in the Valley by L.B. Cowman

May 28

In a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. (2 Cor. 8:2)

Joy is not gush; Joy is not jolliness. Joy is simply perfect acquiescence in God’s will, because the soul delights itself in God Himself. “I delight to do thy will,” said Jesus, though the cup was the Cross, in such agony as no man knew. It cost Him blood. Oh, take the Fatherhood of God in the blessed Son the Savior, and by the Holy Ghost; rejoice in the will of God, and nothing else. Bow down your heads and your hearts before God, and let the will, the blessed will of God, be done.
PREBENDARY WEBB-PEPLOE

“Joy and deep poverty!” Truly strange blending.
Fullness and emptiness! Contrasting themes.
Spiritual richness and temporal leanness!
None but the Spirit could wed such extremes.

“Joy and deep poverty!” Servant of Jesus,
Doth it perplex that thy portion is this?
Doth it offend that reward for thy faithfulness
Seemeth to lie much in things thou must miss?

“Joy and deep poverty!” Pause thee, and ponder!
Joy for thy spirit—the world cannot give;
If therewith leanness—extreme limitation—
 Mayhap ‘tis by e’en such need thou shalt LIVE!
J. DANSON SMITH

One of the happiest men who ever lived— Saint Francis de Assisi—was one of the poorest.

Cowman, L. B. E.. Springs in the Valley (pp. 163-164). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.