Having grown up in the church, it continually amazes me the memories that will come back to my mind all these years later. Activities done in Sunday School, or VBS, or some other church activity will flood back vividly, every detail ingrained.
Even more amazing is when an old hymn will go through my mind. To remember the tune would be something in and of itself. To remember the first verse remarkable. But when the entire song ”“ several verses and the chorus ”“Â come flooding back, well to me that is a God thing.
The other morning, as I was drying my hair, I found myself humming a song. Not unusual except that it was a song I have not sung, nor even heard in years. In paying attention to the tune, I realized it was the hymn, “And He Walks With Me”.
It can only be God who brings the words to this feeble mind. I found myself singing …
“I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on roses
And the voice I hear falling
On my ear the son of God disclosesAnd 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 knownHe speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringingAnd 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 know.”
As I have thought about this as the day has worn on, I have come to realize two things –
God wants to teach and tell me things.
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him” (Psalm 25:10). I want the Lord to confide in me. The word ”˜confide’ “signifies a friendly conversation among friends”, according to the Old Testament Lexical Aids. It further explains that it is “used to denote a deliberation”. He carefully considers before deciding to confide. It is a deliberate discussion or reflection. May I be a person that He confides in.
The things that God deposits into my heart will remain there forever.
He will, by His Holy Spirit, bring them to my recall when I need the reminder. More so, He reveals those secret things so that I will follow Him and all His Words. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). May I be a person that He reveals those secret things.
May I treasure His confidences and secrets,
holding onto them closely and dearly.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and #RaRaLinkup .
*This is an edited post from an earlier date.
I find the same thing, and I tell the kids in my Sunday School to stuff all they can into their heads right now while their brains are sticky. The things I’ve memorized in the past ten years or so take constant review to stay put. The things I learned as a teen and young adult seem to be permanent.
Michele, it is amazing how we can draw upon past lessons, scriptures, and hymns. Things we thought we may have forgotten, the Lord has put there for His purposes to be retrieved as needed. So grateful for how He brings them to mind.
I love this! Those little nuggets of truth or encouragement that have been deposited long ago 🙂
Beautiful, Joanne! I love that old hymn … in fact, it’s framed and hanging right by the door that leads out to my backyard garden. 🙂
I love that, Lois, as it has to be such a powerful visual!
Such a great post, Joanne. Those two verses (Psalm 25:10 and Deut 29:29) have stood out in my mind and heart for years. I love the idea of being a person God confides in, invites into deeper friendship. Thank you for taking this desire a step further.
“He reveals those secret things so that I will follow Him and all His Words.”
I needed your post today. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, Jeanne, as I always appreciate your thoughts!