What is Streams in the Desert?

Streams in the Desert is one of the most beloved devotionals published in the last 100 years.

I used to hear about it but never picked up a copy until I began a deeper review of My Utmost for His Highest.

First published in 1924 in a limited edition (only 3000 copies), Streams in the Desert will celebrate its publishing centenary in 2024.

But what is it?

Why has it stood the test of time?

What? A devotional for the ages

Lettie Cowman wrote Streams in the Desert over a relatively short period of time–several months.

Lettie and her husband Charles had returned to Hollywood, California from their overseas missionary life in Japan because of his health.

They believed God could heal physical illness.

But, for some reason, Charles wasn’t healed–despite years of pleading.

Because of her emotional state, Lettie leaned toward reading material (sermons, poetry, hymns, teachings) that would encourage her faith, and Charles’, too.

A sensitive poetry lover in the best of times, Lettie was grieving as she put together Streams in the Desert.

In it, Lettie Cowman poured out the emotions she struggled with by using quotes she’d clipped out of magazines and newsletters for many years.

(I laughed when I opened a manila envelope while doing research and scores of paper scraps flew into the air–all wise sayings Lettie had clipped).

For that reason, the devotional is timeless.

Everyone goes through grief in life. Many people see their anguish and uncertainty recognized, in the daily devotional.

But Lettie also provides hope–isn’t that what we need when times look dire?

Why do people read it–over and over again?

What is the devotion’s power that people keep returning to read it?

People asked Lettie and she had an answer:

“Streams was born. My other books were written.”

Was that mean?

God birthed the idea in her heart and mind to write the devotional . (Lettie already had a regular column in God’s Revivalist Magazine called “Streams in the Desert”).

She and Charles worked together to produce it.

Streams in the Desert’s message continually points back to God, the creator and sustainer of all.

Lettie Cowman compiled her readings from words, teachings, and poetry that already had sustained people seeking meaning for their suffering for centuries.

She knew to choose because she, too, suffered.

How has it ministered to people?

In The Story Behind Streams in the Desert (and, frankly, in my own upcoming biography of Lettie Cowman), author Ed Erny recounted several instances of the devotional’s value.

It opened doors to Gospel ministry through Europe, and the world.

The devotional inspired Chinese Nationalist Army General Chiang Kai-shek so much, he ordered copies distributed to his armed forces. He worked closely with the with the translator and publisher of Streams in the Desert. Chiang asked to be buried with a copy in his arms. (which he was).

China Inland Mission’s missionary Rudolf A. Bosshardt served in China during the 1930s. In 1934, bandits seized him and other missionaries, eventually marching him and another man 2500 miles across the country during their 18-month captivity.

The Chinese took away his Bible, but did leave him with a “battered book,” called Streams in the Desert.

Deprived of human support, Alfred could only depend on God. Though he had no Bible, years of reading and studying the book and memorizing verses had left him with the stored wealth of much of its teaching and stories . . . Some of these were contained also in the one devotional book which he still had. Living up to its title, Streams in the Desert refreshed him again, and again.”

Bosshardt: A Biography by Jean Watson p. 122

(You can hear his recollections of that time through the Imperial War Museum’s audio recordings.)

To Whom does Streams in the Desert minister?

People around the world.

It’s been translated into at least fifteen languages, and probably more. No one knows the number of copies sold.

As Lettie Cowman traveled the world, people often approached her offering to translate the book.

She herself authorized translations into Chinese, Korean, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish, French, German, Armenian, Romanian, Amharic, Finnish, and even Braille.

It obviously ministers to a general human condition spanning cultures, time, and nations.

What is Streams in the Desert?

A time-honored devotional born out of suffering, speaking to suffering and Biblical truth, plus a book of encouragement and often joy.

You can read it daily at Crosswalk.com or on an app.

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