The Wells and the Pools

"Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools." Psalm 84:6

There are two water sources in this verse, wells and pools. Interesting. The Psalmist is saying, "When a man is in the valley of Baca, he may have refreshment from two different places." He may get it by activity (wells), or he may get it by passivity (pools). He may get that refreshing supply from a well that others' hands have dug. Or he may get that refreshment from the handless pools which rain has filled. In the case of the well, I work for my consolation, dipping into the water of another's work. But then there is a time, a season where the digging is over, where the servant is still to drink, but now from another well. Have you yet to experience these two refreshments? Sometimes you get water by digging. Comfort when the well-doing of service gives a treasure. And at other times, that blessing comes when you drink by the hand of another. Though these wells are dug on earth, they are from heaven. And these are the most frequent refreshments.

Yet we could be better at digging wells in the valley of Baca. The heavy heart makes weak hands. In our prosperous hours, we use the wells more than the pools. But in my hour of greatest need, I chiefly depend on the pools. My digging power is small, but the pools of Christ run deep.

Can we say, "I bless Thee, O Lord, for these waters sent from heaven! I bless Thee for the strength that comes to me without my effort! Often has it come to me just when I had given up the digging— just when I had thrown away the spade in despair. When my human efforts had ended, heavenly springs began. And at times, the water denied at the wells has appeared in the pools, and I am refreshed from above. The valley of Baca is a valley still. The ground is dusty and dry; my hands are too feeble to dig a well below. But when I look up it is all accounted for. Thy rain filleth the pools, O LORD!"