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Grace Like Rain (Charles Spurgeon)

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“Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pools.” — Psalm 84:6

This teaches us that the comfort obtained by a one may often prove serviceable to another; just as wells would be used by the company who came after. We read some book full of consolation, which is like Jonathan’s rod, dropping with honey. Ah! we think our brother has been here before us, and digged this well for us as well as for himself. Many a “Night of Weeping,” “Midnight Harmonies,” an “Eternal Day,” “A Crook in the Lot,” a “Comfort for Mourners,” has been a well digged by a pilgrim for himself, but has proved quite as useful to others. Specially we notice this in the Psalms, such as that beginning, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” Travellers have been delighted to see the footprint of man on a barren shore, and we love to see the waymarks of pilgrims while passing through the vale of tears.

The pilgrims dig the well, but, strange enough, it fills from the top instead of the bottom. We use the means, but the blessing does not spring from the means. We dig a well, but heaven fills it with rain. The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord. The means are connected with the end, but they do not of themselves produce it. See here the rain fills the pools, so that the wells become useful as reservoirs for the water; labour is not lost, but yet it does not supersede divine help.

Grace may well be compared to rain for its purity, for its refreshing and vivifying influence, for its coming alone from above, and for the sovereignty with which it is given or withheld. May our readers have showers of blessing, and may the wells they have digged be filled with water! Oh, what are means and ordinances without the smile of heaven! They are as clouds without rain, and pools without water. O God of love, open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing!

Did you like this devotional? This post was adapted from Charles H. Spurgeon’s classic devotional Morning and Evening. Spurgeon (1834-1892) is often called the Prince of Preachers. He often preached (outdoor without amplification) to crowds bettering 10,000, and the sheer number of his written sermons is staggering. A strong emphasis in his teaching was God’s grace and sovereignty over man’s helpless state. For more on Spurgeon, his commentaries, or devotionals, visit the BLB.

Comments

  1. I accept the commandment of blessing upon my life…which is connected to another…which is connected to another and so on. Not taking this lightly. And know that as seed is given to the sower, so shall your vats over flow with the commandment from heaven.

    Baruck atah shalom alechem

  3. Amen I agree !

    ” Oh waters of Heaven pour us out a blessing overflowing ”
    May the Blessings surpass our comprehension.

    And to finish with His Word

    Psalms 84:9
    Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed.

    Psalms 84:10
    For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

    Psalms 84:11
    For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

    Psalms 84:12
    O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

    Shalom and Blessings Abound !!!

  4. James 4:17
    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not
    to him it is sin

    1 Corinthians 4:6
    And these things brethren I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes
    THAT YOU MIGHT LEARN IN US NOT TO THINK OF MEN ABOVE THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN THAT NO ONE OF YOU BE PUFFED UP FOR ONE AGAINST ANOTHER

    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover —IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS—THAT A MAN BE FOUND —FAITHFUL—

    Psalm 119:138
    Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and
    —VERY FAITHFUL—

    Psalm 119:86
    All thy commandments are —FAITHFUL—they persecute me wrongfully —HELP THOU ME—

    TEACH US JESUS TEACH US FOR THOU ART MY HELPER THERE IS NO
    OTHER I AM NOT HELPLESS FOR YOU ARE MY BROTHER YOU HAVE GIVEN
    HELP TO ALL YOUR CHILDREN FOR THEY ASK AND PRAY IN OBEDIENCE
    THANK YOU MY LORD I ASK AND PRAISE YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS

    Deuteronomy 7:9
    Know therefore that the lord thy GOD —HE IS GOD—
    —THE FAITHFUL GOD—-which keepeth covenant and mercy with
    them that love HIM and keep HIS commandments to a thousand
    generations

    John 14:15
    If you love ME keep MY commandments

    Isaiah 26:10
    Though grace is shown to the wicked
    They do not learn —-RIGHTEOUSNESS—-
    Even in a land of—-UPRIGHTNESS—- they go on doing evil
    And regard not the —-MAJESTY—- of the LORD

    Psalm 29:4
    The voice of the LORD is powerful
    The voice of the LORD is —FULL OF MAJESTY—

    Proverbs 8:8
    All the words of MY mouth are in—-RIGHTEOUSNESS—-
    There is nothing froward or perverse in them

    Psalm 15:1&2
    LORD who shall abide in THY tabernacle
    Who shall dwell in THY holy hill
    (2)He that walketh—-UPRIGHTLY—-
    —-AND WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS—-
    —-AND SPEAKETH TRUTH IN HIS HEART—

    Psalm 50:23
    Whoso offereth praise glorifieth ME
    And to him that ordereth his conversation aright
    Will I show the salvation of GOD

    Titus 2:11&12
    For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation
    hath appeared to all men
    (12)—-TEACHING US—-that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly —-RIGHTEOUSLY—-AND GODLY—-
    in this present world

    1 Corinthians 15:34
    —-AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS—-and sin not
    For some have not the knowledge of GOD
    I speak this to your shame

    Help us LORD JESUS

  6. I pray I will be a blessing to someone day. I’m encouraged not only by Spurgeon’s beautiful comments but also by the comments from my brother’s and sister’s in Christ. Psalm 84:10 will be on my heart today. This is even better than the coffee I’m drinking! God Bless.

    Jim

  7. I found Spurgeon’s meditation very confusing and unsatisfying on several levels and could not relate it to the verse quoted, Psalm 84:6. I realize that people can see or relate their different experiences and values using the scripture, but I wanted to know what God is actually saying to us through the Psalmist. So I did some meditating, researching and just digging and am sharing what I found.

    First, I had to view the verse in its context in the Psalm. It is possible to make any verse say anything when taken out of context, just as Hitler and the Klu Klux Klan did, for examples. The Psalmist is talking about the strength, blessing, grace and glory to be attained by those who are righteous, walk uprightly and trust in the living God (Jehovah, Yahweh, etc.) (Psalm 84:5, 7, 11-12 KJV) This was impossible to perfectly do under the law. This is a Psalm looking forward to the Grace of God. Jesus is the fulfillment of this scripture. (John 5:39-40) He is the Grace of God. (John 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:4)

    Okay, so where does this verse fit? What is the valley of Baca? Comparing scripture, I went to the first mention of this word “Baca” (Psalm 84:6 KJV) and saw that 2 Hebrew words spelled “baka'” were used meaning a weeping mulberry tree. Further digging found these trees connected to the valley of Rephaim (giants). It was a valley where David defeated the Philistines by the sovereign hand of God on two separate occasions by 2 different methods. (2Sam 5:18, 23-25, 1Chron 14:14-16). David also called this place Baalperazim because the LORD broke forth against Philistine idolatry. (2Sam 5:20) The scriptures describe the area occupied by this valley as from Gezer to Gibeah (2Sam 5:25).

    Now, in the second attack, God told David not to follow and attack from the rear, but to circle around to the front of them and stand in front of mulberry trees, and wait for His mark–the going forth in the tops of these trees. Reference 1 Chronicles 14:13-14. The word weeping here refers to the mulberry trees, not the lamenting or weeping of humans. it is not a valley of lamenting. This is made clear by the fact that the word for weeping as lamenting – bakah, H1058, is used as the base for this word baka, H1056, but is not the same word. Baka is only used in context with mulberry trees, H1057. Hence, the valley of Baca. And there are such things as weeping mulberry trees, but I guess one could make it metaphorical. Researching gives information which is very instructive as to this tree’s viability in a dry arid desert. Weeping mulberry trees are very thirsty and need a lot of water, grow very tall and broad and can hide people because their branches hang down. The valley of Baca, or Weeping Mulberry Trees, refers to the divine intervention on the nation of Israel’s behalf and defeating the enemy in the valley of Rephaim, the grace of God.

    So, having seen all of this, I believe this verse, flowing from the context of this particular Psalm, is continuing to emphasize how one who, because of his strength and trust in the God of Israel, as evidenced by his walk and worship, by the sovereignty of God, can make water flow in a desert place, nurturing and giving life. Yes, again, I guess you could see all those things about wells, horses prepared, etc., but what is the exhortation? For the saints of old, this was a message of hope. For saints today, the hope of glory is Christ in us!

    The reason I was disturbed by Spurgeon’s conclusion is because he missed the point. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the types in this Psalm relating to soul’s longing, courts of God, house of the Lord, walking uprightly, blessing, and on and on. For Spurgeon to end with a cry to God to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing is, I believe, (dare I say it!), religious posturing, not edification. The Holy Spirit said through Paul:

    Eph 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

    In this case, all does mean every, not just “some” of every kind. So, I can’t see in the scripture what additional blessing saints of God are to ask God to pour out, since jesus said it is finished. We either continue renewing our minds, knowing our old man is dead and continually reckoning it to be so, believing what God has given us in Jesus, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12 KJV) knowing that He will do it (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). Or, as a religious Christian “ascetic using flogging” exercises, try to “feel” even more the unworthy sinner than we are without Jesus, so you can ask God to please, please, please pour out what, something else? When does Christianity come out of floating around on beautiful words of prose and metaphorical scripture interpretation, and give Glory to God for Jesus! God told us why He gave us the scriptures! Why don’t we spend the time just thanking Him for what He has already given (Phl 4:6), (and He has given All), and walk worthy of the calling (Eph 4:1; Heb 10:29 KJV), entering boldly into the throne of grace, confident in the leading of the Holy Ghost (Romans 8:14 KJV).

    I thank God for all the revelation He has given to His saints to share, edify and train us up in these last and evil days. But in the end, we need to get the manna from God, not from a “manna tree”.

    Grace and Peace is in Jesus the Messiah,

    Dee

    • Dee: I find your comment very poignant and thought provoking. In light of your response, can you give me your thoughts on James chapter 4:6 which quotes Proverbs 3:34. Specifically where James prefaces the quote by stating, “But he gives more grace.” My hopes are that it would shed more light on my own personal studies. To give further context, what I want to know is your thoughts on whether it is scripturally sound to ask for more grace through prayer in certain circumstances, or would it be akin to asking for something that I already possess. Thanks in advance!

      • Hi Elijah Hall,

        I love your name. I am sorry that it took so long to get back to you. I was directed to this blog tonight by the Holy Spirit and He has something for us!

        Remember, the context is that James is the Apostle to the Jews, scattered abroad (James 1:1 KJV) and this letter is to them! But he is giving the Jews the revelation that he has as a believer in the finished work of the Messiah. That is also part of the context. Does he know about the Lord’s revelation to Paul about the body (church?) of Jesus. Yes, according to certain things he says, but remember, this is written to Jewish believers scattered abroad (diaspora) who need to be taught the doctrine of God, and in the context of their Jewish background.

        So, Elijah, if you are born from above (John 3) you have it all. Your hope in the grace of God is solid. Don’t ask for more “grace through prayer in certain circumstances” because you have all the grace God is going to give you! Instead, thank the Messiah for what he has done, as you said, “for something that I already possess.”

        Grace and Peace in the love of the Messiah,

        Dee