xxxv. 7. _And the parched ground shall become a pool._
Read for "parched ground" _mirage,_[1] and it suggests the inquiry,
what would be the feelings of a wearied traveller if the mirage he
was vainly pursuing should suddenly become a pool? It would be new
life to him; if the vision became a reality, it would be enough. But
it is not only the traveller in southern deserts beneath the burning
sky that sees visions of beauty floating before his gaze. Countless
thousands thirst for something better and nobler than they have. So
it has been from the beginning; and 2500 years ago the prophet
declared that in the days of the Messiah the soul's desires should be
satisfied, that that which had been only a vision should become a
reality, the mirage should become a pool.
+I. Past prediction has become actual fact:+ in Christ ideal visions
have become realities.
1. In bygone days some nobler souls dreamed dreams of a perfect human
character. The "Phædo" of Plato is an illustration of this. But the
dream remained a dream until Jesus of Nazareth lived among men. In
Him all excellences that were scattered were localised, focused,
centralised; and in Him we see of what nobleness our nature is
capable. 2. The yearning of some is for truth, pure truth, stripped
of all human accretions and confusions. How earnestly search has been
made for it! In this search philosophy and theology have been
traversed and ransacked. But it is to be found only in Christ. He
Himself declared, not vainly, "I am the truth." In Him are "hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 3. In others, conscience is
the most active faculty. Sin is to them a burden and a torment. They
yearn for peace of conscience. No suffering seems to them too great
if this can be attained. But they never find it until they seek it in
Christ. Coming to Him, they are filled with "the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding." The vision has become a reality; the
reality goes beyond the vision. 4. There are others led on by visions
of a strong virtue and a noble life. They struggle against their
passions and the allurements of the world. But alas! how numerous and
lamentable are their defects! They never learn the secret of victory
until they come to Christ; but when they have done this, presently
they find that with truth they can say, "I can do all things through
Christ who strengtheneth me." 5. Happiness. Who has not had visions
of it? Who has not sought it? But, alas! the confession to which we
are all brought is that of Solomon: "Vanity of vanities! all is
vanity!" And yet even this thirst is satisfied in Christ--profoundly,
exultantly satisfied. In Him we find a happiness that breaks forth in
song, and triumphs over the pains and sorrows of this mortal life.
The mirage has become a pool.
+II. Actual fact is present prediction;+ in Christ ideal vision will
become realities. The soul still thirsts--1. For perfect purity;
2. For perfect rest from the carking cares of earth, and infinite
calm in Jesus' love; 3. For the perfect communion of saints. In
vision John saw all this in the new Jerusalem; and to all who are
Christ's indeed they shall all become realities (1 Cor. ii. 9).
1. Let those to whom the prediction of our text has been fulfilled
tell the glad news to others. 2. All for those who have had these
visions all their lives, but up to this moment have been utterly
disappointed, (1) let them learn from the experience of others, who
tell them they never knew truth and happiness until they sought them
in Christ; (2) let them listen to the voice of rest; (3) let them be
sure that until they do come to Christ, the parched ground will never
become a pool. The soul needs more than the vision, however bright
and beautiful it may be; it needs the reality, and the reality can be
found only in Christ.--_Clement Clemance, D.D._