When is the Time to Trust?

This morning I was able to talk with Megan for about ten minutes. Thank you, Jesus, for Skype. Megan told me about a classic book by L.B. Cowman that she just received from a family member. Until today, I was not familiar with Mrs. Cowman.

Mrs. Cowman and her husband, Mr. Charles E. Cowman, served in Japan and China for over 15 years in the early 20th century. After Mr. Cowman became ill, Mr. and Mrs. Cowman returned to the States where Mrs. Cowman cared for her husband until his death six years later. Mrs. Cowman's adventures and lifestorms resulted in a collection of prayerful meditations and Christian writings called Streams in the Desert. I have not read a devotional in several years, but I did check out this book from the school library to see what made the 366 daily devotional readings so popular. I really like how the daily readings come from hymns, poems, and Scripture. Apparently, L.B. Cowman was greatly influenced by the "Prince of Preachers", Charles Spurgeon. Mr. & Mrs. Cowman also ministered with Oswald Chambers, the author of My Utmost for His Highest.

Megan and I have different reading tastes so we usually do not read the same kind of books. However, I enjoy hearing about what she is reading. I look forward to hearing what Megan gleans from reading Streams in the Desert in the coming year. I am also looking forward to having a conversation with L.B. Cowman one day and thanking her for her July 21st entry.

When is the time to trust?
Is it when all is calm,
When waves the victor's palm,
And life is one glad psalm
Of joy and praise?
Nay! but the time to trust
Is when the waves beat high,
When storm clouds fill the sky,
And prayer is one long cry,
O help and save!

When is the time to trust?
Is it when friends are true?
Is it when comforts woo,
And in all we say and do
We meet but praise?
Nay! but the time to trust
Is when we stand alone,
And summer birds have flown,
And every prop is gone,
All else but God.

When is the time to trust?
Is it some future day,
When you have tried your way,
And learned to trust and pray
By bitter woe?
Nay! but the time to trust
Is in this moment's need,
Poor, broken, bruised reed!
Poor, troubled soul, make speed
To trust thy God.

When is the time to trust? 
Is it when hopes beat high, 
When sunshine gilds the sky, 
And joy and ecstasy 
Fill all the heart? 
Nay! but the time to trust 
Is when our joy is fled, 
When sorrow bows the head, 
And all is cold and dead, 
All else but God. 
--Selected 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6