September 23rd
"Thank God for the fleas?"
Corrie ten Boom in ~The Hiding Place~ relates an incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp that they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. On entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and flea-infested.
That morning, their Scripture reading in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to give rejoice always, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings. During the many months spent at the prison camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible studies and prayer meetings without guard interference.
It was not until several months later that they learned the reason the guards would never enter the barracks. Fleas!!!
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
Among the many acts of gratitude we owe to God, it may be accounted one to study and contemplate the perfections and beauties of His work of creation. Every new discovery must necessarily raise in us a fresh sense of the greatness, wisdom, and power of God.
~Jonathan Edwards
Heaven
