“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” John 20:18
- Austin Miles wrote the beautiful hymn “In the Garden” in 1912 after reading his favorite Bible chapter, John 20. It seemed he had become a part of the narrative as if he saw a vision and became a silent witness of the scene near the empty tomb of our risen Savior when Mary Magdalene saw the resurrected Lord. It was as if he heard Jesus say, “Mary!” He immediately took out his pen and wrote the poem as the words came to him, and later the same day he wrote the music.
The language is simple and intimate in the hymn as it describes a believer hearing the voice of God and responding with the words.
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.
Do you have that kind of intimacy with Christ? You can. He will not only walk and talk with you but He will dwell within you in the Holy Spirit. He is as close as the mention of His name. It is clearly stated in James 4:8 that if you draw close to God, He will draw close to you.
Dear Lord, walk with me today. Show me the right way to follow the paths you have laid out for men. Shine your almighty courage and strength into me. Bless me, my family and my friends. Guide me through life especially my hardships so that I may succeed in everlasting happiness.
Bro. Larry
