This was originally written a couple of years ago, when the Secret Garden was a new place for me to sit and "rest" and pray and worship the Lord. I am sorry to say that I have fallen away from that daily habit in the years since, although I do still go out there periodically when I really need to just be "silent" before the Lord. I think I am due for a visit, but not today. It's been raining non-stop all day and is about 48 degrees out there right now. However, since this is a Sunday afternoon, my thoughts have been on resting in the Lord. This past week was full of turmoil in the world, and my heart and soul need a rest from the news and sorrow of how dark our nation is becoming. So come along with me as we enter the Secret Garden and sit silently and give our hearts and minds some "rest".
Original Post 1/28/17:
As we enter the Secret Garden today, this song comes back to me once again:
"The Lord is in His holy temple,
The Lord is in His holy temple;
Let all the earth keep silence,
Let all the earth keep silence before Him,
Keep silence, keep silence before Him."
Amen
In yesterday's post I wrote about Psalm 37, and in the process of reading that passage, verse 7 in particular...please note where it says "REST in the Lord...", there is a reference in my Bible that says the words "Rest in the Lord" literally means "Be silent to the Lord, and it gives a reference to Psalm 62:1, which says "Truly my soul silently waits for God..."
Well, since writing yesterday's post these words keep coming back to me, especially in the form of the call to worship chorus "The Lord Is In His Holy Temple", which is actually a quote from Habakkuk 2:20. In trying to understand how the words "REST in the Lord" equates with the translation "Be SILENT to the Lord", the Lord drew my attention back to this song...and it's as if God is making a point here to me to notice something in this song that further explains what He means by REST=SILENCE.
Let us look at this music score together so we can further understand what God is telling me through this passage:
Do you see where it says, "Let all the earth keep silence" and then there is a little note or musical symbol after the word SILENCE...and that symbol is actually called a REST, which means that the singer and the instruments literally stop and REST, or be SILENT for just that moment before continuing on to the next phrase/note. If you will further "note" (pun intended) the REST comes again after "Let all the earth keep silence before Him, and then every time after the word "Silence", there is another REST! Do you see what I see???
Lord, I love that YOU are making this point, especially in light of the fact that my "One Word" for 2017 is REST...and here I am, attempting to do just that as I come before Your presence here in this place that has been set apart particularly for worship, meditation, and REST in You. I am in awe of what You are showing me as we come together each day. Even though we are learning here that REST=SILENCE, I am seeing that in this time of RESTing in You, and being SILENT to You, I am learning more about what it means to truly WORSHIP YOU. The only thing is, it really is difficult for me to be SILENT when everything we do here leads me to give You praise! However, I know there is something beautiful in silently coming before the Lord...and waiting on You to lead the way.
These songs come to my mind and voice as I think about this...
"Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit Divine."
("Open My Eyes That I May See" by Clara H. Scott)
and
"Spirit of the Living God,
Fall fresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall fresh on me.
Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall fresh on me."
("Spirit of the Living God" by Daniel Iverson)
Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to come into Your Presence each day. As I leave this place today, I am refreshed and rested. I am learning more about what it means to be silent before the Lord...and to allow His soothing Presence to calm my spirit and fill me with His Spirit...and then I am better equipped to tackle whatever comes along.
Praise God!
Amen.
