Teachings – Spring follows Winter

SPRING FOLLOWS WINTER

UNFOLDING TWENTY-NINE

WHERE WE ARE

In the preceding discourse, we learned of spring in the garden. Today, we hear what Pastor has to say about spring following winter. It is, indeed, God that sends ‘Spring, the Awakener’ to fill earth’s bosom with flowers, but what of the winter? One would think that if God sends the spring, when He so chooses to send it, then winter is a time of preparation. In the previous discourse, I ended the discussion asking about the winter of our deadness, not how God intended for the winter to be used.   

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 55: 10-11

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Romans 1: 20

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

SPRING FOLLOWS WINTER
UNFOLDING TWENTY-NINE

“If at any time our mind should grow desponding concerning the progress of the Gospel, and I confess mine is very heavy at times, it ought to encourage us to remember that the Gospel will conquer, not because it looks as if it would, but because God has declare and decreed that it shall do so.”

 “God wants no helpers to create spring: He sends it in His own time, and lo, it cometh.”

Spring follows winter because God decrees it; not because man is able –

“None can stay the marches of the year, or turn the seasons from their course.”

“He that told us that ‘cursed is he that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm,’ 

Indeed, 

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, said the Lord of Hosts.”

 “Be it never forgotten that the disheartening circumstances of the winter may have been all of them promotive of the success of the spring.”

Oh, how I wish God would take this last quote and apply it to my heart!

“We have God’s promise to sustain us in all our efforts to spread abroad His kingdom, He has Himself declared that, ‘As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but withereth the earth… it shall not return unto me void,”

Those who grow weary through the long night – remember

• Who is the Husbandman of this field – Jesus, our Lord and Savior,
• the Spirit of God Himself dwells in the midst of his church, and
• God’s honor is engaged in this matter against Satan and his host. 

Be of good cheer – spring follows winter.

THOUGHT GOING FORWARD

In God’s heavenly kingdom, the Evangel Winter is a most productive time… to seek His warmth… the warmth of friends. To prepare for the Evangel Spring… to mend, befriend, and to read God’s almanac. Evangel Winter is a time of rest, to recreate the creation. Let the wind howl outside… let the wind blow, but let the Spirit quietly stir within the hearts, minds, and souls of men.  

IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RYHMES

Winter lingers… 
a spring-like day appears
here and there… providing hope
– still, let winter return,
to finish preparations.