THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

The daffodil stands by the edge of the wood,

‘neath a slumbering red maple tree,

and he picks up his trumpet of finest pure gold

to announce the beginning of spring.

He’s early to wake from the long, bitter cold

and his yellow suit coat is a joy

which can heal the long worn out expressions of old,

and soothe the dark ages of yore.

He stands on a knoll that will carry the tune,

where the sun shines a-warm on the dew.

And he plays out a “Toot, Ala Toot-ti-ly Toot!

Wake up, trees and critters, all living things, you!”

His song wakens others and soon there are many

to proclaim the renewal of life.

Their horns call brightly! The woods, they are waking—

away with worries and strife!

The daffodil smiles in the light of our Lord

and declares our dependence on Him,

and reminds us of joy that only Christ gives

and life coming only from Him.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Psalm 24:7                                                         

THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

Spring! My favorite season—the renewal of life. Here, in my neck of the woods, the trees are waking up from their long winter's nap. Daffodils bloom, announcing the resurrection of life! The winter woods spring alive with color and bird calls. The stark winter scene is changing to a green lushness.

In spring and every season, we declare our dependence on Him and are reminded of the joy only Christ can give.

Give ear to my words, O LORD,

consider my meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry,

my King, and my God:

for unto thee will I pray.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;

in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee,

and will look up.

Psalm 5:1-3

God is a listening God. He hears the prayer spoken from a believing heart. Are you the owner of a believing heart? What joy when that specific thing prayed about comes about! We realize only God could have done it. And, He did because we asked. Our request was granted from a loving God who wants to be in relation with us.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

I Chronicles 4:10

Pray like Jabez. Ask and receive. Jabez must have come to the point where he realized only God could deliver. In the middle of the night, we turn to our Creator in sincere, sometimes tearful pleas for deliverance of problems. In the morning, we turn to Him for His blessing in our lives. At noonday, we rely on His goodness. In the evening, we remembered His meekness.

A succinct prayer is best. Jabez identified areas he must have pondered. His prayer request was calculated, determined and specific. With tremendous faith, call upon the God of Israel, the God who listens. Jabez didn’t know if God would answer but he still believed. Jabez didn’t know if his requests would be granted but he still asked.

And they were.

Hannah also prayed believing God is able.

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but will give unto thou thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.

I Samuel 1:10-11, 27

Pray like Hannah. Great affliction drove her. She knew an earnestness that caused her to make a vow with the Lord of Hosts. Because of her petition, her sorrowful heartache was turned to joy! She had overflowing joy like the Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 23 because she asked. Sharing joy is knowing answered prayer.

The smartest people are the ones who ask.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6

Request away. God gives us permission to call on Him. God encourages us to call on Him.

Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-14) is another person in the Bible who prayed, asking God at a young age for specific things. The LORD was pleased with what Solomon had asked and what he had not asked for. Mary, the mother of Jesus, believed the things told her (Luke 1:38-45) and said for it to be unto her according to God’s Word. The Bible is full of praying people who relied on God.

The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 29:19

Call upon God and rely on Him through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Smile in the light of redeeming meekness.