Evening, June 17
Go To Morning Reading
“Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it.”
Numbers 21:17
Famous was the well of Beer in the wilderness, because it was the subject of a promise : “That is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people
together, and I will give them water.” The people needed water, and it was promised by their gracious God.
We need fresh supplies of heavenly grace, and in the covenant the
Lord has pledged himself to give all we require. The well next became
the cause of a song . Before the water gushed forth, cheerful faith prompted the people
to sing; and as they saw the crystal fount bubbling up, the music
grew yet more joyous. In like manner, we who believe the promise of
God should rejoice in the prospect of divine revivals in our souls,
and as we experience them our holy joy should overflow. Are we thirsting?
Let us not murmur, but sing. Spiritual thirst is bitter to bear, but
we need not bear it—the promise indicates a well; let us be of good heart, and look for
it. Moreover, the well was the centre of prayer . “Spring up, O well.” What God has engaged to give, we must enquire after, or we manifest
that we have neither desire nor faith. This evening let us ask that
the Scripture we have read, and our devotional exercises, may not
be an empty formality, but a channel of grace to our souls. O that
God the Holy Spirit would work in us with all his mighty power, filling
us with all the fulness of God. Lastly, the well was the object of effort . “The nobles of the people digged it with their staves.” The Lord would have us active in obtaining grace. Our staves are
ill adapted for digging in the sand, but we must use them to the utmost
of our ability. Prayer must not be neglected; the assembling of ourselves
together must not be forsaken; ordinances must not be slighted. The
Lord will give us his peace most plenteously, but not in a way of
idleness. Let us, then, bestir ourselves to seek him in whom are all
our fresh springs.