The Hiding Place

I just got done reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. I know, this book has been around for a long time. It could be that what I have learned was like the ticket that Corrie's Dad gave her just before getting on the train; sometimes God gives us the ticket when we need it, and not before. Now I need to be looking for how I will use what I have learned. (Remember, Rachel, that God's timing is perfect, and although you think you could have used this before; and you would not have lost it or squandered it, there are no mistakes in God's providence.)

[Just as an aside, Corrie's name is really Cornelia, which is also the name of a beautiful young woman in my church, who also has the gift of spreading the joy and love of God to those around her. She and I taught Sunday School together this year, and although I was the "teacher" and she the "assistant" I often felt that it should have been the other way around.]

I have learned a great deal from this book, and I highly recommend it. I borrowed it from my church library, and I will return it after I get as many people in my family as possible to read it, and then I think I will purchase one for my home.

Corrie's Dad and sisters Nollie and Betsy most impress me.

Her Dad answered everything according to God's wisdom and providence. There was no question or need too great for God, and Mr. ten Boom was well grounded in scripture and in the sufficiency of scripture to equip us in life and godliness.

Nollie was willing to obey God even when it meant that she (or others) could lose everything. She also taught her children this. The incident that comes to mind was when her daughter was hiding some boys in a space under the dining room table and their home was raided to get young boys for the factory. When asked where they were, the girl told them that they were under the table. The soldiers looked and finding none, they thought that the girls were fooling them, and left. Nollie wasn't home at the time, but when she heard of the incident, she said that the girls did right because, "God provides perfect protection" when we live lives of obedience.

Betsy believed God. Everything that happened to her, she saw as from her Father's hand. For example, the fleas in the concentration camp. Corrie thought that they were unbearable and could not be of God, but Betsy thanked Him for them. Later they found out that they were the reason they had so much freedom from the guards in the barracks.

Here are some things I learned from this book:

*Some knowledge is just too heavy for us to bear.

*Sometimes God gives us the ticket just when we need it.

*God honors obedience.

*When God said to give thanks in everything (repeatedly), and that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8), it might be that we will see the reason eventually, or maybe that that knowledge would be too heavy for us.

Most of all I am convicted of my timidity; my fear of Man. I am admonished by the lives, examples and words of these Christians to extol the mighty works of God; to ascribe to the Lord His due. What a mighty and loving Living God we serve!