OUR ELIMS AND MARAHS by N. Y. Evangelist

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 23, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 49.

OUR ELIMS AND MARAHS.

By N. Y. Evangelist

God's mercies come so closely upon the heels of what we call our troubles, that they seem to be intended as compensations for his children. On their journey from the bondage of Egypt to the earthly Canaan, the children of Israel found Elim, with its twelve fountains of cool and refreshing water, and its threescore and ten palm trees with their grateful shade, but one station from Marah, with its waters of bitterness. They seem to have been led to it, and to have rested there, as a compensation for the afflictions at Marah, and perhaps in sight of it. So closely upon our sorrows follow undeserved mercies all along our journey to the "rest that remaineth for the people of God." We are very apt to retain a vivid remembrance of the former, and to be very prompt in forgetting the latter, if indeed we recognize them at all, and to do very much as the old Israelites did. We may not mean it, but we do it all the same. Our Elims, of which we would find many more than we do if our eyes were not so blinded by tears, are sent for the renewal and increase of our spiritual strength along our pilgrimage. Using them for that purpose, we will travel on patiently and faithfully, thankful both for Marahs and Elims, until we untie our worn and dusty sandals, and cast aside our pilgrim staves at the open gates of the New Jerusalem.—N. Y. Evangelist.