Rosalind's Test

When Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth were in their fourth year in China as missionaries, their little eighteen-month-old son became very ill with dysentery. After several days' fight for the child's life they realized that he was dying.

Rosalind wrote, "My whole soul rebelled. I actually seemed to hate God. I could see nothing but cruel injustice in it all, and the child seemed to be going fast."

She and her husband knelt beside the little boy's bed. Jonathan pleaded earnestly with Rosalind to yield her will and her son to God. It was a long and bitter struggle, but she eventually told her husband that she would give her child to the Lord. Then her husband prayed, committing this precious child to God.

While he was praying, Rosalind noticed that the rapid, hard breathing of their little boy had ceased. She thought he was gone, and went to get a light. But when he examined his face, she found that he had sunk into a deep, sound, natural sleep. He slept most of the night. The following day he was practically well.

It seemed to Rosalind that the Lord tested her to almost the last moment. Then when she yielded her dearest treasure to Him, He gave back the child.

Thank You, Lord, for giving us strength to give You our best. 

"Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son" (Genesis 22:12).