Evening, June 17

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"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.