FROM THE SILENCE OF SADNESS
TO THE SILENCE OF THE GARDEN
When you experience silence, that particular silence of sadness, painful difficulty and uncertainty, I trust that you will hear the heavenly Voice gently say, "What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter." What a thrill it will be to fully understand God's purpose when we are all united in the Saviour's radiant Presence! For several years I have used my imagination to help describe for myself the loving intimacy of God's Presence. Because it is so simplistic, I hesitated to share it with others but I've come to realize that, when we're in pain, we're not so sophisticated after all.
Especially in times of pain, loneliness and fear, I would imagine a beautiful garden where the soft breeze is gentle and refreshing. It carries the lovely fragrance of sweet blossoms. It is that poignant time of evening and Jesus is sitting in the garden. I sit on the velvet grass at His feet and put my head on His knee. He puts His cool hand on my forehead and His other arm around me. His expression is so tender, His eyes are full of love and understanding, and nothing can distract His attention from me.
One Saturday morning, the words, "There is a garden," kept floating round in my head, to the tune of There is a River. I thought about it for a couple of minutes and then I sang some words to that tune. There is nothing profound about it and certainly, it is not great poetry; but it gives me a sense of appreciation for the precious intimacy of God's loving Presence.
Is your heart aching? Is your body hurting? Are you sometimes so weary that it is an effort even to breathe? Is the future filled with frightening possibilities that seem more like threatening probabilities?
Try singing these words ..
There is a garden,
Where Jesus can be found;
The gentle breeze brings fragrance
From blossoms all around.
His arms are 'round me,
His eyes are filled with love;
I'll never leave this garden,
'Til I go, with Him, above.
The Lord will never let you go under; He is bringing you through. Never forget that you are of priceless value to God and to His purpose. Anyone or anything that touches you, touches the apple of God's eye.
Jesus Christ not only dealt with sin but also with Satan. The devil can never harm a believer who will not harm himself because, when the Lord Jesus triumphed over our spiritual enemies, He disarmed them!
I trust that your valley of trouble will become a door of hope and expectation and that there will be praise in the very place of distress.
Whatever the circumstances, remember our victory declaration,
"FOR THIS I HAVE JESUS"