The old Chinese preacher Wang and his wife lived in a little mud house next to the chapel which was surrounded by a small courtyard.
When persecution against the Christians arose, 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, especially now in the spring when people looked everywhere for dry sticks and grass with which to cook their rice. They could not expect any 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 their nest. As they gathered sticks, grass and branches, they dropped many into the courtyard. They continued to drop them day by day until the little shed was filled with fuel. There were also green twigs with tender leaves on which Wang’s little goat could feed. When the persecution was over, Mr. and Mrs. Wang told their friends how God had provided for their need.
ML-06/29/1986