Upon reading this preceding sentence, I was taken back, in memory, to several times when I was
going through the woods on a sunny day, walking up a hill beside a brook, and listening to the
water rushing down among the rocks. What a peaceful scene, with the sun shining down through
the trees, the song of the brook, and I alone with my thoughts.
As I recalled this experience, there came to mind a close comparison with spiritual things. The
water running down the brook brought to life, the Word of God coming down from Heaven, by
the Spirit of God. "For the prophecy came not in old timed by the will of man but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21). Jeremiah speaks in Jer. 17:13
of "the Lord, the fountain of Living Waters". In Ezekiel 36:25 is the verse, "Then will I sprinkle
clean water upon you and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will
I cleanse you." This brings to mind John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever
drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him
shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up
unto everlasting life." So we see the brook running down the hill, in a sense, resembles our
blessed Lord leaving His glory and being born as Son of Man, that He might meet man’s need,
yet truly be the Son of God.
We might liken the brook to the Bible that God the Father has given to all to read, having
preserved it down through the years. It tells us of the love of God; our Father who desired
worshipers and also desired to share all the joys of heaven with them. As Jesus said to the woman
of Samaria (John 4) "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the
Father in spirit and, in truth:for the Father seeketh such to worship Him". The only way this
could be brought about was by the sacrifice of our blessed Lord on Calvary’s cross, as the Lamb
of God, which took away the sin of the world. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory
of God" (Romans 3:23). Because of this finished work, the grace of God is now! offering the
water of life freely, without money and without price, to whosoever will. (Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17).
The rocks in the brook would remind us of Simon Peter’s answer to our Lord’s question, "Whom
say ye that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16).
Jesus’ answer was, "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church." His Church is
composed of all who have been convicted of their sin by the Holy Ghost, trusted in Christ, and
are building on the firm foundation_that the Lord Jesus suffered, bled, and was judged by the
holy, righteous God for their sins. He laid down His life as a recompense for their sins and was
raised again for their justification. (Romans 4:25). All who believe in this, fact are part of His
Church, and are also true worshipers of God the Father. They, being blessed with the assurance
that the sin question has been settled once and for all, cannot help but have their hearts overflow
with worship and songs of praise to God the Father for the gift of His Son; also to the Son who
loved them and gave Himself a ransom for their sins.
To go back to our comparison, we have the Bible, with Christ the Rock portrayed in all its 66
books. As the believer reads of Him in any one of these books his heart overflows with a song.
If Christ were not pictured in the word of God there would be no song. Just so, if we take the
rocks out of the brook there is no song.
This earthly scene can never begin to measure up to the vast store of wealth for the child of God.
There is an immeasurable amount of peace and satisfaction to all who will avail themselves of it.
These are the conditions:(1) There must be the desire to know more of the blessed truth, a Tim.
2:4). (2) We have to let our desire be made known to God the Father in the name of our Lord and
Saviour. (John 15:16). (3) We must believe that God will answer our prayer. (James 1:5-7). (4)
We must not be discouraged if this does not come as quickly as we think it should. (Isa. 28:9,
10). We must learn to leave all our cares and worries with a loving Father who knows all our
needs even before we ask Him. As we grow in this knowledge and grace then we win witness
more of the peace which passeth all understanding. (Phil. 4:7).
May the grace of God cause each one of His own to enjoy this peace more fully.
FRAGMENT
0 Lamb of God, still keep me
Close to Thy pierced side;
"Tis only there in safety
And peace I can abide.
J. G. Deck