WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]

      Oftentimes when we consider or experience winter, there is a sense of loss attached to it, of hardship, of our being misfitted for the circumstance of it. Sometimes, if extreme enough, it can isolate us from others, disrupt relationships, and if severe enough, block the availability of needed resources.  The equivalent to winter, within the Bible, given its geographic focus, would be seasons of drought or famine.

        Winter is a season where flourishing slows, harvesting has passed, and paucity is common. It is not usually a time of plenty, and within it, many types of surviving things, conserve. The weaker things in winter often perish. Sunlight is lessened, and heat is reduced... At the least, winter discomforts us, and puts upon us extra labor, just to exist [or extra cost].   Figuratively, relationships that have entered their winter usually means that things have cooled, become cold, and perhaps are dying, struggling to live.  But there is a word to confront our winters, our seasons of loss: 'Rehoboth', meaning God has made room for us to prosper; God has made an open space. "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation" Isaiah 12:2, is a 'REHOBOTH' verse.

          The history of Isaac and Rebekah is included in Genesis 26; they and their people run into conflict with Abimelech, king of the Philistines, who ruled over Gerar. They went there due to famine, at the direction of the Lord, and while there,  concern grew over whether the locals might be hostile toward them-- especially the men responding to the beauty of Rebekah.  So Isaac, not being especially spiritual about it, resorted to trickery by allowing Rebekah to be known as his sister, rather than his wife, to protect his life. Once this was discovered, they were rebuked by Abimelech and sent into the valleys of Gerar, where they prospered.

PRAYER:   Dear Lord, help me to not compromise with my doing, for the precious gift You gave. Make clear my path, and forgive me as I stumble. Allow me to appreciate Your great grace, greatly, and thereby bless You through it. This I pray, in the name of Jesus. And let my conclusion be authentic in this: I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."  2 Timothy 4:7,8 This too I pray, in Jesus' name.  Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington