June 24 / Springs in the Valley by L.B. Cowman

June 24

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors through him who has loved us. (Rom. 8:37 WEYMOUTH)

The best steel is subjected to the alternatives of extreme heat and extreme cold. In a cutlery you will notice that knife blades are heated and beaten, and then heated again and plunged into the coldest water in order to give them the right shape and temper. You will also observe a large heap of rejected blades, rejected because they would not bear the tempering process; when put upon the grindstone little flaws appeared in some that up to that point had seemed perfect; others would not bear the tempering process.

Souls are heated in the furnace of affliction, plunged into the cold waters of tribulation, and ground between the upper and nether stones of adversity and disaster. Some come out ready for the highest services; others are unfit for any but the lowest uses. Would you be of account among the forces which are working out the salvation of the world? Be still in the Hands of God until He tempers you.

“Stop now!” says the Knife-blade to the Cutler. “I have been in the fire often enough! Would you burn the life out of me?”

But again it goes into the glowing furnace and is heated to white heat.

“Stop hammering! I have been pounded enough already.”

But down comes the sledge.

“Keep me out of this cold water! One moment in the fiery furnace, and the next in ice water. It is enough to kill one!” But in it goes.

“Keep me off the grindstone! You’ll chafe the life out of me!”

But it is made to kiss the stone until the Cutler is satisfied.

Now see! You may bend it double; yet it springs back straight as an arrow. It is as bright as polished silver, hard as a diamond, and will cut like a Damascus blade. It has been shaped, tempered, and polished; it is worth something.

Be still, and let God temper and polish you, and you will be worth something, too. Allow yourself to be prepared for usefulness. He will give you a post of holy renown if you will let Him fit you for it.

Be still in the furnace fire while the Holy Ghost molds and polishes your soul. R. V. LAWRENCE

Cowman, L. B. E.. Springs in the Valley (p. 188). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.