Streams in the Desert April 17 Daily Devotional

The hand of the Lord hath wrought this (Job 12:9).
Several years ago there was found in an African mine the most S magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the
King of England to blaze in his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut It was put into the hands of an expert
lapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it?
He took the gem of priceless value, and cut a notch in It Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument and lo! the superb jewel
lay in his hand deft in twain. What recklessness! what wastefulness! what criminal carelessness!
Not so. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its
defects, its fines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest
care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful

lapidaries in the world.
Do you say that blow was a mistake? Nay. It was the climax of the lapidary's skill. When he stuck that blow, he did the one thing
which would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness,
radiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was, in fact, its perfect redemption. For,
from those two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which
the skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.
So, sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fan upon your fife. The blood spurts. The nerves wince. The soul cries out in agony. The blow seems to you an appalling mistake. But it is not for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe.
Some day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King. As you he In
His hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God
permits it, and works out from its depths, blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you. --J.H.McC.
In one of George MacDonald's books occurs this fragment of
conversation: "I wonder why God made me," said Mrs. Faber bitterly. "I'm sure I don't know what was the use of making me!"
"Perhaps not much yet," said Dorothy, "but then He hasn't done with you yet He is making you now, and you are quarreling with the
process."
If men would but believe that they are in process of creation, and consent to be made-let the Maker handle them as the potter the clay, yielding themselves in resplendent motion and submissive, hopeful action with the turning of His wheel-they would ere long find themselves able to welcome every pressure of that hand on them, even when it was felt in pain; and sometimes not only to
believe but to recognize the Divine end in view, the bringing of a son unto glory.
Not a single shaft can hit, Till the God of love sees fit.