Preserved in the Wilderness

When the curse fell on me
When the evil one shouted
I saw the shadows of defeated soldiers
Huddled in the back of the cave
I joined them, longing to be free.

Thru the night a voice fell
A lover was set loose
With a scent of life in the air
North wind awakened
Perfume too fair to tell

And I looked from the height
Where the cave opened
Onto the cliffs
Acacia trees small but strong
Pointed to a glimmering light

En Gedi with Henna blossoms
Singing a Lover’s melody
Drawing me out of the cave
Lifting me out of the desert
Into my lover’s bosom

Only in the wilderness heat
Will the cave protect
Will the Acacia grow
Will the Oasis rise
Will the healing stream
Will the Lover meet.

Oh Glorious Lover so sweet
So far above the schemers curse
You brought me here
To find your choicest gifts
And to search the caves calling
Other weary soldiers, “Come and eat.”

–bg

“My lover is to me a sachet of myrhh resting between my breasts, my lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.”  (Song of Songs 1: 13 – 14 NIV)

“Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth (the Rock of Parting.) And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.”  (1 Samuel 23: 28-29 NIV)

The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3

Dear Lord,

May You open our and our beloved Prodigals’ eyes to see Your strong and sturdy Acacia Trees growing in the midst of the wilderness place. Show us and them how they point the way to the springs of life set up in the midst of the caves of hiding there. For You are strong and incorruptible like those Acacia Trees. You are the Sign given by Your Father to point us to Life Everlasting. You are the choicest of gifts, the blossoms of the Henna Plant with fragrance of life not death. Thank You for the healing water that flows from Your throne in Heaven, reaching even unto us and our beloved Prodigals.

Amen           

(This poem and prayer were originally shared as encouragement with “The Beloved Prodigal” Community.)