Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(NIV)
Here in southern Ontario, Canada, we have had a very severe winter. It started
somewhat late, but when it came, it came with a vengeance. We had temperatures
of -25 to -30 degrees Celsius many nights in a row. February was the coldest
month on record in this area since 1934. We had lots of snow, too. All over our
yard, there was a cover of at least three feet (one metre). Our flowerbeds were
hidden, well protected from the extreme cold. By the end of March, most of the
snow was gone and the bulbs were starting to show just a little bit.
When the residents at the Long Term Care Centre were wondering how long the cold
weather would last and I was leading a worship service there, they would almost
always ask me if we could sing "Hymn of Promise". They like it for the words as
well as the message.
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
- Natalie Sleeth (1930-1992)
This hymn speaks to so much of life. So many residents feel at loose ends at
times. Some are struggling in a physical way, others mentally. Some are
frustrated with the situation that they find themselves in, and they have
different ways of coping. There are some who come to every activity going on
every day, while others stay in their rooms and do not take part in anything.
They feel that there is no hope in their situation. Those who come to the
worship services and the Bible discussions talk to me (and to the staff, as well
as to the volunteers who take them to the various activities) about what a joy
it is for them to be able to come and listen to God's Word and sing praises to
His name.
Over the years, as long as I have been going there for the Bible-related
activities, I have received such encouragement from a great number of people.
One lady told me that if it weren't for the fact that she talks to God every
day, she would not be able to cope. Someone else told me that she asked Jesus to
walk with her every day. It gave her strength to carry on. Some are less poetic.
One fellow tells me every time when I am there, "I love coming to the Bible
discussions." I have also been told by various people that they were down in the
dumps in the morning, but after the worship service or Bible discussion, they
felt better. To be honest, I myself have had that same experience at times.
Through their words, actions, and presence, they reaffirm the words of some of
the Bible passages that we have looked at in the past:
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand. (NKJV)
Psalm 39:7 – And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. (NKJV)
Psalm 71:14 – But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and
more. (NKJV)
There are times when we despair, when we feel that there is no hope of things
improving. And then, when we gather for worship or Bible study, when we read our
daily devotional or read the Bible, then we see that God is with us, and there
is peace in our hearts. We see that our hope is in the Lord.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we admit that there are times when we are
discouraged, and we ask that when we are, You will speak to our hearts. We ask
it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Joel Jongkind Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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