I Should Thank GOD For The Difficult Wilderness Journey.

I can take my Elim with me 

through the great wilderness!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled
on to the oasis of Elim, where they found
twelve springs of water and seventy palm 
trees. They camped there beside the water."
Exodus 15:27

If I were not a pilgrim journeying 

through the wilderness--

I could not know the refreshment of Elim. 

If I did not taste the bitterness of Marah--

the pleasanter waters of Elim would 

lose half of their delightfulness. 

Therefore I should thank GOD 

for the difficult wilderness journey, 

and the keen afflictions along the way.

Elim brings supply. The oasis 

has its twelve springs of water--

one for each of the tribes in Israel. 

And if I am journeying under GOD'S 

leadership, in fellowship with HIS people, 

towards HIS promised land--

how many are the aids, and how 

varied is the provision, with which 

the King of the way furnishes me!

Sunday worship comes week after week.

The Word of life and peace, is in my hands.

I have the Throne of Grace, to which I 

can resort in all my times of need.

There are golden days of peculiar privileges, 

and sweet fellowship with Christian friends.

Never should I be without the living water.

Elim brings shade. Above the twelve springs 

of water, rise straight and stately palm trees--

seventy of them, as many as the seventy 

years of man's life on earth. They come 

between me, and the remorseless blaze 

of the sun. They secure for me a welcome 

coolness and refreshment.

JESUS, our adorable redeemer, is a shade 

from the blazing heat of divine justice. HE is . . .

  shelter from the just condemnation of my sin,

  shelter from the cruel onslaught of temptation,

  shelter from the hardening effects of sorrow,

  mercy to pardon, and grace to help!

Elim also brings rest. 

"They camped there beside the water"--

and I should do likewise. It may be . . .

  that the wilderness stretches on every hand,

  that tomorrow I shall be in the desert sun once more,

  that the end of my pilgrim's journey is far off.

Yet, I have the cheering memory of GOD'S 

supply and GOD'S shadow to solace me.

In my pilgrim journey through this wilderness, 

hardship cannot be avoided. Yet, I can 

take my Elim with me through the great 

wilderness, and I need never lack the 

"twelve springs of water and 
seventy palm trees."

There is something much amiss, if ever
my heart ceases to be quiet and confident,
and if I ever forget to raise the song that
tells of rest beneath the palm-trees and
joy beside the springs of water.

   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

GraceGems has published John Newton's helpful letter,
"Without Me you can do nothing".