Morning
Time: 12:49 AM PST
"Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth
the pools." --Psalm 84:6
This teaches us that the comfort obtained by a one may often prove
serviceable to another; just as wells would be used by the company who came
after. We read some book full of consolation, which is like Jonathan's rod,
dropping with honey. Ah! we think our brother has been here before us, and
digged this well for us as well as for himself. Many a "Night of Weeping,"
"Midnight Harmonies," an "Eternal Day," "A Crook in the Lot," a "Comfort for
Mourners," has been a well digged by a pilgrim for himself, but has proved quite
as useful to others. Specially we notice this in the Psalms, such as that
beginning, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" Travellers have been delighted
to see the footprint of man on a barren shore, and we love to see the waymarks
of pilgrims while passing through the vale of tears.
The pilgrims dig the well, but, strange enough, it fills from the top instead
of the bottom. We use the means, but the blessing does not spring from the
means. We dig a well, but heaven fills it with rain. The horse is prepared
against the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord. The means are connected
with the end, but they do not of themselves produce it. See here the rain fills
the pools, so that the wells become useful as reservoirs for the water; labour
is not lost, but yet it does not supersede divine help.
Grace may well be compared to rain for its purity, for its refreshing and
vivifying influence, for its coming alone from above, and for the sovereignty
with which it is given or withheld. May our readers have showers of blessing,
and may the wells they have digged be filled with water! Oh, what are means and
ordinances without the smile of heaven! They are as clouds without rain, and
pools without water. O God of love, open the windows of heaven and pour us out a
blessing!