The Gift of God

“THE GIFT OF GOD.”

“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to
drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.”  – John iv. 10.

O WEARY MAN, footsore and sorrowful, sitting thus on the well, asking a draught of water at the hands of a poor sinful Woman, Thou art my Lord and my Redeemer; I believe in Thee, I love Thee, I worship Thee!

     Nearly two thousand years have passed since Thou didst speak the sweet words which are now comforting my heart, with what power, and solace, and blessing, do they come to me at this moment!

     “If thou knewest.” Lord, Thou hast told me who Thou art, Thou hast in mercy revealed Thyself to me, I know Thee to be that blessed “gift of God” which alone can save and satisfy my soul. The depth and compass of Heavenly love are manifested In Thee, and Thou hast shown me, not my need only, but the sufficiency of Thy grace and power to meet it.

     I am an empty sinner, Thou art a full Christ!

     “Thou wouldest have asked.” This, too, O blessed One, Thou hast taught me and enabled me to do; and my heart’s constant cry, “Lord, give me this living water,” is familiar to Thy listening ears ! It is Thyself I want; Lord, “my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land .”Not Thy gifts, nor Thy grace, nor even Thy glory, could satisfy the desire of a soul which Thou hast made to long for Thyself. Thou, the Giver of all other precious things, art Thyself the choicest, the “unspeakable” gift! Lord, into the thirst of my empty heart pour the full stream of Thy living love! Give me Thyself, or I die!

     And, having asked, I believe that Thou dost give, for Thine own lips have said it, “He would have given,” and I whisper softly to myself the blessed words, “Who loved ME, and gave Himself for ME,” realizing the sacred, overflowing joy of pardoned sin, and peace with God, filling and satisfying my soul.

     So, dear Lord, my spirit, like a weary bird, folds her wings beside this sweet well-spring of comfort, creeps into this blessed “Cleft of the Rock,” and is at rest.