This hand-coloured engraving probably made in 19th century after the first excavations in the Assyrian capitals, depicts the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

"… Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him." – Daniel 2:1b

Hanging gardens remind me of the great Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar who was known for the magnificence of his architecture, the extravagance of his reign, and, especially, for his hanging gardens, one of the great wonders of the ancient world.

Daniel, his contemporary and God’s prophet, would have experienced these.

The king and his gardens were impressive and overpowering. Yet, both were humbled and brought down.

Each had their day, but no day lasts.

As we wander through the gardens of our minds, some dreams are grand and inspiring. Others are terrifying. The king, though surrounded by beauty and grandeur, had a terrifying dream. When he did, he sought out the man of God to help him interpret it.

Daniel came to him and spoke truth. That truth burned upon the heart of Nebuchadnezzar and brought him to his knees. The beautiful garden of terror and judgment became a garden of repentance and contrition.

So many gardens are depicted in scripture and in history.

Adam and Eve knew bliss, temptation, and shame in a garden.

Solomon planted lovely gardens.

Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, felt the weight of the world and the heaviness of the cost for redeeming the world.

We are drawn to the places of serenity. In those idyllic and bucolic places of budding life and blessed repose, we mull ideas and dream dreams. We can meet ourselves and our destinies. We can be stirred to fear or soothed to restful comfort. We can meet our most dreaded fears, or we can meet God.

Or we can do all of those. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we can confront what is worst and most fearful in our lives and destiny and find the resolution in a renewed encounter with God.

What is hanging in your garden?