Hymns

Day 27 – In the Garden

I absolutely love this verse! The Lord could have picked a different word than “sup” here. He could have said, “I will talk with him,” or “I will sit with him.” Instead, Christ picked the word sup. There’s nothing more intimate than a meal together. Family meal time is a precious time for me. I look forward to sitting down with my family after a long day and reconnecting with one another. I love to hear the chatter and laughter – it’s music to my ears. Sitting around a table for meals is a time children will remember; at least this is true in my family.

One of Jesus’ names is “the Word of God.” I truly believe that Christ picked every word written in the Bible and chose each word very carefully. I believe He had every intention to use the word sup here. The Lord desires to make entrance into our lives and meet with us. Not just to talk, but to actually have an intimate time – a meal, if you will. He desires to sit with us for more than just a few minutes but for the time it takes to have a meal. He desires to have that chatter and laughter, and sometimes even tears, in our time with Him.

Today’s hymn is also one of my favorites. It really should be accompanied with Revelation 3:20 whenever it is sung, don’t you think? The songs we sing should stir our hearts and bring the Scriptures to life, stirring our hearts. This beautiful hymn was written by Charles Austin Miles. Mr. Miles was born on January 7, 1868, and passed away on March 10, 1946. He started out his career as a pharmacist but left it to write Gospel music. His first song was “List ‘Tis Jesus’ Voice.” I loved this quote by him,

It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire.

His desires were fulfilled, I would say! We sing a few of his songs in our own church.

In the Garden
Charles Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Refrain

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain

When I sing this song, my heart is stirred to the Word. I think of my Saviour’s voice calling to me to get saved – Praise the Lord! I think of how I was placed into the Saviour’s care by the Father and no one can remove me from that care. I can meet with Him any time I want – any where I want and He is there. The One who created me and all that is around me can still any storm in my life and provide the peace which passes all understanding.

It is a joy being saved, amen?! It is a joy to meet with the Saviour in our “garden”!