Apr 07 – Two Flowers!

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys” (Song of Solomon 2:1).

Some flowers bloom during the day, while others bloom during the night. The rose that grows on the plains of Sharon blossoms in the daytime. It blooms beautifully throughout the day and spreads its fragrance. At the same time, flowers such as the lily and jasmine, which bloom at night, spread their sweet fragrance in the darkness, turning the night into a pleasant and refreshing time.

Jesus said: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).

The daytime represents the time of grace—a time when the doors of the gospel remain open in the land. During this time of grace given to Him, Jesus went from village to village and town to town, proclaiming the gospel and doing good everywhere He went. Likewise, before our course in this world is finished, whether opportunities seem favourable or not, we too must faithfully preach the Word and labour for the Lord.

Just as there are two groups of flowers, ministry can also be seen in two parts. One is the public ministry of the gospel, which people can see outwardly. The other is the hidden ministry of prayer, like the lily that blooms quietly at night—interceding earnestly before the Father who sees in secret, pouring out the heart in prayer.

Among flowers that bloom in the daytime, the rose is the king. Among flowers that bloom at night, the lily is the queen. In the same way, just as flowers can be divided into those that bloom in the day and those that bloom in the night, the disciples of Jesus can also be seen as public disciples and secret disciples. Although Jesus had twelve disciples who followed Him openly, there were also secret disciples. Nicodemus (John 3:9) and Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38) were among those who believed in Him in secret.

Jesus also spoke of two kinds of sheep: those inside the fold and those outside the fold. He said: “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16).

Even in the life of an individual Christian, there are two aspects: the outward life that people see and the inward life that people do not see—the hidden life of thoughts and the secret life of the heart.

Children of God, while we appear outwardly like the rose, may our inner life also be like the pure lily, holy and pleasing to the Lord.

Verse for further meditation: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6).