Lent Day 8

“Genesis 8:22 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

At least to some extent, I think all or most of us are inclined to take the changing of the seasons somewhat for granted. Every year, temperatures rise, snow melts, rain falls, birds sing, as indications of the soon arrival of Spring. This continuity is promised by God for “as long as the earth endures.”

Even though we have this promise, the signs of it’s coming can take us by surprise. Several days ago I was working in my office. As I glanced to look out of the window, a rather fat looking robin landed on the then still snow covered bush outside my window. It didn’t stay long – not even long enough for me to grab my phone and take a picture. Still, it was encouraging to see it and to consider what it means.

Yesterday, a photo that was posted on Facebook caught my attention. It showed tender green shoots of an early spring flower – crocus, perhaps – in the midst of brown drab, dry, dead weeds. Another sign of the promise of Spring and the new life it brings.

A contemporary Christian song by Chris Renzema that I’ve heard a few times, says:

We will sing a new song

'Cause dead is dead and gone with the winter

We will sing a new song

Let "Hallelujah's" flow like a river

We're coming back to life

Reaching toward the light

Your love is like springtime

Father God, thank You for the signs You display all around, even if sometimes I am not willing to see them or I let other things get in the way. I believe and know and trust that Your promises never fail and these signs are precious reminders of that as well as reassuring me that in the same way that You fullfill these promises, You will fulfill all of Your promises. Through Christ I pray, Amen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth produces its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.