Console my people, console them says the Lord . Isaiah 40:1. The consolation of Jerusalem is consolation for all. The comfort obtained by one may often prove serviceable to another; just as wells would be used by the company who came after. A well may be dug by a pilgrim for himself, but has proved quite as useful to others. We notice this in the Psalms as well, such as that beginning, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” …hope in God I will praise Him still my savior and my God. Psalm 43:5.
The pilgrims digs the well, but, strange enough, it is filled 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 means are connected with the end, but they do not of themselves produce it. 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. We have Jesus as our consolation. The Good Shepherd, who is ever ready to sacrifice himself for our sake just to give us abundant graces. He is ready to search for and save the Lost.
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 we obtain consolation from Him who is the giver of consolations. The Good Shepherd. May we have showers of blessing, and may the wells the Saints have digged up in sacrifice 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!
The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism.
May you come with your power.
May we never lose our patience at our already close-by divine blessings. May God’s grace speak for you and may St. Ambrose who played an important role in the conversion of St. Augustine and in the life of St. Monica pray for you. Amen. God bless and strengthen you always!
Osho
