Mr. Wang, the old Chinese preacher, and his wife lived in a little mud house next to the chapel that was surrounded by a small courtyard. When persecution against the Christians began, the old couple was told not to leave the courtyard, because they might be killed. They had enough rice and other grain in the house to last them for a long time, and Christian friends brought them vegetables. But gradually the wood to cook their food was all used. Wood was hard to find in the countryside where they lived. People looked everywhere for dry sticks and grass to build fires for cooking their rice. The Wangs could not expect help from their friends, but they prayed to the Lord about their need.
One morning when they were completely out of firewood, Mrs. Wang went into the courtyard. There at her feet on the ground were some dry branches. She happily gathered them up and soon had a nice fire going, and she was able to cook their breakfast. The old couple ate their meal with thankful hearts.
But where did the branches come from?
God has His workers. In the high tree, which was standing in the courtyard, crows were building a nest. As they gathered sticks, grass and branches, they dropped many into the courtyard. The birds continued to drop them day after day, until the Wangs' little shed was filled with fuel. There were also green twigs with tender leaves on which Wangs' little goat could feed.
When the persecution was over, Mr. and Mrs. Wang gratefully told their friends how God had provided for their need.
‘Jesus! the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.’
ML-04/27/2008