The Promise of Spring

In the northern hemisphere, Saturday marked the first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox.  

Though I live in that region, last Saturday didn't exactly look or feel like spring had arrived. The weekend before, we received over 2 feet of snow in our area! We gratefully received that wonderful gift from the Lord while tucked safe and warm inside our home, enjoying things like baked oatmeal and freshly made cinnamon rolls. I absolutely loved all the snow we received! (easy for me to say when I have a Dad and three brothers who do all the work of removing the snow around our home.) I stayed inside for days while waiting for some of our snow to melt before venturing outdoors again. 

This past Thursday, I finally went out again and was shocked at the enormous piles of snow in our neighborhood and around our town. My family has lived in the state of Colorado for 22 years, and we can't remember a snow storm quite like this one. Our streets have small walls of snow on either side of them making it somewhat difficult to see when needing to make a turn while driving. 

After being inside for days, I felt inspired to go on a long walk. Though many of our sidewalks have been plowed or shoveled, other areas have not. I found myself walking through mounds of snow, giggling like a young child having fun in the snow. I felt very refreshed after my long walk, but spring felt far away. I woke up to about another inch of snow on the ground this morning which was such a blessing, but again, it makes spring seem a long ways away. 

Despite how it looks and feels outside, it is a joy to know that spring has arrived! I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that says: 

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22 

The Bible refers to spring as "seedtime". God promised in His Word that, as long as the earth remains, there would be seasons: spring and fall, summer and winter. 

Spring is a guaranteed promise from the Lord, even if it may not always look or feel like it at times!   

An almond blossom

I've been told that, in the land of Israel, one of the first things to blossom just before spring arrives is the almond tree. This usually happens during the month of February. Though I've been to Israel three times, I've never been there during that time. Someday, I'd love to visit Israel that month just to see and smell the almond blossoms!   

Though vanilla is usually my favorite in scented products (such as candles and perfumes) and in some food items (like vanilla lattes), I also love almonds in food and in scented products. (such as soap)

When I think of almonds in the Bible, I frequently think of Aaron's budding rod which came from an almond tree. God also mentions the almond tree when talking to the prophet Jeremiah. 

In Jeremiah chapter 1, it says:

"Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:11-12 

In these verses, God compares His Word to an almond tree! Just as a blooming almond tree heralds the soon arrival of spring in the land of Israel, God watches over His Word like that to perform it, meaning that, at God's set time, He will hasten (be quick!) to fulfill His Word!   

What a beautiful illustration from the Lord! God's promises are absolute guarantees! They will happen! 

2 Corinthians 1:20 says: 

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us." 

Sometimes, while we wait for a promise from God, it can seem like a long time, such as Christ's return.

I can only imagine all of the hundreds, yea thousands, and surely millions of prayers that have been prayed by God's children over the past couple thousand years for Christ to return. Does God hear them? Indeed, He does, and at His appointed time, He will return! God promised us in His Word that He has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. (John 14:3) 

Perhaps you are waiting on God, like I am, for things promised in His Word? 

The psalmist said it well in Psalm 62:5: 

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." 

Let spring be an encouraging reminder that God always keeps His promises in His Word! In His time, He hastens to do so!