THE MESSAGE OF SPRING

PSALMS 104:3

A. "THOU RENEWEST THE FACE OF THE EARTH"
  1. The Bible has no idea of a force in nature operating apart from God:
    1. The conjunction of the seed and the soil of the sun's rays, and the rains and the dews of heaven is no doubt necessary
    2. But who has brought about the marvelous combination and adjustment between the succession of the seasons and the earth's condition and whence that vital force which works and moves in nature
    3. The Bible answers that we owe it all to God
  2. It is He who sends forth His spirit and renews the face of the earth - Ps. 104:30:
    1. In this world of decay and death where sorrows and apathy and dullness play so large a part, it is unspeakable comfort to know
    2. That there is above us and in our God an eager and unwearied life that renews hope in our hearts B. WHAT IS THE SPECIAL MESSAGE OF SPRINGTIME
  3. In the first place it speaks to us of the faithfulness of God, our Creator and Redeemer:
    1. Springtime reminds us that our faithful God keeps His trust
    2. We are so accustomed to the return of springtime that we take it for granted; overlooking the fact that it is a mark of God's faithfulness - Gen. 1:14; Ps. 104:19
  4. Springtime is a constant reminder to us:
    1. That God keeps His promises - Ps. 146:6
    2. Springtime trains us to trust Him in the darkness as well as in the day
    3. The amazing thing is that the trust is kept to the meanest and poorest of His creatures Spring touches the weed among the paving stones as well as the mighty monarch of the forest
    4. Said Jesus, "He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust" - Matt. 5:45
  5. Spring is a resurrection time:
    1. It is a marvelous revival of life; sleeping things awake; imprisoned things are emancipated; dead things live
    2. There is movement and a change that reminds one of the power of resurrection as spoken of in Ezekiel 37:1-13
  6. Then, again spring is a revelation of beauty:
    1. The face of the earth that was draped in mourning gray puts on a beautiful green
    2. We think of the flower family; their enchantment
    3. Said Jesus, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow...I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" - Matt. 6:28-29
  7. Finally, the spring comes to us with a message of hope: No other season in the year is so full of joyous hope as is spring. The whole world, so it seems is breaking into laughter C. A SPECIAL LESSON FOR GOD'S PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET OLD
  8. We know from our observations what happens in nature when autumn comes:
    1. The earth cools off
    2. The sap in the trees retreats from protection
    3. The leaves fall and the flowers die
  9. So it is with man:
    1. His shadows are lengthening
    2. His physical strength is failing
    3. His activities slow down
    4. And he longs for rest
  10. But spring has taught him:
    1. That the faithful Creator and Redeemer has promised a renewal
    2. That renewal will come to the redeemed in the first resurrection - I Cor. 15:54-57
    3. Said the Psalmist, "I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness" - Ps. 17:15
  11. What wonderful and inspiring messages spring has for mankind:
    1. It demonstrates the faithfulness of God to His creation
    2. It reveals the marvelous revival of life in nature and in the hearts of the children of men
    3. It reminds us that God loves the beautiful in His creation; He dresses nature in the best
    4. It renews a joyous hope in nature, in the creatures and in the hope of the coming resurrection


Design © John Bryant 2011