June 20

1 And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortst let me

2 Leh'd, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song, he also is become my salvation

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

4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted

5 Sing unto the LORD, for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.

6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

A fountain, or a well, in the sacred writings, is an emblem of that which produces joy and refreshment; which sustains and cheers. The figure is often employed to denote that which supports and refreshes the soul; which sustains man when sinking from exhaustion—as the bubbling fountain or well refreshes the weary and fainting pilgrim. It is thus applied to God as an overflowing fountain, fitted to supply the wants of all His creatures; and to His plan of salvation—the sources of comfort which He has opened in the scheme of redeeming mercy to satisfy the wants of the souls of men

The water of life is sweet and refreshing, the wells of salvation are deep and inexhaustible; but none can drink save those who drave. "With joy we are to draw water out of the wells of salvation. Faith is the bucket, but joy and love are the hands that move it. They are the Aaron and Hur that hold up the hands of this Moses. God does not value that man's service who accounts not His service a privilege and a pleasure."—Charnock.

Closet Promise.—The joy of the Lord is your strength.—Nehemiah viii. 10.

Bishop Bonar says, "With God for my friend, I pass through life in peace. He is all to me, and in fellowship with Him I find a joy that overshadows all that the world calls by that name." Such is the privilege of those who accept the friendship of Him, the very essence of whose being is love. What higher joy can we conceive than such close communion with the King of kings? What service so delightful as the love-labors we perform for Him who says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love?"

Let us then come into His presence with joy. "Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice," remembering the word of Nehemiah, "The joy of the Lord is your strength."