“I have given them THY WORD” (John 17:14).
“Thy word was unto me the joy . . . of mine heart” (Jer. 15:16).
We treat our Bibles, not as old almanacs, but as books for the present—new, fresh, adapted for the hour. Abiding sweetness dwells in undiminished freshness in the ancient words upon which our fathers fed in their day. Glory be to God, we are feasting on them still; or if not, we ought to be; and can only blame ourselves if we do not!
The wells of Abraham served for Isaac, and Jacob, and a thousand generations. Come, let us let down our buckets, and with joy draw water out of the old wells of salvation, digged in the far-off days when our fathers trusted in the Lord, and He delivered them! We need not fear that we shall be superstitious or credulous. The promises of the Lord are made to all who will believe them: faith is itself a warrant for trusting. If thou canst trust, thou mayest trust.
After being fulfilled hundreds of times, the words of promise still stand to be yet further made good. Many a time and oft have we stooped down to the spring-head in the meadow, and quaffed a cooling draught. It is just as full and free, and we may drink today with as much confidence as if we now stooped for the first time. Men do not keep their promises over and over again; it would be unreasonable to expect it of them. They are cisterns, but Thou, O Lord, art a fountain! All my fresh springs are in Thee.—C. H. Spurgeon.
This Book unfolds Jehovah’s mind,
This Voice salutes in accents kind,
This Friend will all your need supply,
This Fountain sends forth streams of joy,
This Mine affords us boundless wealth,
This Good Physician gives us health,
This Sun renews and warms the soul,
This Sword both wounds and makes us whole,
This Letter shows our sins forgiven,
This Guide conducts us safe to Heaven,
This Charter has been sealed with blood,
This Volume is the Word of God.
-Enc. of Poetical Illustrations.
A strange, mysterious life pervades the Bible, which makes it not only an inexplicable mystery, but an indestructible Book. It is also life-giving. Its Living Waters make everything to live, wherever the river of God cometh. The living Spirit of God here speaks to the responsive spirit of man.-Dr. A. T. Pierson.