From: Morning by Morning Devotional reading November 6 I will pour out water on the thirsty. (Isaiah 44:3) When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by punishing himself with dark and dismal fears. That is not the way to rise from the dust, but to remain in it. You might as well chain the eagle’s wings in order to try to make it fly, or to doubt in order to grow in grace. It is not the law but the gospel that saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not the bondage of the law but liberty through the gospel alone that can restore the weak believer afterward. Slave-like fear does not bring the backslider back to God, but the sweet charms of love allure him to Jesus’ arms. Are you thirsting for the living God this morning, and are unhappy because you cannot find Him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of Christ, and is your prayer, Restore to me the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12)? Are you aware also that you are barren, like the dry ground, that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God that He has a right to expect of you, and that you are not as useful in the church or in the world as your heart desires to be? Then this is exactly the promise that you need: I will pour out water on the thirsty. You will receive the grace that you so much require, and you will have it to the uttermost reach of your needs! Water refreshes the thirsty, and you will be refreshed; your desires will be satisfied. Water revives sleeping plant life, and your life will be renewed by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen, and you will have fruit-bearing grace; you will be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you will enjoy it to the full. You will receive all the riches of divine grace in abundance. You will be, as it were, drenched with it. As the meadows sometimes become flooded by the rising rivers and the fields are turned into pools, so you will be. The thirsty ground will be springs of water (Isaiah 35:7). Amen