A Song in the Desert

"They journeyed toward the sunrising And the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it." Numbers 21:11-17.

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand." Romans 13:12.

"I Jesus am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Revelation 22:16.

NEARLY now the last stage trodden

Of the desert way;

All behind them lies the darkness,

All before-the day.

But some hearts were weary travelling,

Murmuring at the road;

Half forgetting their deliverance

By the mighty God.

"Nought," they said, "there lies around us

But the desert sand;

Oh to see once more the rivers

Of Egyptia's land!"

Then God's heart of deep compassion

Sent the message free

"If the people look for water,

Gather them to Me."

Forty years of desert wandering,

Proving man was vain;

Turning back in heart to Egypt

When a pressure came.

Forty years of desert wandering,

Mercies sweet and new

Every day their path surrounding,

Proving God was true.

Now the journey almost over,

Trial well-nigh past,

He would have them, as when starting,

Raise a song at last.

Nought but desert sand around them,

Not one spot of green;

But the glory of His presence

Lighting up the scene.

Desert weariness forgotten

By that mighty throng,

As around that springing water

Voices rise in song.

Not a song of "victory" only

Now their voices fill;

But the deeper blest experience

"God is with us still."

Nearly now the last stage trodden

Of the desert way;

All behind us lies the darkness,

All before - the day.

Wondrous day of glowing promise,

Dimming all beside,

When the One who died to win us

Comes to claim His Bride.

And while watching for His coming,

Waiting here below,

He would have us in the desert

Find the waters flow.

Streams of sweet and deep refreshment

Gladdening all the throng,

Giving us, when gathered round Him,

Blessing and a song. A. S. Oliphant.

The secret of all blessing and progress, after a soul has been brought to taste of blessing in Christ, is the being led into intercourse with God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture, knowing Him as the living and true God in action in Scripture. Standing then face to face with Him, we see what poor things we are, and what the blessing for us in this book - called truly God's library. G. V. Wigram.