Trees waved their branches frantically in the ferocious wind. Bending. Breaking. Swirling, as it were, as the wind constantly changed directions. My forsythia bushes had clawed at my window while in Helene’s clutches. Scraping. Grinding. This image is stamped on my mind.
Each time I look out of my window — the one placed by my morning sanctuary where I sip my coffee and ponder the love of Jesus — that window … I look and remember that terrifying day when Helene stormed through our precious mountains and the enemy stole peace from my heart.
The Lord Will Make All Things New
I don’t want to remember that day.
I don’t want to feel that fear and I don’t want to give victory to the evil one.
This morning I was reminded that, as we trust Him, the Lord will make all things new. He will take what the enemy meant for evil and use it for our good and His glory … if we include Him in our struggles.
Interestingly enough, as I considered the trees in the early morning light and looked for the goodness of God, the Lord led me to Psalm 96:12, “Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.”
Let.
Then.
I knew the Lord was speaking to me. You see, trees often remind me of the Lord: their stark, barren branches in winter stretching toward heaven, the fallen log left for dead and come spring a tiny green sprout finds its way toward the sun. Someone wise once said, “The trees of autumn teach us how lovely it is to let things go.”
But, perhaps Psalm 96:12 teaches us that when the field is joyful and full of thanksgiving, then the trees of the wood will rejoice before the Lord. When our hearts seek to find joy in devastating circumstances, our very being can rejoice in the God of our salvation. We find that our anchor holds. We find that the same God who was present during the storm is the same God who is drawing near to His children now in this desperate hour. He remains.
This morning, the forsythia bushes outside my window, though tossed violently in the winds of Helene, gently swayed in the cool breeze of an autumn morning. Their roots held. Come March, they will bloom with their bright yellow flowers and sing triumphantly to the One who keeps them, the Creator of all things.
Isaiah 55:12 tells us, “You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!” Verse 13 goes on to say, “Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
The Trees of the Field Will Once Again Rejoice in the Lord
Where once there was devastation, healing and restoration will be found. Where once there was heartache and bitterness of soul, grace will abound and newness of life will be born in the hearts of our mountain people. Our God is Faithful and True. His mercy reaches to the highest mountain and searches the valley low for His hurting child. To rescue. To restore. To heal.
His power and love is from everlasting to everlasting.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
