I WILL BE AS THE DEW UNTO ISRAEL .

 
November 18
Hosea 14:5
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow
as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

 

Our hearts by nature are like the dry, dead, and barren earth; there would be neither life, beauty, nor fruit, but for the grace of God.

 

And even after regeneration, we are as much dependent upon God, as the earth in the east is dependent upon the dew.

 

If there is no dew, there will be no fruit, and if there be no grace, there will be no real religion.

 

But our God has said, “I WILL BE AS THE DEW UPON ISRAEL.”

 

What the dew is to the earth, God will be unto His people.

 

Does the dew cool and refresh the earth?

      So will the Lord cool and refresh our souls with a sense of His love, and the tokens of His favour.

 

Does the dew soften and break the clods of the valley?

       So will our God soften and dissolve our hard and impenient hearts.

 

Does the dew prepare the ground for seed, and cause the same to vegetate and grow?

        So will our God prepare our hearts to receive the word, and cause it to grow and bring forth fruit.

 

Does the dew fall insensibly, and in the evening, when most needed?

      So will our God come unto us, when we most need His quickening and fructifying operations.

 

Come, Holy Ghost, as heavenly dew,

My parched soul revive;

The former mercies now renew,

Quicken and bid me live;

Thy fertilizing power impart,

And sanctify my barren heart.

 

James Smith