A
Time for Being Shut Away
Wade E Taylor
“A garden enclosed is My sister, My spouse; a spring
shut up, a fountain sealed.” Song of Solomon 4:12
Her first testimony had been:
“My Beloved is mine, and I am His: He feeds among the
lilies.” Song of Solomon 2:16
Her only concern is to know where the Lord is, and that He
would respond if she needed Him. The Lord accepted this, and
allowed the Bride to have all of the things she had desired.
At the same time, He began to draw her to Himself by causing
her to notice His interest in her.
“Behold, He stands behind our wall, He looks forth at
the windows, showing Himself through the lattice.” Song
of Solomon 2:9b
As she noticed that the Lord was looking through the window
toward her, longing to be invited into the “room”
of her spirit, there arose within her a deep inner stirring
toward Him. She began to intently desire “Him,”
rather than all the “things” that she had been seeking.
He (Jesus) acknowledged her “single eye,” which
was beginning to look toward Him alone, and in a penetrating
expression of love, He said to her, “O My Dove”
(Song of Solomon 2:14a). Because of her “single eye”
(she now desires Him, rather than all the things that He can
give), He can begin to inwardly change her into the Bride that
He desires her to be.
In the first confession of her spiritual condition, she said:
“My mother’s children were angry with me; they
made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have
I not kept.” Song of Solomon 1:6b
She had been a very dedicated worker “for” the
Lord. Even in the heat of the day, while others rested, she
worked until she became burned by the sun, (I am black, but
comely). During this time, she did not personally know the Lord;
neither did she know His voice, nor His leadings. She did only
as others told her to do (They made me the keeper of the vineyard).
She had been so faithful in doing all that was required of
her, that her own vineyard was being neglected. This neglected
vineyard speaks of the “ground” upon which the Lord
works in order to change us. This “ground” speaks
of the totality of all that we are and have, being consecrated
to the Lord. It encompasses all that the Lord uses to bring
about our spiritual development and growth.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
to good works, which God has before ordained that we should
walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
It is encouraging to know that the Lord will come to meet us,
even in the place of neglect, when we confess our need to Him.
It becomes “good ground” when we place the Lord
in full control of all that pertains to us, and invite Him to
come within the “room” (a set apart place) where
we meet with Him, and He with us.
“But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit,
some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who has
ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:8-9
This “good ground” is quality time that we have
set apart to meet with the Lord for intimate fellowship with
Him. Also, it is very important that we have a special place
(closet) that we have sanctified and set apart for our times
of fellowship with the Lord.
“But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and
when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in
secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you
openly.” Matthew 6:6
Along with this set apart time and place for intimate communion
with Jesus, we should make the total area of our “life
experience” to be as an “open door” for Him
to enter. We can do this by keeping the “poise”
of our spirit upward toward Him, no matter where we are, or
what we are doing. It is this that encourages and releases the
Lord to become active in making of us the Bride that He desires.
“Let the Bridegroom go forth of His chamber, and the
Bride out of her closet.” Joel 2:16b
The Lord will always use us to minister to, and meet the needs
of others. However, our times of communion “with”
Him are more important to Him than anything that we could do
“for” Him. He is to have the first place in our
lives.
“Come, My beloved, let us go forth into the field; let
us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards;
let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear,
and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you My loves.”
Song of Solomon 7:11-12
Notice that we are to “come” before we “go”
forth in ministry. Our ministry will be much more effective
and productive when it is the result of, and flows out from,
our times of communion with the Lord. Our spending time with
the Lord will greatly affect our relationship to Him, and to
others.
Many servants of the Lord, who fail or get into serious problems,
do so because of negligence at this very point. They work so
hard for the Lord that they become spiritually weakened and
succumb to temptation, or to side issues that take them from
the center of the Lord’s will and purpose for their lives.
This happened to the Bride. Thus, she confessed her failure,
“My mother’s children were angry with me.”
It is very important that we maintain quality times of worship,
prayer, waiting upon the Lord, and devotionally reading the
Word. She had neglected her own spiritual development and growth,
along with her times of intimate communion “with”
the Lord, through being busy working diligently “for”
Him. We must keep in mind that our ability to impart spiritual
substance and life to others, results from that which we have
first received.
We are called to work “with” the Lord, rather than
“for” Him.
“And He goes up into a mountain, and calls to Him whom
He would: and they came to Him. And He ordained twelve, that
they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to
preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out
devils.” Mark 3:13-15
I learned a principle many years ago that greatly affected
my life. “If we build God a house of devotion, He will
build us a house of ministry.”
If we are faithful in our part, which is “being with
Him;” then He will be faithful in His part, “to
send us forth.”
“That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures.” Proverbs 8:21
This “substance” is the very nature and life of
God imparted into our lives, so it can be given to others. We
cannot give what we do not have.
The Bride had asked the Lord to “Stay me with flagons,
comfort me with apples” (Song of Solomon 2:5a).
In response to her desire, He brought her to the banqueting
table, and blessed her so abundantly with all she wanted, that
she became filled beyond the capacity that she had at that time.
“For I am sick of love.” Song of Solomon
2:5b
We are to enjoy the blessings, and use to the fullest all of
the gifts that the Lord has given. Yet these are not meant to
be our goal. Rather, they are to be the means of meeting the
needs of others, and of enlarging our capacity, and our desire
for Him.
Outwardly, she seemed to be satisfied and content. However,
the Lord knew that inwardly, she could not continue to be satisfied
and fulfilled by just having these things. She had seen Him,
and was moved deep within her being toward Him. Now, He was
ready to show her that there was something “better”
that He desired for her, beyond all these “things”
that He was able to give to her.
He was waiting for her to invite Him to come within “the
secret place,” to commune with Him alone.
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek
after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days
of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire
in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
To accomplish this, He allowed her to enter into, or experience,
a time of spiritual darkness.
“By night on my bed I sought Him whom my soul loves.”
Song of Solomon 3:1a
During this time of darkness, all that was spiritual seemed
to become elusive or obscure. She realized the emptiness of
the possession of things alone, and frantically began to search
for Him.
“I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets,
and in the broad ways I will seek Him whom my soul loves.”
Song of Solomon 3:2a
During this time of searching, she began to understand how
incomplete she had been without Him. By the time she found Him,
a transformation had taken place within Her. She saw beyond
the limitation of the “things” she once sought after,
and was able to say:
“It was but a little that I passed from them (all these
things), but I found Him, whom my soul loves: I held Him, and
would not let Him go.” Song of Solomon 3:4a
The Lord expresses this same spiritual principle to the Church
at Laodicea.
“Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel you
to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich.”
Revelation 3:17-18a
The Laodicean’s sought after and were satisfied with
possessions. Therefore, the Lord spoke to them concerning their
true need, “gold tried in the fire.” Gold speaks
of the divine nature, His image and likeness being wrought out
within our being. We will become like Him, as we spend much
time with Him.
Now the Lord is ready to take her a step further. In order
to make a deep and lasting impression within her concerning
Himself, He brought before her a glorious revelation of His
person and presence, as He came forth from the wilderness, clothed
in all of His manifest glory and sovereign power.
“Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars
of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders
of the merchant? Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore
valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.” Song
of Solomon 3:6-7
Through this experience, she realized her need for Him, and
she felt the security and comfort of being with Him. She saw
the portrayal of His love for Her, along with the display of
His ability to protect her and bring her through even the most
difficult of situations.
Immediately after the excitement and glory of this experience,
the Lord made an arrangement where she became as a “garden
enclosed.” Here, she was separated, for a time, from all
material influences and outside activities, unto the Lord Himself.
During her time of “separation” within the Garden,
all that she had come to know about the Lord (facts and information)
will be made an “experiential reality” within her.
Then, in the Lord’s time and way, that which she had become
while separated to Him within the Garden, will find its full
expression and outworking through her life experiences and relationships
to others.
She is about to experience what the Lord meant when He said:
“Buy of Me gold tried in the fire.” Revelation
3:18
This “gold” is the very “substance”
of the nature and character of God imparted within her being.
This “Garden enclosed” is designed to bring forth
the very best from the potential that the Lord has seen to be
within us. Although this “garden” is situated in
a very beautiful setting, it represents a realm of intense “personal
dealings” (wilderness – a place where there is nothing
but the Lord), so she hesitated in entering.
The Lord knew she would attempt to leave before He could accomplish
within her all that He desired. He therefore built a high wall
around the Garden, making it completely “enclosed”
so she would not be able to leave. The Lord is able to keep
us where He has placed us.
This high wall also hindered all, except the Lord, from entering.
It separated her from all her past involvements, and the fellowship
of her friends, and from those who would attempt to occupy her
time, or divert her to a lesser realm of spiritual life experience
and attainment.
Also, during this set-apart time, her gifts failed to operate,
and her ministry was cut off. She is now separated from all
of the people, and things that she had become accustomed to,
and dependent upon. She has become as a “Garden enclosed,”
separated to the Lord, Himself.
The nine plants (Song of Solomon 4:13-14)
that are mentioned as being in this garden are types of the
nine-fold fruit of the Spirit. These represent the “quality”
of life that is beginning to develop and become manifest within
her, during this time of separation. The Garden in “bloom”
speaks of the spiritual maturity now unfolding within her -
a beautiful display of righteousness, peace, and joy, as she
grows in spiritual understanding and wisdom.
During this time of being set apart, there was often a desire
within her for expression, or ministry – “If I could
just get out and share this.” But the Lord had made her
a “Garden enclosed.”
Through being shut in by the Lord, for a season, she became
much more sensitive in her ability to recognize His presence,
and she is able to respond more promptly to His desire for her
fellowship. We were created for His pleasure (Revelation
4:11). There are times when the Lord desires to be
personally alone with us that He might sup with us, and in turn,
we with Him (Revelation 3:20). This will lead
us into the experience of “the fellowship of His sufferings”
(Philippians 3:10) in which He shares His burdens
with us.
There are many “levels” of separation. There are
those who are primarily called to a ministry of intercession.
Being an intercessor requires much more from us than our times
of prayer. It involves our becoming personally identified with
a need, or problem, in order to pray it through. Intercession
is born of the Spirit and operates through inner travail. It
means getting alone and wrestling with a burden until it is
brought to birth through the agony of birth pains. A ministry
of intercession produces far greater results than most may realize.
There are those that are called to this “hidden ministry”
of intercession who are not known to man, but known only to
the Lord, and have become as a “Garden enclosed”
to Him.
There are others who are shut in with the Lord in “hidden”
ministries, who have a part in bringing to birth those who desire
to go beyond their present spiritual experience. Some of these
had a vital part in the forming of my spiritual life. During
times when I was going through some very intense struggles,
through the agony of their prayers, intercession, and words
of wisdom, God was able to accomplish something special within
me. Without them, I could not be where I am today. There is
much responsibility and reward in a hidden ministry of this
type.
The Lord is looking to and fro across the earth for someone
to “stand in the gap;” someone who will stand between
the need and the Lord, and then travail until the Lord is able
to move upon the situation and accomplish His purpose.
There are those whom the Lord leads into this “Garden
enclosed” to remain there. Some of the Lord’s choicest
saints have been separated from all spiritual activity, and
are enclosed within this Garden, that the Lord might come to
them, as He desires, to enjoy times of fellowship and communion
with them. These the Lord has reserved for Himself.
The extravagance that our Lord expressed in His creation is
evident to us, which we all enjoy as we witness the manifold
and multi-colored flowers of spring, and then the rich brilliance
of color in the departing leaves of each fall. So also, the
Lord can afford the luxury of being extravagant in setting aside
“whom He will” for His purpose and glory. Thus,
within this “Garden enclosed” are those who are
so completely given to Him, that they are known to Him alone.
There are still others whom the Lord draws into this Garden
to stay for only a limited time. He leads these to leave the
“garden of His intimate presence” to become a witness
of all they received while there alone with Him, whom they intensely
love. These reluctantly leave His presence to minister to those
without, who desire more of the Lord, but are not yet ready
to be drawn into this Garden experience. As these pick “fruit”
from the lives of those who have been within the garden, they
also will be stirred to come within this Garden enclosed.
As Jesus entered the Garden of old to walk with Adam (Genesis
3:8), He yet comes into this “Garden enclosed”
to commune with His Bride. Here, as she basks in the warmth
of His presence, she prayed that the wind (Holy Spirit) would
come and blow upon her spiritual experience. She desired this
new inward beauty that is developing within her, to become as
a beautiful fragrance that will flow out from her being, and
fulfill His need for intimate communion.
“Awake, O north wind; and come, you south; blow upon
my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.” Song
of Solomon 4:16a
This “wind” is a type of the Holy Spirit. When
Nicodemus came to Jesus, the Lord dealt with him about entering
the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus asked if this was comparable to
re-entering the “womb.” Jesus responded by likening
it to the “wind.”
“The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound
thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and to where
it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8
The north wind represents chastening, or correction; the south
wind speaks of edification and blessing. This two-fold working
of the “north wind” brings first, a correction to
our spiritual walk by teaching us an application of the Word
to our need; and then, secondly, blessing and edification. The
desire of the Lord is to bring us through as quickly and painlessly
as possible.
When the Bride prayed, “Awake, O north wind,” she
was giving the Holy Spirit permission to bring about the needed
changes within her life, that she might be in alignment with
His desire for “communion” with her, and for her
“involvement” with Him in the outworking of His
purposes. Whatever the cost might be, she desired to flow in
harmony with Him. The Lord’s chastening hand upon our
lives is truly a great blessing when we understand the purpose
for it, and feel His love, as it is applied. As the Bride, we
should say, “Awake, O north wind, come and chasten (correct)
my relationship and walk with you.”
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens.” Hebrews
12:6
As the Holy Spirit worked within her in answer to her prayer
giving Him permission to chasten her, she noticed the changes
that were beginning to take place within her. Now she understood
that the purpose of the “north wind” was to change
her, that she might become a Bride who could truly please the
Lord. This caused worship and thanksgiving to rise up within
her, and flow out to Him. Now, she was able to ask with confidence,
and respond to His correcting hand as it was applied to her
life experience.
“Come, you south; blow upon my garden, that the spices
thereof may flow out.” Song of Solomon 4:16b
As she felt the warmth and comfort of the south wind, she was
able to enter a place of rest in His presence, knowing that
He would do what was right in her behalf, and that her response
was pleasing to Him.
There is a “lifting” quality to the presence of
the Lord. As we respond to His presence, we will begin to flow
with it, as being lifted by the south wind. As we continue to
wait in His presence, we will be quickened by the Holy Spirit
and empowered to move with Him, as He leads.
This is the “wheel within the wheel” in Ezekiel
1:16-17. As this takes place, it will be confirmed
to us through a further unfolding and understanding of His Word,
which will cause us to more deeply love and trust Him. As these
“north” and “south” winds each had their
effect upon her, and accomplished their purposes within her;
she cried out:
“Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant
fruits.” Song of Solomon 4:16c
He quickly responded to this and said:
“I am come into My garden … ” Song
of Solomon 5:1a
This speaks of His “manifest presence.” The Lord
is omnipresent; that is, He is everywhere. He fills heaven and
earth (see Jeremiah 23:24). But the manifest
presence of the Lord is something more than this. The word “manifest”
means that His presence becomes localized, and is made consciously
apparent to one or more of our physical five senses.
Through His “omnipresence” we are made aware of
the sovereign power of God and receive a sense of Divine presence
and power. However, through His “manifest presence,”
the Lord comes to us in such a way that we not only sense His
nearness, but also are made consciously aware of His Person
and personality. This brings us into an awareness and knowledge
of His mind, and of His feelings. Jesus said:
“If any man hear My voice, and open the door (the point
of transition from His omnipresence into His manifest presence),
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20b (comment added).
This “supping,” means an intimate, personal exchange.
Thus, the Lord comes to us in this intimate and personal way
to share His personality and thoughts with us.
“I am come into My garden, My sister, My spouse: I have
gathered My myrrh with My spice; I have eaten My honeycomb with
My honey.” Song of Solomon 5:1a
Then He adds:
“Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.”
Song of Solomon 5:1c
Notice the exchange, “Drink abundantly, O beloved.”
Then, “Eat, O friends.” Paul understood this principle
and applied it to his ministry.
“For we which live are always delivered to death for
Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our mortal flesh. So then, death works in us, but
life in you.” II Corinthians 4:11-12
Paul ministered his very life to others. All true ministry
includes the giving of the spiritual substance of the minister’s
life, along with the Word that he ministers. Many come to feed
upon the lives of those who have this quality of “spiritual
substance” within them, and then go away, leaving them
drained. This is especially true of those who are heavily anointed
and have a ministry of spiritual impartation. Thus, ministry
works death (being spiritually drained) in the one who is giving,
but life in all those who receive. Jesus said:
“Verily, verily, I say to you, Except you eat of the
flesh of the Son of Man, and drink of His blood, you have no
life in you.” John 6:53
After a time of giving out in ministry, we must come back to
the Source of all life - our Lord Jesus Christ, and partake
again of His life, in order to regain that which has been given
out to others.
The Lord comes to fellowship with us, and also, to change and
strengthen us, while we are alone with Him in this “Garden
enclosed.” Then He shares us with others, who presently
are not able to come into this place of intimate communion with
Him. We feed on the Lord, then “others” can come
and feed on us, and thereby receive His life through us. This
places a great responsibility upon each of us, that the true
source of our life be Jesus. Others must not be drawn to us,
but directed to Jesus.
As others partake of our spiritual life and experiences, a
spiritual hunger will be created within them. As this partaking
continues, these will begin to become discontented, and will
realize that there is something better than continuing to be
satisfied with “feeding” on the experiences of another.
Then, they will begin to look for the Lord Himself. Now, they
also can ask the Lord:
“Tell me, O You whom my soul loves, where You feed, where
You make Your flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as
one that turns aside by the flocks of Your companions?”
Song of Solomon 1:7
The Lord will answer and say,
“If you know not ... go your way forth by the footsteps
of the flock.” Song of Solomon 1:8a
That is, “find one who knows and has experienced the
way.” It is very important at this point, that we ourselves
know the way, and then are able to lead those who are seeking
“something more,” to the Lord Himself. Many will
be enabled to come into a greater experience in the reality
of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, and into a deeper personal
relationship with Him, because we have been spending time with
Jesus, and have learned to sup with Him.
Through our times of communion and prayer, as we continue to
sup with the Lord, we receive much spiritual “substance”
into our being. Now, the Lord will allow others to come and
feed on us, because we have fed on Him.
“Eat O friends; drink, yea drink abundantly.” Song
of Solomon 5:1c
Notice that the Lord gladly tells others that they can come
and feed on our spiritual life and experience.
There is a tremendous need in our day for those who have a
“quality relationship” with the Lord, and have “spiritual
substance” within their lives. These, in turn, will be
able to feed others, whose spiritual hunger has not yet found
a place of satisfaction.
If this is your desire, allow the Lord to lead you into the
“garden enclosed” that He has prepared specifically
for you. Only then will you be ready to enter into a cooperative
relationship with Jesus in all that He is about to do among
the nations at this present time.