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The traveller on a hot summer's day, parehed with thirst, can easily understand the allusion, "cold waters to a thirsty soul." They are cooling, refreshing, and invigorating, and enable him to pursue his journey with "strength renewed." Not unfrequently they have been the means of saving life — e.g., Hagar in the wilderness (Genesis 21:14-20); Samson after slaying the Philistines (Judges 15:18, 19). But the comparison is with good news. Who does not love to hear good news? How exhilarating the news brought to old Jacob respecting his son Joseph (Genesis 45:26-21); how joyful the tidings brought by messengers relating to the restoration of the Jews (Isaiah 52:7); how jubilant the feelings of the apostle, when bound at Rome, on hearing favourable reports of the Colossian and Philippian converts! He again "thanked God and took courage."

1. The first piece of good news is this, that the treaty of peace has been signed. "Unto you is born a Saviour."

2. So fascinating is that country that there will be no fear of disappointment when we visit it, no wanting to return again on earth.

3. That country has very great attractions. It is —

(1)  A land of plenty. Failure and starvation, known, alas! often bitterly here.

(2)  A land of perfection. Failure of ideals here.

(3)  A land of victory.

(4)  A land of friendships.

(G. P. Story.)

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KJV: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

WEB: Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.