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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalms 42:1. And thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. Exodus 17:6. And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them. Isaiah 48:21. And that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4.
He who is not satisfied with the lukewarm water of mere knowledge; who is weary of the broken cisterns of this world’s insipid wisdom; who thirsts for fresh and living water as a hart in the noonday heat; who knows the Rock from which flows the water of life; who understands how to smite this Rock: for him will flow the water of life in the dry desert of this life, and he, his people, his children, his friends and relatives, shall have enough to drink. The Lord procured for His people such abundance of water in the desert that they suffered no thirst during the forty years they remained there. A rock must give water to God’s people. Was not this rock a type of Christ? Was it not, as St. Paul says, Christ Himself? Yes, beloved, we have this Rock among us and in us; he who believes on Him, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). This Rock gives water in abundance for the thirsty hearts of all nations on earth. As often as we smite His heart with the rod of believing, earnest prayer and child-like confidence, the water of life springs forth, spirit and unction, peace and grace, and they flow into our thirsty hearts so that we lack no good thing. He gives the Spirit without measure. But shepherd and flock, pastors and hearers, teachers and pupils, old and young, soul and body, must languish in the desert of this life if they do not thirst for this water, and believe on the Rock; if they do not pray in faith, continue in prayer, and walk in the enjoyment thereof. Take this to heart, you who are to instruct and direct others or be anything to them. First receive something yourself; pant for fresh water; smite the Rock so that it gives water, from which your people, your children, pupils and hearers, your subjects or at least your own heart, may drink. The heart of Jesus which is opened in the covenant. His wounds that are as a fountain, these you are to smite with your prayers; they are the fountain of living water. Jesus gives the Spirit (John 16:7; John 16:13-14). In His name and at His intercession the Father sends the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; John 14:26). Mark this, that in your prayers you may not beat the air, but strike the right Rock, out of which the water will infallibly spring as often as you smite it. Smite the Rock, that your people may drink. The Rock is Christ.
O mighty Rock, O Source of Life,
Let Thy dear Word, ’mid doubt and strife,
Be so within us burning,
That we be faithful unto death.
In Thy pure love and holy faith.
From Thee true wisdom learning!
Lord, Thy graces
On us shower,
By Thy power
Christ confessing,
Let us win His grace and blessing.
