“I just can’t wait until Spring”, is my usual remark in the dreary, dead of cold, dark January.
Yes, Winter weather brings a certain calm and beautiful, quiet peace as white snow blankets the sleeping earth. And Winter is especially fun if you ski or engage in other wintertime sports. But since I usually don’t engage in many Winter sports, I typically bide my ‘winter’ time and dream of Spring flowers and gardening as seed planting catalogs appear in the mailbox.
Oh, to experience the miracle of vibrant Spring as the earth, it’s sights, sounds and fragrances awaken. Singing birds return, building their nests, flowering trees burst open in colorful display, tulips and yellow daffodils appear from the dark ground, warmer air and soft rains prepare the earth and seeds for planting. Alive and fresh, Spring has arrived from the barren, dead Winter.
Psalm 27: 13-14 encourages us to wait confidently and expectantly for the Lord, just as we have waited for miracle of a new Spring after Winter. In due time, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. It may feel cold, dreary and dark out there in this barren and dead season of life. Your circumstances and problems might feel so desperate. But the Psalmist says have hope in a living and good God, “be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord”.
I have not always been successful at waiting for the Lord and His goodness and instead have fretted, worried and even gotten angry. “When is this problem going to go away, Lord?”, I remind Him. “I am so tired of waiting for the answer. I have prayed about this ‘thing’ for years and years. Decades! I am ready when You are, God.” “Please come Lord,” I desperately pray.
But then I return to Psalm 27 and the exhortation to wait, be strong and take heart. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. His promise to me! I need to stay strong and wait, confident, expectant that He will fulfill His word. In His perfect time He answers and makes it right and good. Take heart, the Psalmist says. God who created the heart, knows every living heartbeat and cares about my cares. I can give Him all of life’s challenges.
Just as Winter melts into a glorious Spring , we can remain sure that God in His time will bring His perfect plans into fruition. We may grow weary....that’s human nature! But wait, wait for God. Wait on Him. Ask Him. Talk it over with Him. Listen to His heart on the matter. Declare His goodness. Remain confident. Have faith. Wait for the answer. He is good and has goodness stored up for us. Wait, it will be worth it....just as it’s worth it to see the miracle of Spring after Winter.
Then we can confidently and surely say.....”I believe I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Wait for the Lord.
This Winter look for the first vestiges of Spring....those strong, bright crocuses popping up through icy snow. They are like the first glimpses of God’s goodness and faithfulness, a signaling there is a change in our circumstances and answers for our prayers. Soon the cold Winter winds will end and a beautiful new Spring will be here! |
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