The Seasons of the LORD
"Bringeth forth his fruit in his season." Psalm 1:3
Before Eden's fall, there was only one season. Seasons came by sin. We’d love to have the constancy of pre fall Eden; always summer, never winter. But we can’t. Seasons are now a part of the curse. Interestingly here, David says there are four seasons in a spiritual year, by using the word ‘fruit.’
First, we have the Winter of desolation, where all is dark and cold. Life is not visible, and death seems everywhere. But then arrive the buds of Spring, which speak of hope and life, of birth and rebirth. This is followed by the warmth of Summer, which speaks of the heart’s maturation, growth, and ripening grace. Next is the in-gathering of Autumn, where ripened fruit is harvested and enjoyed. These seasons are repeated throughout the life of the child of God, for as many years as their granted.
Dear one, do not seek to change the order of God's spiritual seasons. Do not expect fruit out of time. You can't look for spring's buds in winter's deep. Desolation is the fruit of winter. You must not expect the fruit of summer from the buds of spring. The fruit of spring is not harvest, but hope. You must not expect the in-gathering of autumn's harvest from summer’s warmth; the fruit of summer is growth, not harvest. No soul in Christ experiences perpetual Winter (though it seems long), perpetual Spiring (the flower of grace), perpetual Summer (the ripening of that grace), or Harvest (the in-gathering of grace). Each happens in its season; in His time, till perfection comes in glory.
Our hearts need to be reminded of the order of God's acceptable year, His cycles, and His seasons on our fallen world. Lord, help me recognize each season’s fruition as good and perfect gifts from Thee.
When I feel the sense of night, let me accept it as the token that,
like Nicodemus, I am coming to Thee by night.
When I feel a sense of hope,
let me accept it as the sign that, like Nathaniel,
I am called by Thee.
When I feel a sense of warmth, let me accept it as evidence that,
like John, I rest on Thy bossom.
When I feel the power and am inspired to gather in the fruits, let me accept it as the pledge that I am bidden,
like Paul, to work for Thee.
So shall our spiritual year be rounded, hallowed, and perfected. Then the drifts of my Winter will be sanctified, wherein the buds of its Spring shall be fostered, the foliage of its Summer blessed, and the first fruits of Autumn hailed with joy. When this is understood and experienced, the seasons of the LORD have come.