Promises

This is the state of my forsythia today. It’s almost April, and with today’s temperatures in the 30’s and very low 40’s(F), it’s hard to imagine that spring really is here! But the calendar says it’s so, so we believe it to be true. We start looking for signs around us, knowing that we’ll find them in due time.

I planted three kinds of bulbs last fall, and by March had completely forgotten what I planted. It’s like Christmas in the spring, waiting to see what pops up! Here are a few crocuses about ready to open, with the next surprise (grape hyacinth maybe?) growing right behind them.

I knew there would be flowers growing, I just couldn’t remember what they would be! I expected warmer weather by now, but the cold doesn’t stop the flowers.

I know the warmer weather of spring really is coming . . .

New Seasons

Right now many of us are in a new, very strange season of being home-bound. We can’t leave to go to a friend’s house, to work, to the gym, to the mall, to the courthouse, or even to the hospital to visit a sick family member. We’re stuck at home.

What is this doing to our faith? When our expected routines of life get interrupted, does our faith waver? Just as the calendar tells us when a new season has arrived, the Bible tells us the promises of God are sure to happen. Are we as sure in our belief in His promises as we are in the calendar?

Maybe it’s time to start looking for signs that God is still on the throne. We may not see the complete realization of every one of his promises in the near future, but we can look back at the ones He has brought to fulfillment already and know that He is faithful, and He is good. We can see signs of his handiwork no matter what’s going on in this life.

Here are a few promises to hold on to:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus“ (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3).

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11).

“The LORD rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble” (Psalm 37:39).

Just as the flower buds promise the blooms to come, God works in our lives in big and small ways now to build our faith in the promises we’ve yet to see play out. They’re coming, my friend!

Think about your life over just the past week. What are a few ways you can see God’s hand leading, providing, and protecting you? Share in the comments below–I’d love to hear about them!