There is one enduring theme which is woven throughout the tapestry of the LORD’s word revealed in the Holy Scriptures which we call the Bible. There are two main threads which form the warp and woof of its fabric. One is the golden thread of HIS glory and sovereign right to rule over HIS creation according to HIS own will. The other is the scarlet thread of the redemptivie work of CHRIST which is primarily demonstrated in the shedding of the blood of CHRIST as an atonement for the sins of HIS people.
The fabric of HIS purpose is put on display from the very beginning of the Book until its final pages. While there are many plots and subplots which make up its narrative, all of these are woven together in such a fashion as to declare the glory of HIS grace in the salvation of that people which HE has loved with an everlasting love.
The rising and falling, and restoration of the nation of Israel forms a backdrop upon which HE has been pleased to demonstrate HIS faithfulness to chasten HIS people while at the same time manifesting HIS utter determination to preserve those same people of HIS love. Thus we see the arc of the glory of David’s kingdom and its utter demise at the hands of the heathen nations, which brought Israel to its knees in mourning, causing them to once again seek HIS face.
Yet in order to demonstrate that HE merely uses the nations and people of the earth for HIS own ends, HE causes these pagans to rise in ascendancy and power to destroy Israel, only to bring those conquering nations to their own doom for daring to attack the anointed of the LORD.
Thus we see the Assyrians appointed to bring down the nation of Israel to the dust. “O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.” (Isa 10:5-6)
But just as surely as HE ordained the rise and strength of Assyria, HE also ordained their ultimate destruction because of their pride and self will in seeking the destruction of Israel. “Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.” (Isa 10:12-13) “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.” (Isa 10:15)
This is just as Joseph who was sold into captivity through the wickedness of his brothers, yet what they meant for evil the LORD meant for good and thereby was Jacob delivered. O who can know the mind of the LORD, or who can find out HIS wisdom. HE does indeed cause all things to “work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:28-31)
This is indeed a deep WELL from which the people of GOD might draw water even to everlasting life. It is here beside this crystal SPRING that the sons of GOD might rejoice and sing the songs of ZION, not in a strange land (see Psa.137:4) but in that CITY not made with hands, whose BUILDER and MAKER is GOD.
The grandest blessing that the LORD has bestowed upon the sons of Adam is the privilege to be manifested as the sons of GOD by a heavenly birth, which is not according to the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of GOD. The lineage of these sons cannot be discovered in the annals of time but dates from before the foundation of the world. To be born into this family is to inherit (jointly) the whole heritage of JESUS CHRIST, which HE has obtained by reason of HIS person and is passed to HIS heirs by reason of HIS death as the TESTATOR of HIS estate, rising again from the dead that HE might take it and present to HIMSELF that glorious church, without spot or blemish, which inherits HIS righteousness forever.
HE has purchased for HIMSELF a people (those same which HE has loved with an everlasting love) which were sold into slavery according to their own desire and in keeping with HIS purpose to manifest HIS love for them, through HIS ultimate sacrifice for them. The revelation of which HE has been pleased to bring to their understanding through the “light of the gospel”. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2Tim 1:9-10)
While being born as the sons of GOD is indeed the grandest of blessings for them, yet being made to see and hear the blessedness of their calling and the manner in which these benefits have accrued to them causes them to be doubly blessed. It is this revelation wherein they can truly draw water from this “WELL”.
The LORD JESUS spoke of it when HE said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38) The gift of faith, is that bucket which enables the sons of GOD to bathe in this LIFE giving and sustaining flow. Some are given larger buckets than others, (see Rom.12:3) but all drink of the same WATER and none have any lack nor hint of thirst.
Isaiah wrote, “And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.” (Isa 12:1) Man as he comes forth from the womb is corrupt from head to toe. His mouth is full of lies and he is at enmity with GOD in HIS mind by wicked works. Yet GOD who is rich in mercy does visit HIS people in the day of SALVATION and shows them that HIGHWAY which HE has opened to lead them from darkness unto light. The darkness is made to flee away as the sons of GOD can now clearly see the purpose of GOD to show them good and they are comforted thereby as the promise of the gospel is revealed to their weary souls and they confess that JESUS is the SON of the LIVING GOD.
Even as Isaiah continued saying, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (Isa 12:2) Only that man who has been thirsty can find lasting satisfaction in the WATER of this WELL. He alone can rejoice at the HOPE of HIS promise and to confess that he can find no place of refuge besides. It is the perfect love of CHRIST, revealed; that drives away fear and gives the sons of GOD the ability to declare HIS SALVATION as their STRENGTH and their SONG. “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 into everlasting life. (May we say) Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not. (John 4:14-15)
mam