I Beg Your Pardon
I don’t remember how many years ago it was when I first heard the song Rose Garden, sung by Lynn Anderson. It has a really catchy tune and in part the chorus lyrics said:
“I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine, there’s gotta be a little rain sometime.”
I think the reason this song comes to my mind on occasion is simply because the words to this chorus are so true. Life is like that – some days are sunny and full of good things, but others are cloudy, gloomy, and full of trouble. Life isn’t a rose garden!
Often, we may leave the impression with a new Christian that since he/she has been obedient to God, everything in their life will go smoothly and trouble will be a thing of the past. How wrong that concept is! Satan is never happy when we obey God, so he comes at us like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) or in subtle ways like a snake (Gen. 3:1).
I have brothers and sisters in Christ who are dealing with very difficult things in their lives right now. Serious illness, physical loss of a child, children who are no longer faithful to the Lord, and marital problems are just a few. My heart aches for them as they endure the dark side of this world. I marvel at the faith in God that they are displaying to a world that is lost and dying in sin.
And then my mind goes to several scriptures which help me deal with these heart-wrenching stories:
- Hebrews 13:5: “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
- James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
- Psalm 9:9-10: “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your Name put their trust in You.”
- Isaiah 26:3-4: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
- Psalm 112:1,7: “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments!” […] “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”
No, God never promised us a rose garden in this life, but He has promised to be with us and has provided brothers and sisters in Christ who will be with us as we endure suffering.
The poet Annie Johnson Flint wrote a beautiful piece that helps me conclude these thoughts.
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way;
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
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AUTHOR: Donna Faughn
