FOREST WINDS

The September winds are kicking up,

and the poplars, all so grandy,

along the road are saying, “Turn!

Your way is not too dandy!”

Their silvery leaves are showing me,

as the sun falls in, and merry,

that the way I go is not that good,

and I’d best let someone carry—

Carry me to where the birches dance,

and the ferns, on a wind a-borning,

do swirl and twirl, as I listen well,

to their end-of-summer warning—

Warning of the way that I think’s right,

which is not, to be contrary,

for there are commandments to obey,

and they’re anything but airy!

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, 

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12

FOREST WINDS

The September winds are kicking up. A yellow hue is appearing on the trees and some leaves are already orange and red. The cooler, crisper days of Autumn have begun here in Veery Glade.

Have you noticed the movement of ferns and branches from the wind? Sometimes, a whole bunch of trees sway from the wind, and other times, one lone fern twirls in a windy swirl as if waving while other ferns next to it remain motionless. We can’t see the wind, but there is a pattern in it.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come; he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:13

The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, is a person with ears. Like the wind, He is our guidance. He breathes on us the truth from God. He can fill our sails to direct us into the current we need to be in. Faithful prayer, even that of a mustard-seed-size, is effective in communicating our needs to a loving Heavenly Father who has amazing power to help us through our very many troubles.

Know ye not, 

that to whom ye yield

yourselves servants to obey,

his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the

servants of sin, but ye have obeyed 

from the heart that form of doctrine which

was delivered you. Being then made free

from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:16-18

The September winds blow in understanding that the Word of God, the standard by which to live and the authority by which all creation is measured, contains warnings. What we obey is what we are a servant to.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1: 18-21

What truth I learned in the song from Sunday School (years ago!) about how the wise man built his house upon the rock, but the foolish man built his house upon the sand! When the winds came a-blowing in, the foolish guy got swept away. Jesus is our Rock! Like psalmists declare, we too hold fast to the Rock of our Salvation.

Truth is not relevant. The winds of time remind us of the steadfast authority of God’s Word. When people created in God’s image cease to glorify and thank God, they can twist truth into their own unrighteousness, become vain in their own imaginations, and end up fools with no excuse to ever be able to sway God’s decisions.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

All unrighteousness is forgiven! Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who bore all sin on the cross, is able to make this happen! No one else can forgive any sin.

‘If’ is a big word. We must own up to our sin, realizing personal efforts towards justification always fall short. Self-centered seemingly right ideas and traditions not relying on Christ lead to death. ‘I did it my way’ won’t hold up in the court of God.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

Those who have tried to take down the name of Jesus will answer for their deeds. Those who have added to the Word of God or taken away from it will be on trial. What is sown is what is reaped. We reap what we sow.

U-turns are still being accepted by Christ as of this writing. The prodigal son in Luke 15 made poor choices, displayed a reckless attitude, squandered inheritance, and walked wayward. The way seemed right at the time. But one day, maybe a windy day, the prodigal son came to his senses and returned to his loving, patient father.

Pray today, with the wind on your face.

Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,

nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, 

nor revilers, nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you: But ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Our faith in God’s provided perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, equals being washed, sanctified and justified. People make u-turns because of their faith. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life live forever. Pray to be there. Live to be there.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

Because of a grateful heart for Jesus, we strive to obey commands. Because of Jesus, we pray again, ‘Thy will be done.’ 

Because of Jesus, we can endeavor to be good.

And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:16-17

And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:8-9

 

There must be glorious forests in Heaven covered with ferns on the woodland floor waiting for us to walk among them with our Deliverer. May forest winds guide you to them by the way of goodness.