Written by Desiree Bustamante.

He sends autumn rains to survive winter’s drought.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.”
Joel 2:23 New Living Translation

Autumn has arrived! The early days of fall are a beautiful time of year when the grass is still green, the leaves are brilliant gold, the air is crisp, and yet the days are still pleasantly warm.

However, the beauty of autumn soon fades to brown. The skies darken earlier each evening, the leaves descend more rapidly to the ground, and flowers dry up and blow away in the frostier winds. You sense the impending approach of a long and hard winter, and already you long for spring.

The changing season of fall into winter mirrors life’s difficult times. Our parched souls cry out for winter to pass us by and spring to magically appear.  Yet God demonstrates His faithfulness to us and sends the autumn rains of His presence and His Word. They fill our roots with His life giving water to withstand any hard, dry, winter. He promises to never fail or forsake us. He gives us hope for the arrival of a glorious spring.

Rejoice in the Lord your God! He is faithful in all the seasons of life!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO