The last month, the tree in my backyard looked desolate. It had lost every leaf. It looked dead, but I knew it had life, underground. As I drew my drapes this A.M. I was surprised to see new growth, fresh new leaves on every branch.

Maybe we’ve come through such a season ourselves. Busy days, repeated pressures, depleted energy, we feel dead, like the looks of the tree.

Perhaps we could use a new challenge or some fresh encouragement for the year ahead. We can get that from a couple men of God who lived long years ago, namely, Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus in some detail hundreds of years before his birth. (9:6). When a call came for service, with a willing heart he said, ”Here am I send me.” (6:8).
If you are fearful of what the year ahead may bring, Isaiah has words for us. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” (40:31) and in 41:10, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” If you are still a bit uneasy, Jeremiah also has words for us in 33:3. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.”

Could anyone say that we need more? If so, many years later, Paul encourages us with his words in Romans 8:38,39, “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, powers, things present, nor things to come, nor height, depth, or any other creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Like the tree, which draws strength from its roots, we have a Source that supplies our every need, whatever it may be. We need to know, understand and claim the abundant provision of God’s love and mercy.

LOOK FORWARD WITH JOY!

from the kneehole desk of
elsie young