by Darcia Kunkel

God’s Promise of Renewal.

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

 “Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises,
He will appear;
He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3 New International Version

Are you tired of cold icy winter weather? Are you longing for the renewal of spring? I am.

This cement snowman, clothed in Chicago Cubs attire, sits on my porch, nestled in a flower stand, throughout the winter. It yearns for warmer weather, and the baseball season to begin.

Sometimes it feels as if the dismal grey months will never pass. Other days, the sun peeks through the gloom to give me a glimpse of the warmth and growth to come.

There have been times in my life where I wondered when God was going to show me the sun. I would plead for Him to let my circumstances pass, and to once again shower His mercy and favor upon me. Those were dark days with no hope in sight.

It was in those moments that I heard the soft whisper of the Lord assuring me that the sun will rise after the darkness, and that spring always follows the harshness of winter.

How reassuring to know that the winters of our lives are not meant to last forever, but only for a season. The more we seek to know the Lord the more He will guide us, and reassure our soul.

Does that mean we will never have to face the frigid depths of the trying times in our lives? No, but it does mean that we won’t have to face them alone.

Lord, may I always remember that you promise to bring a spring thaw to the winter seasons of my life.

“For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Psalm 30:15 English Standard Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado