November 6 - Morning"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." — Isaiah 44:3
When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to
lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears.
Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well
chain the eagle's wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our
grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first;
and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the
fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to
God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus' bosom.
Are you
this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot
find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and
is this your prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation"? Are you
conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not
bringing forth the fruit unto God which He has a right to expect of you;
that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart
desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, "I will
pour water upon him that is thirsty." You shall receive the grace you so
much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs.
Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be
gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be
quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits
ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the
ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall
enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in
plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the
meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned
into pools, so shall you be — the thirsty land shall be springs of water. November 6 - Evening"Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." — Hebrews 9:20
There is a strange power about the very name of blood, and the sight of it
is always affecting. A kind heart cannot bear to see a sparrow bleed, and
unless familiarized by use, turns away with horror at the slaughter of a
beast. As to the blood of men, it is a consecrated thing: it is murder to shed
it in wrath, it is a dreadful crime to squander it in war. Is this solemnity
occasioned by the fact that the blood is the life, and the pouring of it forth
the token of death? We think so. When we rise to contemplate the blood of
the Son of God, our awe is yet more increased, and we shudder as we think
of the guilt of sin, and the terrible penalty which the Sin-bearer endured.
Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel's
side. The blood of Jesus seals the covenant of grace, and makes it for ever
sure. Covenants of old were made by sacrifice, and the everlasting
covenant was ratified in the same manner. Oh, the delight of being saved
upon the sure foundation of divine engagements which cannot be
dishonoured! Salvation by the works of the law is a frail and broken vessel
whose shipwreck is sure; but the covenant vessel fears no storms, for the
blood ensures the whole. The blood of Jesus made His testament valid.
Wills are of no power unless the testators die. In this light the soldier's
spear is a blessed aid to faith, since it proved our Lord to be really dead.
Doubts upon that matter there can be none, and we may boldly
appropriate the legacies which He has left for His people. Happy they
who see their title to heavenly blessings assured to them by a dying
Saviour. But has this blood no voice to us? Does it not bid us sanctify
ourselves unto Him by whom we have been redeemed? Does it not call us
to newness of life, and incite us to entire consecration to the Lord? O that
the power of the blood might be known, and felt in us this night! November 6 |