“ Many times over the years when I read Streams in the Desert , it spoke to me about what I was going through at that time .”
“ So very many times , our Lord has spoken directly to me through one of its messages on precisely the day I needed the exact encouragement or wisdom it offered .”
These are just two of the insights that several fellow missionaries at the One Mission Society World Headquarters shared with me recently when I asked about Streams in the Desert . This was a common theme … God has often used Streams to bring them comfort and encouragement during specific times of trials and struggles . Over the last 100 years , during which Streams has never been out of print , this small devotional book has touched the lives of people around the world .
So , what is Streams in the Desert ?
When OMS cofounders Charles and Lettie Cowman returned to Los Angeles from Japan in 1917 , they had no idea of the hardships they would face . Charles was worn down from his never-ending work in Asia , and in 1918 , he suffered a heart attack that began six years of physical pain and suffering before his death in September 1924 . Lettie encouraged him through Scriptures , prayers , and words of hope that God led her to in a variety of books , publications , and newspapers .
Lettie began sharing these words of encouragement as daily readings entitled Streams in the Desert in God ’ s Revivalist ( the official publication of God ’ s Bible School and College ). In 1924 , OMS decided to print a limited run of 3,000 copies of a devotional that included many of these readings . The advertisement in The Oriental Missionary Standard magazine ( now OMS Outreach ) said , “ Letters have come in from all quarters of the rich blessing [ the daily readings ] have brought to troubled hearts , and many have expressed the hope that they would be put in book form , and here they are ! 340 pages of refreshing streams that will flood your soul with grace and blessings , and help you to launch out into deeper experiences of God ’ s love .”
Many people were touched by Streams in the Desert and encouraged Mrs . Cowman to republish it after Charles ’ death . She and OMS decided to move forward ; she revised the original publication , rearranging some readings and selecting different Scripture passages for others . In 1925 ,
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