THE view from the summit of the Great Pyramid reveals a long narrow strip of verdure―green trees, grass and crops, ―while a sharply-defined line on either side marks where this ends and the bare sand begins. It is the course of the great river Nile, and that line marks the precise limit of irrigation, and furnishes a striking illustration of the inspired statement, “Everything shall live whither the river cometh.”
There is surpassing interest in taking a comprehensive view of the course of the great river of the grace of God, as it is now winding its way through this thirsty scene, so that it can be said: ―
“The river of His grace,
Through righteousness supplied,
Is flowing o’er the barren place
Where Jesus died.”
Frequent mention is made of “the river” in Scripture. It was seen flowing out of the Garden of Eden. The great host of Israel when crossing the burning desert under Jehovah’s protection was followed by the life-sustaining stream, miraculously supplied from the smitten rock. The sweet Psalmist of Israel sings of “a river, the streams whereof make glad the City of God.” The Prophet Ezekiel sees the vision of a mighty stream issuing out of God’s House. These are but figures of the true.
Once on Sychar’s well there sat One, Jesus the Son of the Living God, Who spoke of Himself as the Giver of living water. He had come that the river of God’s grace might freely flow to poor lost man. He found His joy in dispensing living water, and that poor outcast, the Samaritan sinner, drank that day of the life-giving stream to her eternal blessing and joy.
But if God was to be revealed as “the God of all grace;” if that living stream was to flow freely to thirsty souls, the great work of atonement must be done― “the Son of Man must be lifted up.”
The marks of Calvary, seen now upon the glorified Saviour at God’s right hand, tell that He has been to the cross; His presence there tells that God is perfectly satisfied with His work; while the presence of the Holy Spirit of God on earth, and the preaching of the “glad tidings of the Blessed God,” tell that the great floodgates have been lifted up, and that God―the Living God―has approached man in grace.
Before we follow the river further, may we ask, dear reader: Do you know the grace of God? Have you the assurance of the forgiveness of your sins? Do you know that in the death of Jesus every question between God and you has been perfectly met, and that, as a righteous consequence, it is your happy lot to have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”? If not, be assured that God would have it so, and He is seeking to bless you freely through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day of God’s grace will soon be over. The river will cease to flow over this scene. The happy throng of the redeemed will be “caught up” to be “forever with the Lord,” and then “he that is unjust will be unjust still.”
Meantime this scene is a “dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Nothing abides; nothing here is capable of producing lasting satisfaction. All is under death. Still “living water” is offered, and the invitation is given to you, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 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)).
If only thirsty souls would “stoop down and drink and live,” they would find a spring of eternal satisfaction and joy.
The source of this river cannot be found here. It is found in the heart of the blessed God. “The waters issued out of the sanctuary” (Ezek. 47); “The river of water of life proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:11And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1)). God desires your blessing, dear reader, and it is nothing in you that calls forth His great grace. He is the Source of it. God is “the fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:1313For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)).
The course of this river is no ordinary one. The prophet Ezekiel saw that the waters “came down at the south side of the altar.” Thus it must be. That altar is the cross of Calvary. The grace of God could never reach us but by way of the death of Christ. The Lamb of God has been here; His precious blood has been shed; the atoning work is finished, and from thence has flowed the grace of God.
The river widened grandly on the day of Pentecost, when three thousand souls “gladly received the word.” Wider still it became as the apostles proceeded to fulfill their injunction “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Still onwards and outwards has it flowed, until at last it has reached―YOU! It is flowing at your very feet. Are you thirsting? “Let him that is athirst, COME!” Do you linger, thinking you are not thirsty enough? Delay not, for whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Some may only have begun to appreciate the grace of God, and thus stand only ankle deep in the river: with others the waters may be to the knees. A deeper apprehension is the portion of some, but thrice happy are those who know the grace of God as “waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over” (Ezek. 47:55Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. (Ezekiel 47:5)).
It will be thus for all eternity―those ages to come when He will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
But a word of warning must be given. Beware lest you despise this grace. That the Gospel has been heard by you, and that this river is within your reach, is a cause for profound thankfulness to those who love your soul; but if, after all, you treat the overtures of God in grace with indifference, you cannot do so with impunity. It will be at the peril of your soul. Terrible will be the portion of those who refuse it. “Behold, ye despisers, ―and wonder―and perish!”
May it be yours to drink deeply of “that life-giving stream” for God’s glory and your eternal blessing. F. S. M.