For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth,
so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise
to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].
Isaiah 61:11
Typically, I start getting seed and gardening catalogs every February. It always seems strange to think about gardening when it is -18 Fahrenheit with five feet of snow lining the end of our driveway. And yet, just a picture of wildflowers or ripe fruit makes me ache for spring.
My aching is for more than just the grass and flowers of this earth, however. It is an ache in the Spirit–an ache for the things of God to spring forth.
I long for revelation of Jesus Christ to burst forth on the earth in even greater measure. “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
I long for the truth of God’s character–his love, goodness, wisdom, power, and faithfulness–to be spread to every corner. “Truth shall spring forth from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase” (Psalm 85:11-12).
I await the moment when every living being will worship the Song of God: “For the Scriptures say, As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to God” (Romans 14:11).
I expect and anticipate the time when the body of Christ will fulfill its purpose: “God’s purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:12).
Oh, sure, things look pretty cold and barren out there, but my faith is bursting with hope in what is unseen. Our God has promised that his word would not go forth (Isaiah 42:9). The ground is saturated with seed, and though we know not how they grow, the harvest is unquestionably assured.
Prepare. Get the tools ready now. Clean out the barn. “You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it. I, the Lord, have created it” (Isaiah 45:8).
Inspired? Read more articles God’s Timing Is Spot On
Learn more about the author Amy Layne Litzelman
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