---

I. THE METAPHOR BY WHICH SALVATION IS HERE DESCRIBED. "Wells of salvation." Water is a favourite emblem in the sacred Scriptures for setting forth the blessings of salvation, especially in the writings of the Old Testament prophets. Salvation, like a well, is —

1. Invisible in its source. God prepares the water for the wells in hidden springs. Man can make a well, but he cannot make a spring; so men may form systems of religion of their own, but they are only wells without water. Salvation is a well of God's own construction, and He alone from His own hidden resources can supply the life-giving water. There is much mystery in the source of an ordinary well of water, yet we do not allow our inability to fully understand it to present an insuperable barrier in the way of accepting its great blessings; let us exercise the same common sense in our treatment of the wells of salvation.

2. Inexhaustible in its supply. A stream may be dried up, a river may fail to flow, a cistern may be exhausted, but a well is fed from hidden deep springs. In the Gospel of Christ there is enough for each, enough for all, enough for evermore.

3. Inestimable in its service.

II. THE MEANS BY WHICH SALVATION IS TO BE OBTAINED. "With joy shall ye draw," etc. It is not enough for the thirsty to draw near to a well, not enough to look into it, and listen to the music of its waters — an effort must be made, it must be appropriated.

1. We must "draw." God provides the well, but we must use the hand of faith; by the rope of effort we must let down the pitcher of desire — and as we draw the blessing up, we shall not thank the instruments by which we obtain the water, but we shall thank Him who provided it so freely for us.

2. We must drink. Not enough to draw the water to the edge of the well, not enough to lift it to the lips, the water must be drunk as well as drawn.

III. THE SPIRIT IN WHICH SALVATION IS TO BE RECEIVED. "With joy," etc. The teaching of our text harmonises with the inductions of reason, and with the dictates of common sense. For how else could we draw water out of the wells of salvation? Will not the sufferer go gladly to the physician who has the ability and willingness to heal? Will not the fainting traveller go with joy to the well he discovers close by?

(F. W. Brown.)

---

---

KJV: Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

WEB: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.