Let us turn to the Song of Solomon and chapter 4. The Song of Songs, chapter 4, and we shall read from verse 10. How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! How much better is thy love than wine, and the smell of thy anointments than all spices! Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under thy tongue, and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, camphire with spikenard, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon with all trees of frankincense. myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices, a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits. When we come to this book, we have a key that opens it, Christ and his church. Under the figure of King Solomon and his young bride, is set forth the Lord Jesus and his bride, that is, all true believers, his church. And you notice in verse 10 how that our Lord describes his church as my sister, my spouse. My sister, because he is of the same nature by his incarnation, He's one with us in the ties of flesh and blood. But my spouse, that's one with us in spiritual union, in marriage union. And all that we read in this book should be understood in that light. It is the love song about our union with Jesus and our communion with him. These holy and precious words are the interchange of love between the Lord and us if we are Christians. In this chapter four, we notice verse 10, how fair is thy love. That's him speaking of us. And it's not only our persons that are delightful to the Lord, but our love to him. that is his delight as well. This means so much to him. You remember his question to Peter, lovest thou me? And that is said to every one of his people. And when we can say, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee, that is so precious to him. But then in verse 16, the last verse of chapter four, We find our Lord speaking of his church under a different metaphor, not now his bride, but his garden. And there are different metaphors in this book that are all setting forth basically the same thing. And now we find that our Lord is calling for certain things to happen to us. And as we shall see, these things are called upon to happen to us so that they might, through grace, increase our love for him, in which he delights, and also the other graces of the Spirit in us that he wants to bring forth from us. And so this verse 16 is our text this morning. The words of the Lord Jesus at this point, awake, O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out, and then the words of the bride, let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits. So let us see first of all the garden, the Lord saying, my garden, and we saying, his garden. And it's a metaphor for the church that's found elsewhere. For instance, in Isaiah 58 verse 11, thou shalt be like a watered garden. Now, when we read of this word garden, We are not to understand it like the gardens that we are used to in our country. We know that when we think of a garden, all of us think about an area of earth at the back of the house, perhaps at the front as well, laid to lawn or flower beds or vegetable plot. easily cultivated, although a constant battle against weeds and other things, but by and large it's nicely enclosed and it is common to every house, really, wherever you look. But a garden in the time of the Old Testament and in Israel was very different. By and large the land was like a wilderness and a garden had to be something that was really reclaimed and it was fenced or bordered by thorn bush or dry stone wall but you had to cultivate it, you had to irrigate it You had to spend endless time on it to get it to something that would receive seed and things that would eventually grow. And so a garden was something separated, unique and very special compared with the wilderness around it. So it was like an oasis really in a wilderness. Now here, The Lord mentions, along the lines of this figure, the Christian graces that are in his people. In verse 16, the spices thereof, the aromatic plants that were grown in the garden to make fragrant ointment and perfumes. such as we read in verse 13, pomegranates, campfire, spikenard, saffron, calamus, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, aloes, chief, spices, all these things. and they were wonderful to see, wonderful to smell, to catch the fragrance and the aroma, when everything else about it was dry and arid and barren. And this stands for what God's grace produces in his people, the spices thereof. Faith, love, repentance, holiness, patient continuance, a forgiving spirit, godly humility, teachableness, a Christian spirit, receiving the word, obedience, service, the spices thereof of his planting, of his cultivating, and of his bringing forth because he only can give the increase, make these to be there in the first place and to grow from his people. And of course it reminds us of the difference that grace makes because the Lord's people, the church, are enclosed and separated from the world. As Watts puts it, Christ hath a garden walled around, a paradise of fruitful ground, chosen by love and fenced by grace from out the world's wide wilderness. And dear friends, Christians are not people who simply have something extra. We are completely different from other people, like the difference between a garden and a wilderness. under this metaphor and that is what has happened to us. The wilderness can't give pleasure to anyone but a garden gives pleasure to its owner and therefore we are what we are by the grace of God for him. Radically different, completely otherwise than what we were before and what the rest of the world still is. A garden, my garden. says the Lord Jesus. Now, you notice what the Lord will do here. Verse 16. Awake, O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. And it's a picture of the way the Lord deals with his people in different ways in order to make them more fruitful than ever, more fragrant than ever, and these delicious things to come forth from their souls, from their lives. And here you have two different winds to come and blow through the spice plants to release their fragrance, and they stand for what he sends to our lives, the dispensations of his providence. The North Wind. Now that's a cold and a bracing wind. The South Wind is warm and moist. Now the North Wind stands for trouble. The South Wind stands for prosperity. And you can have either or you can have both. And it reminds us that life is a mixture, isn't it? Always a mixture. Not always the one, not always the other. It can blow one way or the other in providential dealings. It's put similarly in Ecclesiastes 7, verse 14. The day of adversity, the day of prosperity. Now let's think about this. It's true to life. and full of encouragement. Sometimes comes the south wind of prosperity. It's warm, it's gentle, it feels good. And there are such seasons in our lives when the Lord gently blows upon us and we feel the blessing as we say. And God does delight to give us pleasures in life. In Jeremiah 32 verse 41, we read that the Lord rejoices over us to do us good with his whole heart and with his whole soul. There is a divine enthusiasm in the Lord giving us good things richly to enjoy. Let's not make any mistake about that. There's a scripture in 1 Peter which speaks of he that would love life and see good days. And there are those times, aren't there? Life is good. We see good days. And we shouldn't feel guilty if that happens, as if something must be wrong, because it's right in the eyes of the Lord that such times do come. And we wonder and marvel that we could be so gently and lovingly dealt with, as we say, and really things are wonderful. But that can exercise us toward him. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Daily he loads me with these benefits, all my blessings. Count them one by one. It'll surprise me what the Lord has done. the gentle south wind comes. But sometimes it's the north wind of adversity and that's chilling and that's cutting. And like Job, it blows so hard it seems to blow every good thing away and we're deprived and we're stripped and we lose and we're buffeted so much and our comforts and joys seem to disappear. It can be in health, it can be in finances, it can be in our job, it can be in family troubles and heartaches, it can be with friends who turn against us, it can be reputation that we've lost, it can be any number of things as we know. The north wind, of adversity. And when this comes again, we should not feel guilty or think that something is wrong because it proceeds from the same source as the south wind. It's just as much the love of God in Christ, the north wind, as the south wind, which is much more welcome. And if it would be right for us to have the south wind and good for us, the Lord would give it and it will blow delightfully. But if something else is necessary in his loving wisdom, the north wind comes. Now the question is this, which one of these two does us the most good? The south wind or the north wind? Ah, the south wind. Let's have that. Well, we might prefer that and sometimes it can do us much good because it reminds us that God is good. And it will bring us closer to him if we're able to acknowledge him in all these things and give him thanks from full hearts, grateful hearts. But the danger is it can soothe us too much. And it can lull us into a lukewarmness because you see, we can be taken up with the good things that he gives us. And in being taken up with them too much, we then begin to forget the Lord, the gifts more than the giver. That was the problem of Israel, wasn't it, when they settled in the land of Canaan. They were warned many times in the book of Deuteronomy, when you inherit the land and when you possess buildings, homes that you've not made, when you possess livestock and cattle that weren't yours, when you enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey that were the possession of others, they come to you, beware. that thou forget not the Lord thy God. But that's exactly what they did. And in Deuteronomy there's this picture of Yeshurun, a name for Israel, and it's like an animal that has been so well fed that it's got so fat And Geshurun waxed fat and kicked. In other words, he waxed fat and he rolled over on his back and he was kicking his legs in all the joy and all the happiness of being filled to the full. But he was fat and he was useless. And Israel forgot the Lord. And in forgetting the Lord, being taken up with all the good things of that land, They turned aside to idols, and we know all that history, don't we? And so, when the north wind comes, we believe that we need it to save us from worse. Because the north wind tends to do us more good if God sanctifies it to us. It's stiffer. It blows through the spice plants to release their fragrance, and the Lord who gives our trials and our troubles only does it to make us better and more blessed Christians, more evidently Christians, that the spices thereof may flow out. And when the stiff breeze goes through them, their fragrance then is known. I remember when I was a little boy My parents used to spend the summer in Woolacombe in North Devon, staying with my aunt and uncle who had a hotel in that village near the sea. And it was a very busy time in the summer season, taken up with all the guests and feeding them and all the rest of it. But behind this hotel there was a garden but it wasn't much of a garden, it was better than a desert, but it certainly was neglected. They were too busy to spend all the time in the garden, but I remember as a little boy going up to that garden at the back of the house, and the overwhelming sense I got was of garden mint. That was the only thing that was growing there, and it was growing in abundance, covered everywhere. And this mint, and every day, every time I smell mint to this day, it takes me back to the 1950s, would you believe, when I was a little boy in that garden, because there was that strong mint in the air. But what it must be to have all these spices coming forth in the strong chill breeze and the spices flow out. And the graces of a Christian, the Christian qualities that are brought forth under adversity is something unique. So the garden, Let's look secondly at the Spirit. Awake, O north wind, and blow thou south upon my garden, that the spices thereof may blow out or flow out. Now, wind in the Bible is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. You remember in John 3, verse 8, the Lord Jesus says, the wind bloweth where it listeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit. And in Acts 2, of course, when the Spirit came, it's a rushing, mighty wind. And it's telling us, you see, that it's only when the Holy Spirit blesses adversity to us that any good can come from us. If we are left to ourselves without that gracious Spirit enabling us to cope with it, learn from it, and be brought closer to the Lord through it, and good things being worked in us. If we are left to ourselves, the only thing that will come forth from us is complaint, moaning and groaning, resentment, and a hard spirit, and hard thoughts of God. But you see the Holy Spirit softens us and the Holy Spirit works these gracious things in us. And so to the outward providence must be joined his inward work. But the wonderful thing is the same wind that stands for adverse providence also stands for the Holy Spirit to bless that providence to us. The same wind that stands for adverse providence also stands for the Holy Spirit to bless that providence to us. And so he sanctifies these dealings to us. What does he do to help us react rightly so that good things will be found in us as a result? Well, one great thing he will do is this. He will give us the grace of meek submission. Think of those words in Colossians 1 verse 11, strengthened with all might to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Patience, to patiently continue trusting God when everything is against us. Longsuffering, not complaining, but waiting on the Lord with joyfulness, joy in it all, rejoicing in tribulation. That is remarkable. But you see, we're bettered in showing that if the Lord works it in us. And there is spiritual growth in that. There is learning lessons from him. There's a fragrance about Christian graces that when you see a Christian person with the severe adversity, and yet being strengthened, and not being blown over, and not being dismayed, and not at a loss, but strengthened with all might, patiently continuing with the Lord, long suffering, waiting on Him, trusting him, expecting from him, that I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance. He's the health of my countenance. He puts a smile on my face, even though there may be tears in my eyes. And then long-suffering with joyfulness. Remarkable. And I say, there's a fragrance about this. particularly what has been described as passive graces. There are active graces like faith and love and things like that, but there are passive graces like, for instance, humble submission to the Lord, like when Eli said, it is the Lord. Let him do what seemeth him good. Isn't that a fragrant thing? Or like the disciples concerning Paul, whom they expected would get into trouble when he went to Jerusalem, the will of the Lord be done. Passive graces, quietly in submission to him, knowing that he does all things well. the north wind of adversity, but the blessed wind of the spirit who helps us. Again, forgive a personal illustration, but in the early days of our Christian life, Margaret and me, we used to call upon a dear Christian couple. And we've never forgotten their example The gentleman concerned, this dear Christian brother, he was suffering from multiple sclerosis, but of a very severe kind that couldn't really be controlled very well by medication. And so it meant that he was in real pain all of the time, day and night. And he and his dear wife, And they lived in this home, and they couldn't attend the church they belonged to any longer. But whenever Margaret and I were there on holiday or whatever, we would call in and see them. And the wife would always open the door cheerfully and have us in. We'd sit down and talk with them. And this dear man, he was obviously in pain, but he would always speak sweetly. of the Lord and ask after us and be very interested in how things were with us. And it so impressed us as young Christians. And to this day, 40 years and more later, we can still remember this couple and their faces. We can remember that dear man. Both of them now gone to glory. in glory, free of pain. But what an example to young Christians. And I tell you, that was like a little garden of the graces of the Spirit and the north wind of adversity blowing upon them. But oh, the spices flowed out and the gracious, fragrant Christian things that have never left us And it reminds us of the importance of being an example to others, especially younger Christians, in how we bear our trials and infirmities and struggles and difficulties. If it produces a crabbed spirit, a hard spirit, complaining, it's gonna do nobody any good. It's gonna make people think, oh, where is the difference between being a Christian and being an ungodly person. But on the other hand, if you get a man or a woman, young person, gracious like this, receiving so much grace from God to bear such a thing, what a tremendous example. It'll stay with you. The spirit, awake, oh north wind, blow thou south upon my garden. that the spices thereof may flow out. And people will want to come to the garden too, just like we wanted to visit this dear man and his wife. There's an attractiveness if you've got any grace yourself and you see grace in evidence and prominence in others despite you'll be attracted, you'll want to be there as well, and learn from them and pray, oh God, make me like them, that I too might be a blessing and a glory to thy name. Thirdly and lastly, You've not only got the garden and the spirit, but you've got the presence. Now you see the church prays, let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits. The Lord Jesus coming to enjoy the graces he delights in. Why are we what we are? Why is he making us more Christian, gracious, like himself, that he might come to us and delight in us. 2 Corinthians 2 verse 15, we are a sweet savour unto Christ. It's for him. And that's a wonderful thing. And there's only one thing we desire, let my beloved come. His presence in the midst of the church, He sees of the travail of his soul and is satisfied, sees the work of his grace in each one of us. What's the highest blessing that we could ever have? There are many of them and many high blessings, but isn't the highest the presence of the Lord Jesus himself in the midst, palpably known and felt because his love visits are his delight. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Manifest thyself to us in the way thou dost not to the world. And may we know thee. And there is the blessing. Jesus in the midst. as we gather in his name. And look how willing he is. Turn over one page, if that's how it is in your Bible. Chapter 5, verse 1, he says, I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse. I have gathered my myrrh and so on. He comes so willingly. Ah, dear friends, this is the highest good. This is the greatest and the most wonderful thing. Let me close by saying this. I'm afraid it's a personal thing again, but you'll forgive me. I remember a minister speaking to us once, years ago. He had a pastorate in London before he had the longest pastorate of his ministry in another place. It was a small church and it was in the shadow of bigger churches in London, as you can imagine, and particularly one big church. What I'm saying is no reflection on those other churches in any way. But anyway, this dear minister friend, he said that there was a missionary couple who, when they retired, All was attended with them whenever they were in London. And he said to them, he said, why do you come to our little place when you could go to there, go there, or over there? So many more people and better ministry. And the man said, I'll tell you why we come here. Because the Lord Jesus is here. Reason enough. And dear friends, may we pray, let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits to meet him here as he meets with us. No greater thing. So his garden his spirit, blessing his dealings with us, and his presence when that is so. May it be for his name's sake. Amen.