Recognizing The Seasons

RECOGNIZING THE SEASONS

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

This morning I look out the window and consider the Lord’s handiwork.  I consider the changes that take place as evidence of the current season.

Where we live, summertime is adorned with vibrant blooms, while the grass withers and turns brown.  In the winter, the trees are bare and appear dead, but the hills are covered in a rolling carpet of vibrant green.  In every season of life there are things that burst to life while other things fade away.

Lately, I have been pondering stories in the Word about life, death and resurrection.  This morning the story about Lazarus comes to mind.

“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.  When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” - John 11:38-44

In His wisdom, the Lord allows some things to die, while others He chooses to resurrect. There is an appointed time for each thing to be born and to die (Ecc 3:1-8).  His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts like our thoughts (Is 55:8-9).

Maybe there are times when things are allowed to die in our lives before their time, before their season, because, like Lazarus, He intends to resurrect them for His glory.

Maybe we discount His ability to perform the miraculous, so when things die out of season we just walk away and grieve the loss, instead of contending for what could be.  Maybe there are things in our lives that have died out of season and He is waiting for us to call upon Him to resurrect them.

Father, we come before You. Your Word says in James 4:2b – “You have not, because you ask not.”  Give us divine understanding about the season of each thing.

We ask for grace to accept the things that died in their proper season.  We also ask, in Your sovereignty, to show us the things that may have died out of season, that You desire to give new life for Your glory.

If You can raise the dead, You can heal a broken body, a broken heart or broken relationship, fill empty pockets, multiply loaves and fishes and bring sight to the blind.  You can remove disease, banish pain and return what was lost.

Align our thoughts and faith with Your will.  Do not allow us to ascribe words to You that You have not spoken, but equally, do not let us settle for death, when You offer resurrection.

Thank You that You do what You say You will do (Romans 9:5a).  Lord, it’s a new day.  Resurrect our faith.  And then resurrect what died out of season!  In Jesus’ Name. ❤️

Beloved, God will not resurrect what He has allowed to die in its proper season. But there are times, that He will allow things to happen so He can show us His power and glory. Why not ask Him to show you if He has a miracle in mind? 💡

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