“His anger lasts for a moment , his favour lasts a lifetime Weeping may go on all night , but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 29:5)
The radiant warmth of the Spring sun and peaceful chirping of the gleeful larks can only show God’s transforming glory from the death of winter to the new birth of Spring.
The finger of God etched in all of creation leaves the natural mind with a limiting sense of understanding yet profoundly nestled is all of his masterpieces , is the concept of dryness , restoration and redemption.
Even the seasons depict God’s perfect plan for our lives. Winter kills and unless there is a nourished and sustained root , there will be nothing to bud in Spring. The transforming hand of God wants to cover every one of us to bring forth fruit in our season. If we allow the winters of our life to get the better of us , then we will not have anything to hand back to God in our season.
When Ezekiel went to the valley of dry bones, he spoke life into a dead situation but he needed the dry bones to resurrect it. Give something to God to work with. Even if it is dry bones, even if it is tears, even if it is shattered dreams, give him all to breathe in new life, to wipe away and to mend.
Ever wondered why God chose to compare a son to be blessed when he is “like a tree planted by the waters edge” I think in all of God’s glory, he is conveying a simple message of trees don’t ask Why. God ordained for them to grow tall, the do just that. They never resist and and they never try to work out the logic or even find the reason, they just obey. They never question winter or autumn but do their budding in Spring. They stand tall amidst inclement weather and spread their branches towards the radiance of the sun.
We, too need to be rooted in Christ , spreading ourselves towards the son’s glory in times of difficulty and pain. The Lord’s favour lasts a lifetime and that is more than long enough to be covered under his blanket of promises. God promises us a covenant of peace through the seed of David, his son Jesus. There will be showers of blessing to come just when we need it. We will be safe in the most dangerous places and rested in the most turbulent storm. Our orchids and fields will yield immense crops and the righteous will never be forsaken.
I believe that trials can bring about two reactions, a hardened heart or a humbled heart. God can not work with a hard heart as the ground is too stony to till. However, God can raise from a humble heart, an oak of righteousness.
So even as the seasons obey the master Creator, let us this day turn over a new leaf and live a yielded seasoned life all year round.
Hazel Moodley