NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

SPRING FLOWERS ARE COMING (ISAIAH 35:1-2)

REFLECTION
“Spring flowers are coming” is the theme for our reflection. Spring flowers signify blossom, renewal, restoration, rebirth, new beginnings and hope. We shall reflect on the fact that our sorrowful and challenging conditions are not permanent, God can renew or restore our lives like the coming of spring flowers.

Beloved in the Lord, our sorrowful and challenging conditions are not permanent, God can renew or restore our lives like the coming of spring flowers. After Isaiah had predicted the impending judgment upon the nations in Isaiah 34, he gave hope to those who would remain faithful to the Lord in Isaiah 35. The faithful shall be the redeemed of the Lord who shall experience renewal, restoration and new beginnings. Although the redeemed of the Lord shall experience tribulations and great discomfort on account of the Lord they are assured of the joy and hope that come with the spring flowers. Indeed, for the redeemed of the Lord, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus(flowers), ² it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. (Isaiah 35:1-2).

Dear friend in the Lord, to remain faithful to God in challenging moments is the greatest test of our faith. What do you do as a believer when people are getting rich overnight by stealing state and company funds? What do you do as a believer when you are maligned and hated because you refuse to condone or participate in the corrupt practices going on at your workplace? As a single woman and a disciple of Christ what will do, especially at a time when young ladies are sleeping with men for money and enhancing their bodies to attract rich men, will you do the same or wait upon the Lord? At a the time when the economy is hard, will you also engage in illegal means of getting rich or will you wait upon the Lord to blossom like the flowers of spring? Many Christians in our time continue to face temptations and persecution for following Jesus and remaining faithful to Him. The assurance we receive from the Lord is that, like the flowers that blossom in the spring season, so shall the Lord restore us and give us a new beginning of joy, prosperity and hope. It is for this reason we are greatly assured that“those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Jesus further assures us the redeemed that,”…everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29) In other words, we must remain faithful to the end to become beneficiaries of the spring season of hope, renewal and restoration. We must always trust in the promises of the Lord and be guided by His Word to overcome trials, tribulations and temptations in our time.

Again, spring flowers of hope, renewal and restoration are coming to those who regardless of the hardship, sickness and poverty remain faithful to the Lord. Job, regardless of the hardship he went through, proclaimed “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. ²⁶ And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; ²⁷ I myself will see him with my own eyes —I, and not another. (Job 19:25-27) In our struggles, agony and discomfort, Jesus assures us that we are not alone, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Truly, because His grace is sufficient and He always makes us blossom like spring flowers, we can say with David “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³ he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalms 23). We in Sub-Saharan Africa mainly experience two seasons, spring season is likened to our rainy or wet season, may the Lord, our good and faithful Shepherd, bring upon us spring and rainy season of good health, long life, prosperity, and success in all our plans and endeavours according to His will. Above all, regardless of the season we find ourselves may the Holy Spirit enable us “to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Spring flowers are coming” We have discovered that our sorrowful and challenging conditions are not permanent, God can renew or restore our lives like the coming of spring flowers. Shalom.

PRAYER
God of restoration and renewal, in you we put our trust and before you we lay our burdens and frustrations. Strengthen us in times of tribulation and persecution and let this year bring us spring flowers of hope, joy, peace, healing, and success in all our endeavours through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.