AFTER the bitter waters of Marah had been sweetened for the children of Israel, and their thirst was quenched, they journeyed on until they came to Elim, which was an oasis in the desert. Here there were twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees. How refreshing this green spot must have been to the travelers, after their weary march across the arid plain, under the burning heat of the sun! The grateful shade of that grove of palms would afford as sweet rest for them; and they could refresh themselves and their cattle with the cool water which was now before them in abundance. This resting spot in the desert would be to them a foretaste of the bountiful land to which they were going.
And as God vouchsafed to His people of old sweet Elim of refreshments in their desert journeying, so now He gives to His dear people precious times of refreshing in their pilgrim path; and these are but foretastes of the deep, eternal joy upon which they shall enter by and bye.
But Elim was not Canaan, and the weary march had to be resumed. And for us the times of special joy and happy fellowship with God’s people are but oases in the desert, which speak to us of the joys in store; and we, too, must take up the journey and press on, counting upon God, until the last step of the desert is trodden, and the land of delights is entered upon.
ML 02/15/1903