Psalm 104:14-15, 30
1 Peter 5:10
Spring is in the air! I love the sense of hope & renewal we feel after coming out of a long, hard winter. During the winter months, the grass and trees would lead you to believe they will never be green again. In the dark, dreary days of winter, it feels like there will never be enough sunlight again. But like clockwork, as March approaches, a shift begins to happen. The temperatures begin to rise, the days get longer and flowers & trees begin to bloom again. It reminds me that just as God is faithful to bring about renewal in the natural realm, He also gives me renewal when I need it.
Psalm 104:14-15 describe God’s greatness and the wise orchestration of creation.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.
God’s heart towards His creation is to provide things for our good. He has put things in place to meet our every need. Psalm 104:30 says, “When you send Your Spirit You renew the face of the earth.” The same is true for you. You may be in a season of winter where your soul feels dark and tired. There can be a variety of causes, but these seasons are characterized by feeling unmotivated, exhausted and hopeless. You desire a change in yourself and your circumstances, but none seems forthcoming. Unlike natural seasons, we don’t know how long these dark seasons of the soul will last and that makes it especially hard. They can last for weeks, months and even years. While we can’t predict the timing, we can rely on a God who walks with us through the darkness and is committed to our renewal. As you go through your hard season, God is building a treasure in you that will stay with you when your season changes. Your treasure is that you can have God’s love, comfort and peace now and you will have greater strength, wisdom and confidence because of what He’s seen you through.
Be encouraged as you look at grass turning green, trees blossoming and flowers blooming—God can also renew you. God will not only change your circumstances, but most importantly, He will change you. As 1 Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you recognize when your soul is in need of renewal?
- To whom or what do you turn to in those times?
- How can you regain hope when your soul feels tired?
