THE DESERT PLACE
D. L. Stewart
Matthew 14: 12, 13; Psalm 23: 1–4
The death of John the baptist was a tragic matter. We could not say that as to our young brother, although he has been cut off suddenly in youth. But Jesus was there. Whatever our young brother passed through in his closing moments, Jesus was there; He came there, came where Ewan was, and the Lord Himself took him. What the experience relating to that was, who can tell? It will come out, however, in glory yet—it is one of the completing exercises; the other is, of course, to be caught up in the clouds; but there is something in the way of completion that must enter into passing through the article of death.
What I want to refer to is the desert place. The disciples came and brought word to Jesus. That is what we can do; that is what our bereaved ones would do; they would take up the body, and bury it, and bring word to Jesus. He is available whatever the need may be. After that there is the desert place; a death leaves that with us; but Jesus is there. He takes the lead in going into the desert place, but others are there too. I am thinking of the days ahead and the void, but in that there is something to be learned in the service and presence of Jesus, peculiarly so. Our young brother is in the presence of Jesus. I take the liberty of quoting a verse that was given to me, and I might say, as the brethren here know the present circumstances, that it was given to me by Mr. Norman Pye. The verse is a well-known one—
‘But with Him—O, with Jesus!
Are any words so blest?
With Jesus, joy unending,
And everlasting rest!’ (Hymn 220)
That is the portion of Ewan, perfect, unalloyed bliss in the presence of Jesus. But then it goes on to say—
‘With Jesus—hearts now empty
Filled with His perfect love;
His perfect peace each moment,
Till perfect bliss above.’
That is for those who are left; it is what the desert place is to become.
With Jesus, the desert place becomes the green pastures of Psalm 23; “Jehovah (the Lord) is my shepherd”. I would like my word, if I have anything to say today, to have a bearing on the young people. In the occasion today there is something peculiar in relation to the children.
They too may experience something of barrenness and sorrow entering into their lives, but what a resource there is in the shepherd care of the Lord. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters”. This period that we are speaking of, the desert place, the time when things are empty, is to become a fruitful place to every one of us. What is going to come out of these green pastures? Will it be growth? Think of the Lord taking things in hand in such a way as to provide conditions which are favourable for growth—green pastures and still waters.
Then, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil—for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me”. How much we have all felt the shadow of death in the experience of these months past and this is not to be lost on us but is to yield for God in growth with us spiritually.
Then there is the Lord’s rod, His authority, to be happily accepted, and as we accept it we have the support of the staff. May the Lord encourage us all.
Word at the burial of Ewan McKay (aged 9), Glasgow
29 April 1981