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Observe in what connection this sunny sketch of prosperity occurs. It is set in a frame that excites the strong prejudice of some professing Christians. The setting is a framework of duties. The blessings are not promised to. every Christian unconditionally," "but are fenced in with terms: If thou doest this, and if thou doest that, then shall such-and-such blessings be thine." Though salvation is of grace, the happiness of the Christian does depend upon his obedience.

I. These people, who are thus full of God's Spirit, are described as possessing CONTINUAL GUIDANCE. "The Lord shall guide thee continually."

1. There come to them, as to other men, dilemmas in providence. He goes not amiss who goes in the company of God.

2. The path of doctrine, also, is sometimes difficult. The Holy Ghost will lead us into all truth. So shall it be, likewise, in matters of spiritual experience.

3. Our experience often seems to be as though it had no rule. If we are enabled by grace to seek close and vital union with Christ, and to live upon Him continually, we may rest assured that whether our experience be gloomy or delightful, and whether our inward conflicts or joys be paramount, He will still be at the helm, and will guide us continually.

II. The second blessing promised in the text is INWARD SATISFACTION. "And satisfy thy soul in drought." It is a blessed thing to have the soul satisfied, for the soul is of great capacity. The Christian has got what his soul wants. He has a removal of all that which marred his peace, blighted his prospects, and made his soul empty and hungry. His sin is pardoned; he is reconciled to God. He is satisfied with God's dispensation. He is satisfied with God's love. He is satisfied with promises that can never be broken, with covenants that can never be violated, with oaths that stand fast like mountains, and with the words of God which are great as the fathomless sea. He is satisfied with his God. The consequence of such a satisfaction as this is that the Christian is as well satisfied at one time as at another, if his soul be right. He shall be satisfied in times of drought. In the vast times of distress the Christian is still satisfied.

III. The next blessing is, SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. "And make fat thy bones." Note the figure. It is not "make fat thy flesh." When Jeshurun waxed fat he kicked. Sometimes abundance in earthly things makes poverty in heavenly things. But fatness here is to be upon the man's hardest and most necessary part of his frame. A man is really built up when his bones, the solid pillars of the house of his manhood, have been strengthened. Vigour has been put into his constitution where it was most required. The figure seems to me to indicate two or three things in one. There is health here, the soul purged from its vices, sicknesses, and unbelief, pride, sloth, and such like. There is vigour here, no lukewarmness. There is growth, the man is not stunted. Christian joy is, after all, Christian strength.

IV. The fourth blessing is this, "AND THOU SHALT BE LIKE A WATERED GARDEN." This figure of a garden is a very sweet and attractive one. Our fancy is soon at work to invent a picture of flower-beds, and fruit-trees, shady walks, and pleasant fountains, laid out close to some grand mansion, and opening its fairest views to the best apartments of the palace. Such a garden needs constant care, and then, although it may be more beautiful at one season than another, it will never be like a wild heath, or totally bereft of charms. But, alas! some professors of religion are not like this: there is little evidence of diligent cultivation in their character.

V. There is the blessing of CONTINUED STRENGTH, CONTINUED FRESHNESS, CONTINUED SUPPLY. "As a well of water whose waters fail not." There are many wells in the East which do fail, and many apparent springs which deceive the traveller. I observe that the margin has it, "whose waters deceive not, or lie not. And how many a man who has appeared like a Christian has been but a mere deceiver! Not so God's true people. They shall have so much grace that when a Christian friend expects to find grace in them, he shall not be disappointed.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

WEB: and Yahweh will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make strong your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters don't fail.