In the Garden

In the Garden

Let's establish a quiet time! Let's do it!

I hope you know the song "In the Garden." If not, please stop, Google it & take the time to relax and listen.

Did you hear these words, "I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses"? What a peaceful picture is offered in these words! The song continues with the following, "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."

The song is beautiful. C. Austin Miles wrote this song in 1912, and it is reported that he based it on the joy he felt after reading John 20. This song has certainly stood the test of time, and it has been recorded numerous times over the years by a variety of artists including, Alan Jackson, Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, and Anne Murray. 

The pictures created by this song are so beautiful and peaceful and calming. One of my favorite Bible verses is Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Walking with the Lord seems like a wonderful way to pass my days.

But how? I have a spouse, four children, a full-time job. How in the world do I "walk with the Lord."

By making time with the Lord a priority. Taking a few minutes to quiet your heart and connect with the Creator makes all the difference in the world. It is worth it.

Trust me. I have had to face many days when I did not seek the Lord. Looking back, I find many of those days to be full of stress, anxiety, and less than ideal reactions by me. It would be intriguing, and humbling, for me to look back on how those days might have been different if I had taken the time to connect with the Lord before facing my day.

Why make time for a quiet time? This answer comes from Scripture and is filled with so many promises that come directly from the Lord: Isaiah 40:28-31
"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
 they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Why have a quiet time? Break these verses down into a strong rationale to find time to meet with the Lord each day.

1. Use quiet time to acknowledge your Creator and His endless power. v 28
2. He will give that power and strength to you. v 29
3. Everyone gets tired, worn out, and weary. You are not alone! v 30
4. Have hope that God will sustain you with His strength and might. v 31
5. God will help you to soar! v 31

Why have a quiet time?

"....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."  

Father, I know you are my God and my Savior. I want to meet with You. Help me to create a habit of seeking You and Your strength to get me through each day. In Christ's Name. Amen.