Just doesn’t want to give up…
A couple weeks into November, Tony sent me this picture with that caption. It might be a little hard to see, but those are wild snapdragons, or at least that’s what we call them. The technical name for them is toadflax, but they’re also known as butter and eggs – yum.
Now these wild snapdragons are typical spring/summer bloomers, those in the picture were still blooming after the frosts, they just didn’t want to give up.
The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11
Under the conditions we sometimes face on a daily basis – dark clouds, wind storms, and cold temperatures, the elements of life, it would be easy to give up, wouldn’t it? We feel worn, broken, and pushed down. But, as you can see in Isaiah, we have been given a promise. Sometimes, under those harsh conditions, we find it hard to see the promises and we need to be reminded.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Isaiah 40:11
Though storm clouds gather, because of His promises, we can bloom as the butter and eggs do. No where does His Word say it will be easy. No where does His Word say we’re on your own, figure it out, try harder. In fact, His Word says the opposite. For apart from me you can do nothing!
Everywhere His Word says I Am with you. I Am with you! I Am will guide you! I Am will fill your spirit and restore your strength! I Am will carry you in His arms! I Am will hold you close to His heart! I Am will make your night turn to day!
Claiming all those promises and more from The Great I Am, will cause us to burst forth with beauty and hope, maybe with little tiny yellow buds barely poking through, yet making the bloom even more radiant under such harsh conditions.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Leaning, leaning,
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Do we see the similarities in our lives? When all the elements suggest the snapdragons should not grow — lack of sunlight, harsh winds, cold temperatures, bud deadening frost, their radiant yellow blooms burst forth in beauty and hope. The Great I Am can and will do that in our lives also, we must not give up!