“For behold, the winter is past….the flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.” Song of Solomon 2:11,12
How does God reveal Himself to mankind? An old confession of the church answers the question this way: “First, by the creation, preservation and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters (letters) leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God, namely, his power and divinity” (Belgic Confession Article 2). Though perhaps not as eloquently, a contemporary country song entitled “I Saw God Today,” answers the question this way: “Saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk, pushing up through the concrete – like it was planted right there for me to see. His fingerprints are everywhere; I just look down and stop and stare, open my eyes and then I swear – I saw God Today.”
Spring is a yearly reminder of new life! Some years Spring may seem to come early, and other years Spring may arrive late – but never has Winter been able to perpetually hold Spring at bay. It may seem like Winter never ends, when we are in the midst of the snow and the cold, but every year, the warmth of the sun melts the last of the snow, and the earth sprouts with new life again! And while none of us are overly fond of dandelions, yet even the first dandelion of Spring is a welcome sight – because it heralds forth the news that a new season of life is upon us!
Is this changing of the seasons due to the laws of nature? No – every new flower in Spring carries God’s fingerprints! Our God has promised that season will follow season until the end of the world (Gen.8:22), and when Spring bursts forth, it reminds us of the faithfulness and goodness of our God! Ultimately every new Spring is pointing us forward to the glorious reality of God making all things new (Rev.21:5)! Covid-19 will end, lock-down will end, even death will end – and sin will be no more – because Jesus Christ has won the victory!
Take the opportunity to take a walk or a drive through the country today, see new life all around, and be reminded of the goodness of your God! And as you do, note that Solomon says, “the time of singing has come!” What great, great reasons we have to sing! Winter has ended! Spring has come! And there is life – abundant life in the Lord Jesus Christ!