“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.

To be continued in our next issue....

Waiting On God - Dr. Bill Stephenson
I want to encourage you to wait in stillness before the Lord in you for a few minutes. I pray the Lord will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation into the deep mysteries of God Himself.  May the Lord open the eyes of your heart so that you will intimately and deeply know Christ Jesus in you as your life. I ask the Lord to grant you, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual understanding  of your crucifixion, death, burial, suffering, quickening, resurrection, and seating in the heavenly places in union with Him. I also pray you will know experientially the hope of His calling within you, His inheritance in you, and the exceeding greatness of His resurrection power toward and within you.