How grateful the soft rain must feel to the mown grass, all cut as it is, and, as we imagine it, so sore! But the rain is healing: and so God says He will come to His people “Like rain falling on a mown field.”

There is so much in life that is like the cutting-machine, and the heart becomes sore and needs the healing influences that come from God. No matter what we may call that which is healing to us it is God coming “like rain . . . on a mown field.” And may it be with us as with the beautiful lawns we admire: the more cutting and the more rain, the more beautiful we shall be; but it must not be one, but both. SELECTED

The absence of joy does not mean the absence of God.

The pruned vine does not suggest an absent vine-dresser, and even if the vine be bleeding it does not mean that he has gone away.

The mower’s scythe had passed o’er summer fields,

The grass lay bleeding ’neath the summer sun;

Strong hands swift stored the harvest’s wealthy yields,

And left the fields deserted, one by one.

Their glory gone, their beauty swept away,

Still smarting from the swift, keen cut of death,

Their woe the sharp, short work of one brief day

That dawned with sunshine in its balmy breath.

Methought they pleaded to the gentle sky

That smiled above them, bending o’er their grief,

A voiceless pleading in a tearless cry,

A soundless sob soft sighing for relief.

And heaven heard the fervor of their call,

And sent them healing balm at eventide,

Sweet raindrops breathing blessing in their fall,

And weeping gently o’er their wounded pride.

Thus shall He come as rain on new-mown grass,

And withered hopes spring up to grace His path,

New life be born where’er His footsteps pass,

And tender grass spring forth—“God’s Aftermath.”

FRANCES BROOK

Amos tells of “the king’s mowings” (Amos 7:1 KJV). Our King also has many scythes and is constantly using them to mow His lawns. The bell-like sound of the whetstone against the scythe foretells of the cutting down of countless blades of grass, daisies, and other flowers. And as beautiful as they were in the morning, within a few hours they will lie in long, faded rows.

In human life, we try to take a brave stand before the scythe of pain, the shears of disappointment, or the sickle of death. And just as there is no way to cultivate a lawn like velvet without repeated mowings, there is no way to develop a life of balance, tenderness, and sympathy for others without enduring the work of God’s scythes.

Think how often the Word of God compares people to grass, and God’s glory to its flower. But when the grass is cut, when all the tender blades are bleeding, and when desolation seems to reign where flowers once were blooming, the perfect time has come for God’s rain to fall as delicate showers so soft and warm.

Dear soul, God has been mowing you! Time and again the King has come to you with His sharp scythe. But do not dread His scythe—for it is sure to be followed by His shower. F. B. MEYER

When across the heart deep waves of sorrow Break, as on a dry and barren shore; When hope glistens with no bright tomorrow, And the storm seems sweeping evermore; When the cup of every earthly gladness Bears no taste of the life-giving stream; And high hopes, as though to mock our sadness, Fade and die as in some restless dream, Who will hush the weary spirit’s chiding? Who the aching void within will fill? Who will whisper of a peace abiding, And each surging wave will calmly still? Only He whose wounded heart was broken With the bitter cross and thorny crown; Whose dear love glad words of joy had spoken, Who His life for us laid meekly down. Blessed Healer, all our burdens lighten; Give us peace. Your own sweet peace, we pray! Keep us near You till the morn does brighten, And all the mists and shadows flee away!

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.—Glory to God . . . on earth peace, good will toward men.

Through the tender mercy of our God; . . . the dayspring from on high hath visited us.

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace;—peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all).

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.—Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you.—The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.