The old Chinese preacher Wang and his wife lived in a little mud house next to the chapel which was surround by a small courtyard. When persecution against the Christians arose the old couple were told not to leave the courtyard on penalty of death. They had enough rice and other grain in the house to last them for some time and Christian friends brought vegetables to their gate. But gradually their fuel was exhausted. Fuel was very scarce in the countryside where they lived, especially now in the spring when people went all over the place in search of dry grass with which to cook their rice. They could not expect any help from their friends, but they told their heavenly Father all about their need.
One morning when Mrs. Wang went into the courtyard not knowing how to prepare a hot meal, she stepped on some dry branches. With joy she gathered them up and soon had a nice fire going with which she was able to cook the breakfast. The old couple ate their meal with thankful hearts.
But where did the branches come from? God has His ministers. In the high tree which was standing in the courtyard, crows were building their nest for which they were gathering sticks. It was they who had dropped those little branches and 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-04/24/1960