In the Ozarks, where I was raised, it is common to find springs. On many occasions, tired and weary from hunting, I have taken a drink of cool water from a spring and been refreshed by it. That’s why these comments by James Smith caught my eye. People in ancient times depended greatly on water from springs, as a matter of survival, making them a great metaphor of Christ. Think about that as you read the following:
Jesus is the fountain of living water; the wells of salvation are found in His person, work and word; He says, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. The springs of comfort, peace, and salvation are all in Him; and in Him for us; therefore called our springs. These waters cleanse from all defilement; refresh the faint and weary; and satisfy the longing soul. The springs bespeak plentitude, whosoever will may come and take; for they are never dry. We are absolutely dependant on Jesus, this is our mercy; we are not absolutely dependant on any besides, this is our happiness. Our desires should concentrate in Him; our affections should be fixed upon Him; and our expectations should be only from Him. In Jesus is all possible variety: He can do, and bestow, all we can possibly want; for it hath pleased the Father that in Him should All fulness dwell. If all our springs are in Jesus, let us not then look to any other; but let us with joy draw water out of the fountains of the Saviour. Let us ask, and He will give us LIVING WATER; that we may thirst no more. Only what comes from Jesus can satisfy the soul.
To whom, dear Jesus, oh, to whom
Shall needy sinners flee,
But to Thyself, who bid’st us come?
Our springs are all in Thee:
Now fill my soul with Thy pure love,
And raise my thoughts and hopes above.
