I wrote this essay a few months ago, being in love with my beloved has given me some insight to God's heart.
He is truly the great romantic.
ISAIAH 57:19
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal (her);
I will also lead (her),
And restore comforts to (her)
And to his mourners.
19 “I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace to her who is far off and to her who is near,”
Says the Lord,
“And I will heal (her).”
The knight raced to the limp figure on the forest road.
He finally found her.
He knelt beside her as he pulled his helmet off, and lifted her chin, and he stared into her eyes. The once lively eyes were dilating and her breath was shallow. The maiden was passing into the land of shadows.
The poison in her was stealing her life, little by little. She almost didn’t care at this point, but she found him once more faithful – why doesn’t he give up on me?!
In her heart she believed he’d journeyed many miles racing across fields and asking town after town where she was. At one point, in her own disdain, she let herself believed there was no longer any gladness within her hoping her heart would be darkness.
She wanted a quiet place to let her heart dance it’s last dance upon jagged glass and let the life bleed from her.
There wasn’t any room for sorrow, there was too sorrow for one heart to bear.
The forest was quiet. Sunlight stabbed beams of light through the enchanted forest. A warm glow basked around the knight. His eyes were of strength, kindness and comfort.
She smiled weakly as they both sat under the shaded trees. The color of her skin was spotted yellow – the poison was reaching to seize her heart.
The knight's gentle stroke brushing the hair from her face revealed the face of beauty, but as the gaze of the noble knight looked deeper...sadness overtook him.
He didn’t have much time.. the knight’s heart was heavy as he saw her hand limp.
Then the knight’s warm hand moved upon the maiden’s heart – he held her gently.
The wind rustled hues of various leaves as it stirred around them, and the animals in the forest...stopped. Tiny slices of light began to dart around the two and the knight began to sing. His voice sang words the girl could not understand. She felt an inner stirring of warmth tingle inside her body, her blood started to stir and it chased away the coldness within her.
The song seem to increase the brightness of the light that began to slice into this world’s dimension and the leaves swirled around with greater intensity. Between the embraced figures a soft light grew as embers of yellows, reds began to cast a glow around the two. The song grew in strength...the animals in the forest stopped to stare. It was familiar to the song of the Athelea Tree....life was being born anew once more.
Then the song faded only to be swallowed by the silence of the forest.
The knight collapsed gasping...and the girl sat there staring in disbelief. Sweat beads covered his face...her hands touched his face – it was hot like fire. A fever. She bit her lip and try to hold it back. She was healed...at His cost.
She collapsed sobbing upon his chest. She knew...what happened. The knight heaved his chest with difficulty, and his eyes glazed into darkness. The man smiled weakly to the maiden.
She held his head with tears streaking down her face sobbing, “Why did you do this? Why?”
The maiden’s tears salty tears fell upon the knight’s face. He blinked away the wetness and just smiled.
The knight’s eyes closed, it was like the morning rain after a battle. The song, that was not understood was now...heard:
Life’s passing moment upon the mourning field,
Hope fades from man, and downtrodden he casts,
Whence, light arises like a defender’s shield,
Heaven dips the ladle of ocean’s mercy,
Strength for your flesh and bones,
Life sings her song
Brightly, shining in every lasting glory
Forgotten in the washing of the grace’s rain....
Arise, arise like flowers blooming!
A twinkle in the knight’s eye comforted the woman as the knight’s body began to slowly shake, “So you might live.”
(I’ve come that they might have life, and life abundantly)
“No, no.” she sobbed, “..this was mine to bear. It was mine.”
“No, it wasn’t yours to bear alone...don’t you see? I’ve journeyed again to once more fight for you. This whole...time I was by your side. I never left, I’ve always loved you from eternity and I've never, ever will give up on you....
Morning
Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. (Song 4:7)
The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. (Isa. 1:5, 6) We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. (Isa. 64:6) I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing. (Rom. 7:18)
Ye are washed, … ye are sanctified, … ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11) The King’s daughter is all glorious within. (Psa. 45:13) Perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God. (Ezek. 16:14)
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. (Psa. 90:17)
These are they which … have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:14) A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but … holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:27) Ye are complete in him. (Col. 2:10)