TEXT:

‘For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land’ (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)

THOUGHT:

Over seven years ago, while visiting the National Trust property Lanhydrock House, we admired a trough full of flowering plants which we later discovered to be the Shaving Brush or Haemanthus Albiflos. We purchased two in bloom and looked forward to a colourful display the following year.

Alas it was not to be and for six years all we had was greenery but no sign of any flowers. Then a couple of weeks ago we suddenly noticed flowers appearing. How we rejoiced! Today’s Teaching is about how this experience can help us spiritually.

• Separation

We had kept the plants separate but discovered they needed to be clumped together rather than on their own, keeping the new shoots all in the same pot. The Bible says, ‘Let us not neglect our church meetings’ (Hebrews 10:25 TLB). Take a hot coal from the fire and it soon cools on its own. People, trying to justify non-attendance in church say, “I can worship God anywhere”. True, but in order to produce something worthwhile, we need each other and to be together!

• Condition

The plants did not need much looking after, preferring semi-desert conditions to being well-watered. It is usually in the testing times we prove the reality of our faith and bring things to fruition. Prosperity is a blessing but can be our downfall if we take our eyes off God.

• Expectation

When no flowers appeared we thought we had been sold “dud” plants. It had not worked out the way we hoped. I had thought many times about throwing the plants out, but there was not anything wrong with them, just the way we had been handling them. God’s Word works! He does not make empty promises. The Thessalonian Christians discovered this.

‘When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe’ (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

There is nothing wrong with the Word of God, the problem is always with us!

• Position

The plants were moved into the conservatory but sheltered from the sun. Plenty of light but not scorched. Sometimes it is simply a case of moving to produce fruitfulness, although it does not always happen overnight. It happens like that in churches. Do not have your foot in several camps. Find the place God wants you to be in and serve Him faithfully there. You will then produce fruit that remains.

• Anticipation

What are the signs that things are about to change? Out text gives us some clues so we can know winter is past and spring and summer are on the way.

1. We start seeing – ‘the flowers appear on the earth’

For years all we had was greenery then suddenly we saw the flowers. Six times Elijah sent his servant to check the sky for rain and on the seventh he saw a cloud the size of a man’s hand.¹ That was enough to convince Elijah the rain he was praying for was on its way. Ask God to open your eyes to see what He wants you to see: blessing after years of adversity; health after years of illness; fruit after years of barrenness!

2. We start singing – ‘the time of singing has come’

We find songs of faith springing up from the wells of salvation. Jehoshaphat got the army singing before they went into battle and experienced victory.² Perhaps we have had “silent lips” like the Jews in Babylon. ‘How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?’ (Psalm 137:4). But the Bible had prophesied, ‘The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing’ (Isaiah 51:11). It’s time to raise a hallelujah! Faith always has a song otherwise it is only hope.

3. We start hearing – ‘the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land’

Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. Instead of listening to fear and failure anymore, we start listening to the One who is, ‘Able to do far more exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3:20). Suddenly the Bible lights up with revelation, inspiration and direction as we hear God speaking clearly to us. Elijah said before any sign of it, ‘There is the sound of abundance of rain’ (1 Kings 18:41). Stop and listen, for Jesus promised, ‘My sheep hear My voice’ (John 10:27).

All this has a purpose. Jeremiah cried out, ‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved’ (Jeremiah 8:20). God does not want anyone to be lost eternally. It’s for their benefit that we will start seeing, singing and hearing once again.

Job said, ‘All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes’ (Job 14:14). He thought that would be the release of death, but God had better plans. The Life Giver delivered him and he lived for years after that ordeal. His change did come and yours will too!

Endnotes:

¹ – 1 Kings 18:41-44

² – 2 Chronicles 20:21