Oh That One Would Give Me Drink of the Water At
Jesus offers us the living water of eternal life, which is available to all who will come to Him, and is a better gift than the innocence and joy of childhood.
F.B. Meyer reflects on David's longing for the water from the well of Bethlehem, symbolizing a deep desire for the innocence and joy of childhood. He emphasizes that while it is natural to yearn for the past, true fulfillment is found in Jesus, who offers living water that quenches our deepest thirst. Meyer contrasts the purity gained through faith and the richness of experiences gained through suffering with the fleeting joys of youth. He encourages believers to seek solace in Christ, who provides peace and hope beyond earthly circumstances. Ultimately, he calls us to drink from the eternal well of life that Jesus offers freely.
Text
Oh that one would give me drink of the water at
the well of Bethlehem! 1 Chron, xi. 17.
DAVID had often drunk of this well. As a boy he had gone with his mother to draw its clear, cold water. It was, therefore, associated with the happy days of childhood and youth that lay behind the haze of the years. In the sultry afternoon, as, from the cave in which be was hiding, he looked across the valley where his ancestress Ruth had gleaned in the fields of Boaz, to the long straggling town of his birth, it seemed as though nothing could stay his passionate longing for a draught of the water of the well of Bethlehem that was at the gate.
Sometimes longings like his take possession of us. We desire to drink again the waters of comparative innocence, of child‑like trust and joy; to drink again of the fountains of human love; to have the bright, fresh rapture in God, and nature, and home. But it is a mistake to look back. Here and now, within us, Jesus is waiting to open the well of living water which springs up to eternal life, of which if we drink we never thirst.
Purity is better than innocence; the blessedness which comes through suffering is richer than the gladsomeness of childhood; the peace of the heart is more than peace of circumstances. We have solace in Jesus, which even the dear love of home could not equal; and before us lies the reunion with the blessed dead. How shall we thank Him who, at the cost of his own blood, broke through the hosts of our foes, and won for us the river of life; and who for evermore will lead us to the fountains, where life rises fresh from the heart of God! Listen to his voice as He bids us drink abundantly: "Let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Sermon Outline
- The Longing for Innocence
- The Mistake of Looking Back
- The Supremacy of Purity and Suffering
- The Solace of Jesus
- The Invitation to Drink Abundantly
- Jesus invites all to drink from the water of life
- The offer is free and available to all
Key Quotes
“Oh that one would give me drink of the water at the well of Bethlehem!” — F.B. Meyer
“Purity is better than innocence; the blessedness which comes through suffering is richer than the gladsomeness of childhood;” — F.B. Meyer
“Let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We should not look back to the past and long for what we had, but instead focus on the blessings and opportunities available to us now.
- Purity and suffering can bring a deeper and richer joy than the innocence and joy of childhood.
- We can thank Jesus for His sacrifice by accepting His offer of living water and living a life of obedience and devotion to Him.