Pilgrims progress - coming UP out of the wilderness

I heard a very good sermon last Sunday on coming up out of the wilderness. Preached from Song of Solomon. The bride was leaning on her beloved as she came up out of the wilderness - a lovely picture of the believer leaning on Christ. It is like the poem ...

Footsteps in the sand

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamt he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:

"Oh my precious. precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
I didn’t leave you, it was then that I carried you."

... well worth a listen!

Guidance

I was reminded this evening when we sung this hymn how, several months ago, when in one of life's dilemas I noticed that the children's memory verse for the week was: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32v8. It was a great help and comfort to me and I was able to be still and wait, in the knowledge that my heavenly Father has his eye upon me.

How blest are they whose trespass
has freely been forgiven,
whose sins are wholly covered
before the sight of heaven.

So let the godly seek thee
in times when thou art near;
no whelming floods shall reach them
or cause their hearts to fear.

"I graciously will teach thee
the way that thou shalt go,
and, with my eye upon thee,
My counsel make thee know.

“but do not be unruly
or slow to understand;
be not perverse, but willing
to heed My wise command."

Then in the LORD be joyful,
in song lift up your voice;
be glad in God, ye ransomed:
rejoice, give thanks, rejoice!

The Psalter,1912