From the book, Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman, edited by James Reimann.

October 2

"He took them with him and they withdrew by themselves" - Luke9:10

In order to grow in grace, we must spend a great deal of time in quiet solitude. Contact with others in society is not what causes the soul to grow vigorously. In fact, one quiet hour of prayer will often yield greater results than many days spent in the company of others. It is in the desert that the dew is freshest and the air is most pure. Andrew Bonar

Come with me by yourselves and rest awhile,
I know you're weary of the stress and throng,
Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,
And in My quiet strength again by strong.

Come now aside from all the world holds dear,
For fellowship the world has never known,
Alone with Me, and with My Father here,
With Me and with My Father, not alone.

Come, tell Me all that you have said and done,
Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
I know how hardened hearts are wooed and won;
My choicest wreathes are always wet with tears.

Come now and rest; the journey is too great,
And you will faint beside the way and sink;
The bread of life is here for you to eat,
And here for you the wine of love to drink.

Then from fellowship with your Lord return,
And work till daylight softens into even;
Those brief hours are not lost in which you learn
More of your Master and His rest in Heaven.


I think I am always the busy-bee buzzing around different places and activities such as studying, printing notes, revising..etc. Seldom do I rest and spend "a great deal of time in quiet solitude". In solitude, yes but not quiet. These days I am preparing for my Japanese which I am rather fearful of. No matter how much I revise and practice but the test results more often than not, reflect my effort put in. In the end, I study harder and almost neglect other subjects. Now everything is piling up so high that I felt so... helpless... wanting to give up.

What I need is in fact, the quiet time of solitude and prayers.. Find rest my soul. Spend time with my God, my dearest Father.. the journey is too great. I mean this is only the "Study" journey what so tough can it be? Seriously I have no idea. It is the pressure I gave myself.. wanting to strive for A I guessed. Is A so important than enjoying the language itself? Or I am studying for the sake of studying. More importantly, I learn Japanese so that the next time a Japanese talks to me or when I am in Japan I would understand (a bit) of the conversation.

Similarly, for Quiet Time are we doing it for the sake of doing? Or are we really seeking God and praying?

Thanks Lord for letting me see what is going through my head.. I am so blind to my own weakness. Do let me see them... 11:17