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Listen while you read: "Like A River Glorious"1
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Luke 16:10a – He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. (KJV)
Luke 19:17 – And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. (KJV)
By now, most of the North American continent, if not the world, knows of the finding and rescue of Rita Chretien of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. This extraordinary woman survived for 49 days from March 19th to May 6th, stuck in a van off a logging road in the vast backwoods of Nevada, USA, living each day on only a bit of trail mix, a hard candy, fish oil pills, and water that she melted from snow or collected from a stream.
She and her husband had set out for a trade show in Las Vegas and took what they thought was a shortcut, on which their van eventually became stuck. After three days, her husband set out for help. Tragically, he has not ever been found.
During her ordeal, it is reported that she wrote in her journal, and read books and her Bible every day.
How many among us believe that we are capable of keeping true to this deep faith, this strict self-discipline … especially where food rationing is concerned, for those of us who constantly fight the battle of the bulge because we revert back to our old ways?
I am reminded of my father who, as a trapper in northeastern British Columbia back in the 1930s, survived six winter months in pain and alone, except for his dog, in a rugged trapper's cabin, with both feet severely frostbitten to the point that he was afraid that he would lose some toes. Toward the end of his ordeal, he was burning what little furniture there was for fuel. He, too, possessed a quiet determination and a strong faith. When he emerged in the spring, feet finally healed enough to walk out, the first person he met said that he thought that my dad had died because no one had seen him in so long.
There is a saying, "If God takes you to it, He will take you through it." My constant wonder is whether I would have what it takes to rely that deeply on my faith and have the self-discipline to ration my supplies. Such a question can only be answered for sure if we are put in a similar situation. However, continuing to work on strengthening our faith through prayer, reading and listening to the Word of God, resisting temptation in whatever form, and most of all, striving to live a thankful, positive-thinking, Spirit-driven life is definitely the path to take.
Prayer: O God of all, may we continue to strengthen our faith in Your presence in our lives and in the ability You have given each of us to believe also in ourselves. In Your name, we pray and give thanks for each day. Amen.
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About the author:
Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Hello Mary
God bless your dad for all he endured! I can only hope I could withstand all that he went through. One thing I know for sure… What I have gone through which is nothing in comparison, but God got me through it!!!
God bless.
So good to reread this previous devotional of yours, Mary. It is amazing what situations our loving Lord can bring us through. He certainly is ever deserving of our constant praise and thankfulness. Many blessings for the many devotional writings you have written and delivered to the Daily Devotional Program.
Hello Mary
Wow! Amazing the determination God can give us!
God bless.
It was very interesting reading another of your previously written devotionals today. I had not heard about that happening to Rita Chretien before. What an experience she managed to get through and her faith surely brought her through all of it. Trust and faith in our loving Lord can certainly give amazing results and He certainly is ever deserving of our constant reverence. Many blessings for these writings you have prepared and submitted in past years.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us again today. As I sit munching on a breakfast roll, I wonder if I could go without sufficient food for long periods of time as my mother did when she was a child back during the Great Depression. Her experiences caused her labor into the night hours to send off “care packages” to destitute people in various parts of the world. Just before she died, she woke from a coma, sat up in her hospital bed, hugged the “air” and cried out one word, “Jesus”! Our Lord came for her himself. On seeing this her care nurse became a believer. Our compassionate God is so amazing! Thanks again for sharing. Blessings.