December 23 PM

All my springs are in thee. Psa. 87:7.

Philosophers, ignorant of the true God, who doth all things by his power, talk of an occult quality in nature; a certain some thing, which they can neither explain nor account for, but which doth wonders. Just as darkly do many speak of a light within, which, if they are obedient to, and do not resist, will guide and sanctify them. But they manifest that it is not a divine light; for it teaches them to slight and reject divine revelation. This is Deism. But the heavenly-taught soul speaks as the oracles of God. He confesses, Christ dwells in his heart by faith; and says, O Jesus, “All my springs are in thee.” Thou art that spring, which put and keeps my soul in spiritual motion. We see the vibration of the balance of a watch: we know its motion is from the main spring, and the union it has with it. Stop, say the sons of pride; compare not man to a machine. Truly, he is worse than a good machine, in good order. Verily, he is naturally like a bad machine, out of order. For Satan has dominion over him, rules in him, and works upon him, according to his power. (Eph. 2:2.) O, omnipotent Lord, it is by thy heavenly skill our souls “are created, in Christ Jesus, unto good works. We are thy workmanship,” (chap. 2:10.) (1st.) Hence springs the good work of humility in the soul. I have no spring in myself, in my own free-will; no inherent righteousness, power, wisdom or goodness. I can draw no waters of consolation to refresh my soul, from any thing I am in myself, or can do for myself. I could as soon find a spring of water in a hot, dry, sandy desert, as in myself. Hence with David, “I am in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” (Psalm 63:1.) But, (2d.) here is the joyful claim of faith, “All my springs are in thee.” O Jesus! when I find my soul dry, and parched with burning lusts—fiery darts from Satan—scorching temptations from the world: the springs of thy love, the streams of thy grace, the fountain of thy blood, my Lord and my God, cool, refresh, and comfort my soul. Dear Lord, thou hast cried, “If any man thirst, let him come unto ME, and drink.” (John 7:37.) O free and precious invitation! I thank thee, dear Lord, for it, and for the thirsting my soul has towards thee. Glory to thee, I do believe on thee. Thou hast said, I shall never thirst after any other, but thee, for salvation. (John 6:35.) “For it pleased the Father, that in thee all fulness should dwell.” (Col. 1:19.) I acquiesce in it: I rejoice at it. “O Lord, I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me: thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me.” Isa. 12:1.

Thou of life the fountain art—

Freely let me take of thee

Spring thou up within my heart—

Rise to all eternity.