December 8

Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. He launches his promises earthward— how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts hail like birdseed— who can survive his winter? Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter—suddenly it’s spring”!
Psalm 147:12-18 (MSG

Seasons change, that is a constant, and oftentimes rapidly, too. You can be in the midst of a glorious spring, with buds of life bursting forth all around, hope and promise at the ready, then suddenly, it seems, that season has passed, summer with its full display of glory, arrives; and before you know it, the cold wind of winter is settling in.

Dear one, each season in nature brings with it changes to embrace, blessings to receive, and hope for new life. Each season of your own life is designed to reveal His heart and love and to bring new life to you. The promises of spring and new beginnings; the warmth of summer when everything prospers and grows; the harvest of fall and all the bounty; with an eye towards winter, with its invitation for rest and renewal.

No matter where you stand right now—in the hopes of spring with promises not yet seen; in the fruitful fields of summer; the ampleness of fall; or the quiet rest as your heart prepares for all that is to come—He is Lord over all. His heaven-born promises have been dispatched—swift and sure, they are on their way, arriving in daily bread provision and desires waiting to be fulfilled in the seasons yet to be, above what you could ask for or imagine. 

Trust Him, dearly loved one, the God over all the earth. Your Father, and Friend is faithful and true—and 100% committed to you, to all you will have, and all you will do.

Prayer: 

Thank You, Gracious God, that You set the times and the seasons throughout the earth, and You set the times and seasons in my life in just the same way. Where I have been out of step with You, Jesus, I ask Your forgiveness. Where I have rushed ahead into one season, before another one was finished, or lagged behind, unsure of how to move ahead in a season that had already passed, I ask Your forgiveness, and pray for the grace to come back into step with the rhythms You have set.

You are the Lord of Creation, the Giver of Life, and You are Lord of my life, too! My times are in Your hands, Lord, lead me and guide me into Your best, in Your perfect timing and ways.

I trust You with all of my heart. Help me to follow You closely, all of my days.

In Your precious and Holy Name, I pray.