The great Amazon River pours out so mighty a stream of fresh water into the Atlantic that for miles out of sight of land, just opposite the mouth of the river, the water in the ocean is entirely fresh.
Many years ago a sailing ship left Europe for a South American port, and through storm and mishap it was so long on its voyage that the water on board began to give out. The crew took every care, but in spite of it they shortly found themselves with their last tank and cask empty.
A day or two later, when becalmed in a hot climate, to their great joy and relief they sighted another vessel. When near enough to signal, they ran up their flags telling of their piteous position: "We're dying for want of water."
To their astonishment, the reply that came back quickly seemed almost to mock them: "Water all around you; let your bucket down."
Little did they know that they were just then crossing the mighty Amazon's current, and instead of being in salt water, they were actually sailing in fresh. Fresh water all around them though out of sight of land!
Fellow-traveler, you may be crying out, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:3030And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30)), little realizing that the ocean of God's love is all around you. "Let your bucket down!" "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
"Say not in thine heart... Who shall go up for us to heaven... who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it?... The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:66But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (Romans 10:6); Deut. 30:12-1412It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. (Deuteronomy 30:12‑14), Rom. 10:8-138But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:8‑13)).
Let your bucket down!
"He, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat... without money and without price" (Isa. 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1)).
"He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.... And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:1,171And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1)
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)).
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