It was from this lovely medicinal plant that he produced the famous balsam of peace, a great balm for all restlessness and pain and fever. It was extracted from the root of the shrub in the form of fragrant oil. All the inhabitants of the High Places carried a supply of this balsam with them wherever they went, but especially on their visits to the valley below, anointing themselves with it daily. Grace and Glory was therefore delighted to see the actual shrubs from which it was produced, growing up there in such abundance that the whole of the mountainside was clothed with a forest of these lovely shrubs of spikenard.

She discovered, too, that a great number of streams and brooks ran down the mountainside, into which the roots of all the bushes penetrated and from which they drew in the healing property of peace and stored it up. The Mountain of Spikenard was indeed a veritable “fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon” (Cant. 4:15).

The roots of bushes thrust themselves down eagerly and thirstily into the waters along whose banks they grew, accepting and drinking up everything the streams could bring them. Nothing was rejected, but all accepted with joy, and, after being drawn within, was there transformed into beauty and fragrance and healing balm.

As they walked together among these bushes the King spoke to Grace and Glory and explained to her the nature of the true peace which can only be produced by acceptance with joy of all that the will of God permits to come to his people along the pathway of life, and of the streams of pleasure which sing as they leap down from the High Places, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” So the streams water the soil and make them able to nourish the little trees of peace. And he taught her yet another mountain song.

In acceptance lieth peace,

O my heart be still;

Let thy restless worries cease

And accept his will.

Though this test be not thy choice,

It is his—therefore rejoice.

In his plan there cannot be

Aught to make thee sad:

If this is his choice for thee,

Take it and be glad.

Make from it some lovely thing

To the glory of thy King.

Cease from sighs and murmuring,

Sing his loving grace,

This thing means thy furthering

To a wealthy place.

From thy fears he’ll give release,

In acceptance lieth peace.