Spurgeon: June PM
* 06/17/PM
"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.