Or, “If Thou Knewest the Gift of God.”
IN certain parts of Aberdeenshire there are to be found on the country roads old running wells, with quaint inscriptions, erected, I suppose, to refresh the thirsty traveler as he passes on his way. One can easily imagine how welcome these would be to man or beast, on a hot sultry day, after traveling any considerable distance under these conditions.
We had passed it often, the one we are about to speak of, situated now in the city of Aberdeen, close by the Royal Infirmary, although at the time of its erection it had been outside the city boundary. On going up to take a closer look than we had hitherto done, we found the date inscribed 1670, a newer portion explaining that it had been renovated in 1851.
It was not its long history that impressed us, the many times it had given out the refreshing draft, but the wonderful inscription that caught the eye, right on the face of it—
“As Heaven gives free,
So give I thee.”
Our thought at once reverted to the greatest girt that Heaven could bestow, even that Blessed One, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let me quote to you His own words while on earth— “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Yes, dear reader, God has given many a gift, but as the poet has expressed it, “No gift like this could ever shine.”
Sitting by the well of Sychar, a wearied Man, thirsty too, the Lord of glory, tittered these remarkable words to a poor outcast woman, who had come at noontide for her supply, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:1010Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10)). Perhaps, like her, you have drunk often of the cisterns of earth; well, listen again to that same voice, “Whoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again” (John 4:1313Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (John 4:13)). You may drink, and drink often, but it is impossible to slake the thirst of your soul with anything to be found in this poor world. Let me turn you then to the One who can meet your thirst, and the deepest need of your soul.
In Isaiah 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) we read, “He, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.” You blame us for our importunity, sometimes presenting these matters before the soul when there is no occasion for it, in your estimation. Oh, beloved friend, if you only knew your condition, a thirsty soul whose state can only be met in time, you would change your mind entirely.
“Give me a drink of water,” said a dying man to his young wife. After he got it, he exclaimed, “That is the last drop of water I shall drink for all eternity,” and shortly after he passed away. Solemn thought.
The prophet Isaiah does not utter his invitation in a whisper, but gives it out with a strong vigorous ring, yet people are quite careless and unconcerned; they think more of the things of earth than of the deep need in their souls; they are like the man with the muck rake in the “Pilgrim’s Progress,” who was so engrossed with his groveling in the dust that he could not find time to look up and see the one who offered him a crown. Just think of the language Isaiah uses, “He that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price.” God asks nothing from you; at the best you are only a poor bankrupt sinner.
Again, we have a touching invitation in John 7:3737In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37). The Jewish feast is nearly ended. They had failed to get what their souls longed after. Jesus at once takes note of the occasion, and puts Himself before the people as the One who can give them what they are in search of. “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink.” If ordinances could have met the thirsty soul of man, what a chance it would have been at this time; but no, my reader, the last day of the feast had been reached when this blessed invitation was given, and you, if you are to come in for God’s blessing, must get it from the same Person who stood there that day, though now no longer on earth, but exalted to the right hand of God in highest heavenly glory.
In the first eight verses of Revelation 21 we get the Eternal State, and it is remarkable what comes between the two conditions there described. Notice that wonderful verse, so full of meaning, “I will give to him that is athirst, of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Rev. 21:66And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:6)). Observe the order; God says, “I will give,” to whom? “Him that is athirst.” How does He give? “Freely.” Could anything be more blessed? Drink, beloved. The time for availing yourself of this opportunity will soon be past, and then, what then? The blackness of darkness for eternity. In Revelation 22:1717And 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) we have God’s final invitation given, “And let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Ere the inspired writer closes the sacred volume, he gives the last call, and oh, I pray you, at the peril of your soul, neglect it not.
J. R. S.