I am always amazed how the Spirit of God works. Let me give you an example what I mean, by sharing something that happened recently. I often receive emails or “Instant Chats,” or maybe I meet someone at the store . . . whatever the occasion or format involved, I suddenly discover the Lord getting involved. Just the other day, I was chatting with a friend and he said,
I think I will just try to make it into next year. I am just Just….
I replied, “You are a mighty man of faith with the power and strength and wisdom of Almighty God. You are endowed with His Glory and infused with His Spirit.”
Just in case you were wondering, I had no idea why I said that or what brought up that message, but I strongly felt he needed some encouragement.
He replied:
Funny you should say that, I was just talking to God about that very thing this morning. That was indeed a message for me. He knows how to talk to us though, doesn’t he?
“Cool! I was sitting here and that message simply rose up within me. I felt that our Lord simply wanted to assure you of your place in His heart and in His Kingdom.”
That makes me cry with joy. It is just what we spoke of this morning.
Amazing!
See what I mean? That seems to happen often and I am simply amazed at how the Spirit of God will rise up and take over a conversation. We can see this demonstrated in the life of the Maiden, in the Song of Solomon. I will often take people to the fifth chapter of the “Song,” because it has a perfect illustration of this “yielding” and “ministering,” that the Holy Spirit is so good at.
In the “Song,” the maiden (symbolizing a disciples of Christ) is compared to a secret garden that holds a “covered well,” symbolizing the spirit, the heart of this disciple. Now this is the private garden and belongs solely to the King, and he alone can remove the cover of this well. When the Lord comes to this garden, he does not enter alone. He brings his friends, his lovers (Song 5:1)
If you compare this to John 15:14-15; 14:21, he is bringing along those who have his commandments and keep them—those who do his will. What is important to notice about this is that the Lord shares the fruit of the maiden’s life only with those who truly love him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. To these, he gives the intimate fruit of the maiden’s life, in order to feed their soul.
Now remember, this is not a public garden but a private sanctuary (Song 4:12) The maiden is also compared to a sealed spring. The fountains are not for public usage nor are they to run at random, whenever they choose to “open the well.” This is a private garden belonging to the Lord of Glory and the spring of waters within it are owned by him. It is the Lord himself that invites his friends and lovers to partake of the fruit he has grown there, as well as to drink the living water he has placed there. It is never left to the maiden’s prerogative or choice to give these things out to those who pass by.
You can find a beautiful picture of this in a story about Jacob. In Genesis 29:1-10, Jacob represents Jesus, the sons of the east represent those who have a heart that is opened to God. In this text, you see Jacob on a journey when he came to the land of the “sons of the east.” There he saw a well in the field, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was very large and when all the flocks were gathered, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.
Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?”
“We’re from Haran,” the replied.
He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?”
“Yes, we know him,” they answered.
Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?”
“Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.”
“Look,” he said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”
“We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”
While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw Rachel, daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. —Genesis 29:1-10
Just as the maiden’s well is covered, so is the well in the above story (Genesis 29:2; Song 4:12) There were other flocks of sheep waiting to be watered. But when it was only when Jacob (representing Jesus) saw Rachel coming with the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, he rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the sheep (Genesis 29:9-10)
Laban’s sheep represent those who do the will of God (Mark 3:33-35) In interpreting this parable, you should notice that Jacob himself rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered those who desired God’s will. The well did not water the sheep on its own—nor were the sheep able to simply drink of the well on their own. Someone had to roll away the stone or unseal the well so that the water could flow out.
In the same way, within us is that everlasting water and precious fruit that our Lord has grown. We don’t have to worry about giving out this precious life—because it is not ours to give. Only Jesus can unlock the garden or unseal the spring. He is the only one who can give permission for others to enter. No matter how much we might long to witness to someone or desire to share with others, unless the Lord himself removes the seal from the well, or unlocks the garden, all our striving is in vain.
On the other hand, we may find ourselves in situations where the idea of actually ministering to the person in front of us is the farthest thing from our mind. Suddenly, we may become aware that the Spirit of God is ministering to that person through us, watering and feeding them. What has happened? The Lord has brought his friends and lovers into his garden. The Lord knows those who are his and those who are thirsty; he is well able to quench their thirst and give them the water of life without cost.
If we will allow the Lord to cultivate the garden of our soul, he will take what he has grown there and he will feed his sheep who need nourishment and refreshment from the produce He has grown and the water in the “well” of our spirit.
Father, that’s what I what between us! I want to be so sensitive to your Spirit and when a need is present you can feel free to speak through me. I pray that my words would be words of encouragement and strength to others. My great desire is for you to see your life lived through me. I love you my Lord. You are the most wonderful treasure of my life.
