“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”~Isaiah 55:8-13 (NIV)
Authors of Scripture use nature images to paint us brilliant examples of the message they deliver. Through the Holy Spirit our amazing God who created it all and cares for it all draws word pictures of assurance of how much He cares for us. All that He does and continues to do for us.
Observing a vivid early morning sunrise, I took special note of the tall trees, barely budded, waving with the breeze, clapping their hands with joy. Their leaves would pop a few days later. The azaleas in my yard are bright and vivid with color. Iris bloom. The jonquils passed their prime in my area of the world a while ago, but their long slender leaves twist and turn dancing on the same breezes that make the trees clap. Our hostas went from tiny sprouts to six-inch plants and then twelve-inch or more in a few days. The neighbor’s dogwood trees mesmerize as their lovely white blossoms appear to float in the air about them.
In the midst of global chaos and uncertainty, our God is sure! For those of us in the U.S., we’re told this will be the climax week to ten days for the outbreak. We’ve been told to expect much death over these days from COVID-19. Is it a coincidence that this falls during Passover/Easter season? God’s ways are not our ways as the Bible verses above say. He desires for everyone to know His Son, Jesus, and trust for every need – especially salvation. What a perfectly appropriate time for the eyes of our hearts to turn to Him to meet our many needs. To press into Him and trust Him with our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
Our church buildings will be empty for Easter. But we serve the Risen Savior! We shout for joy at His resurrection! And trust that His goodness and mercy endure forever!
What signs of God’s faithfulness have you seen in nature and in your life on your own journey sheltering-in-place.
Copyright 2020, Lynn U. Watson
Photos are my own.
Scripture quote from: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.