My mother had a beautiful soprano voice. As a young woman, she worked with an evangelistic team as a Bible worker, but she also sang for the meetings and often on radio. As a young child, it was not unusual for me to sit alone on the front pew on Sabbath morning while she sang in the choir, led the congregational hymns, or had special music.
One of her favorite hymns, one she sang quite often for special music, was “In the Garden.” It has become one of my favorite hymns as well; so much so that I have memorized all the verses and as I contemplate each one, this hymn takes on an even greater significance to me, particularly the chorus.
He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me, I am His own
Think of it, Jesus telling you that you are His! Mrs. White tells us that there was a “sweet melody” in His voice, full of sympathy and tenderness (The Publishing Ministry, 269).
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet, the birds hush their singing
“Jesus’ voice of invitation is heard, Come unto Me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest; take My yoke [not a yoke that you have manufactured] and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [See Matthew 11:28, 29.] Take all your temporal concerns to Jesus. … You can say, I have laid down all my burdens at the feet of Jesus. I have committed myself without reserve into His care. He has me in charge; I am not my own; I am bought with a price.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 12, 106
It is true that we cannot with our eyes see Him today or physically walk with Him in the way, but with eyes and a heart of faith we can be certain that He is with us, that He speaks to us through the study of His word and through the power of His Holy Spirit.
“[T]he Holy Spirit can strengthen our spiritual eyesight, enabling us to see what our natural eyes cannot see, or our ears hear, or our minds comprehend. By the Spirit which searches all things, even the deep things of God, have been revealed precious truths which cannot be described by pen or voice.
“In all who will submit themselves to the Holy Spirit a new principle of life is to be implanted; the lost image of God is to be restored in humanity. …
“The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit. All who would be saved, high or low, rich or poor, must submit to the working of this power.
“Every heart that has been visited by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will reveal the working of the Spirit of God in voice, mind, and character.” Sons and Daughters of God, 34
And the joy we share, as we tarry there,
None other has ever known
Lord, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to know Your voice and to feel Your presence every day.