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 Waters, the refreshing waters of truth, still continue to flow.

But in order to draw water from the Rock, it is essential that the command of the Lord be obeyed, "Thou shalt smite the Rock, and there shall come water out of it." The most trivial things, as connected with the common wants of life, cannot be obtained without some exertion; and the man is deceiving himself who expects without any mental exertion on his part to have his mind refreshed and gladdened with the water of life—with that Truth which shall free him from the fetters of error, and open his eyes to the light and realities of heaven. Any man who is literally thirsty, will use exertion to procure water; and he who is spiritually thirsty, or desires the truth, will be most anxious to obtain it—all the powers of his soul will be exerted to obtain the refreshing draught—he will smite the Rock.

When Moses, at the command of God, smote the Rock with his rod, the very act shewed that there was a communication and conjunction effected between the two, the rod touched the rock, and then the waters flowed. Thus to smite or touch the Rock, denotes an ardent application of the mind to the study of the Word of Revelation—it is a putting forth of the power of the soul, and humbly entreating the Lord to open the wonders of His Word. It is similar to the prayer of David, "Open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wonders of Thy law." When the sincere Christian, from an humble heart, applies to the sacred Word, so as to touch it, or from affection to entreat the Lord to open its secret treasures, the Rock is instantly discovered to be full of living waters, and