Dear Readers,
It’s a fine spring morning over here, reminding me of this amazing verse from Isaiah 61.
“For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” ~ Isaiah 61:11
In the northern hemisphere, this is SPRING! It’s the time of life bursting forth, casting off dormancy, plunging the outdoors in colour and hope. As I watch little seeds sprout and grow, I am aware of the amazing fact that the seasons have not stopped. Spring is upon us with vibrancy … so let our righteousness and praise spring forth before all the nations!
With it being Good Friday today, and with Resurrection Sunday coming just around the corner, these verses from the start of the chapter are beautifully encouraging.
I like to read the lines slowly, and let their impact sink in. What a marvellous Saviour Christ is!
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness:
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-2
Praying that you may you be blessed and en-courage-d in Him this weekend!
~ C.R. Hedgcock
Please feel free to share your favorite verses in the comments! Let’s fill our minds with the Word of truth and build one another up. 🙂 Some further verses: 1 Josh. 1:8-9
crhedgcock.com 
Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created. Esther 4:14
Thank you so much, Caitlin! Here are some verses and thoughts that have really encouraged me during this time.
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b NIV
and When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you; – emphasis added
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2 NIV
God is with us and will guide us through this fiery time (when there are waters and rivers of doubt and stress) and all the hard times to come.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27a. NIV
Should we then fear though our plans and schedules are shaken by this COVID-19 and though there is great threat of economic collapse and possibly much more loss of life? The God who causes the daffodils to peek through the soft, crumbling black dirt to smile at spring sunshine, who gives blessings to believers and unbelievers, who holds the entire galaxies together by the word of His power is a sovereign God of love Who is using this for the good of all believers. He is our refuge during this tumultuous time, our Rock on which our feet and hearts are steady and sure. He has promised to work everything for our good, and promises to provide everything we NEED when we need it; all the grace, all the strength, all the patience, all the trust etc. We can trust Him as our sovereign provider and friend!! Satan and evil and sickness are powerful, but we belong to Jesus who will keep those who are His and conquer all evil in the end.
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing ❤