A CHINESE farmer had become a Christian and Was much hated therefore by the other villagers. Hover, he took all their persecution in a quiet, gentle spirit.
Then came a critical time. It had not rained for some weeks. The fields became very dry and the precious harvest was in danger. In the village was a pond and this water was only used in an emergency such as this. Each fanner was allowed to pump a certain amount of water into his fields in a certain time. They fixed the time for the Christian farmer just at the time whom he was going to town on Sunday morning to worship with his brothers and sisters in Christ. His pagan neighbors said, we shall see how much he values his foreign religion. They were much surprised, however, to see him as usual, early on Lord’s day morning going to town with his Bible.
After the morning worship he asked his brethren to help him with their prayers that he might get his right amount of water for his fields. They all united in prayer for this request. When he went home in the afternoon, dark clouds began to gather. The people shouted for joy. The rain was coming. It came down in torrents. When the Christian farmer neared the village, he saw that the fields of his neighbors were overflowing with water. The rapid current had disrooted many of the precious, tender rice plants and swept them away. But his fields had just the right amount of water and no damage was done. How he thanked God!
The villagers saw the hand of God in it and from that time on the Christian farmer was allowed to live in peace. They even listened to him preach about the wonderful Saviour of the world. O how good it is to know Him personally, even as one of old could say, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20).
ML-11/06/1960