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Mention of the king's garden by Nehemiah brings to mind the paradise which the
King of kings prepared for Adam. Sin has utterly ruined that fair abode of all
delights, and driven forth the children of men to till the ground, which yields
thorns and briers unto them. My soul, remember the fall, for it was thy fall.
Weep much because the Lord of love was so shamefully ill-treated by the head of
the human race, of which thou art a member, as undeserving as any. Behold how
dragons and demons dwell on this fair earth, which once was a garden of
delights.
See yonder another King's garden, which the King waters with his bloody
sweat-Gethsemane, whose bitter herbs are sweeter far to renewed souls than even
Eden's luscious fruits. There the mischief of the serpent in the first garden
was undone: there the curse was lifted from earth, and borne by the woman's
promised seed. My soul, bethink thee much of the agony and the passion; resort
to the garden of the olive-press, and view thy great Redeemer rescuing thee from
thy lost estate. This is the garden of gardens indeed, wherein the soul may see
the guilt of sin and the power of love, two sights which surpass all others.
Is there no other King's garden? Yes, my heart, thou art, or shouldst be such.
How do the flowers flourish? Do any choice fruits appear? Does the King walk
within, and rest in the bowers of my spirit? Let me see that the plants are
trimmed and watered, and the mischievous foxes hunted out. Come, Lord, and let
the heavenly wind blow at thy coming, that the spices of thy garden may flow
abroad. Nor must I forget the King's garden of the church. O Lord, send
prosperity unto it. Rebuild her walls, nourish her plants, ripen her fruits, and
from the huge wilderness, reclaim the barren waste, and make thereof "a King's
garden. "
"The king's garden." - Nehemiah 3:15
See Also:
Daily Devotional: Today With Jesus
Daily Devotional: My Utmost for His Highest
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