THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

The daffodil stands by the edge of the wood,
near a slumbering red maple tree,
and 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
to heal long worn out expressions of old,
and soothe ancient ages of yore.
 
He stands on a knoll that will carry the tune,
where sun shines a-warm on the dew.
And he plays out a “Toot, Ala Toot-ti-ly Toot!
Wake up every tree, little critters, and you!”
 
His song wakens others and soon there are many
to proclaim the renewal of life.
Their horns call brightly! The woods 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 only Christ can give
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 listening. He hears the prayer spoken from a believing heart. What joy when specific things prayed for come about! We realize only God could have done it. Our request was granted from a loving God.

And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 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 4:9-10

Ask and receive. Jabez must have realized only God can deliver. And because he was more honorable than his brethren, perhaps he had good self-control.

We turn to our Creator in sincere pleas for deliverance of problems. In the morning, we turn to Him for His blessing in our lives. At noonday, we rely on His guidance. In the evening, we reflect on the ninth fruit of the Holy Spirit—self-control.

A succinct prayer is best. Jabez identified specific areas he must have pondered. With faith, may we 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 granted! May this encourage us to pray like Jabez.

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

Great affliction rooted bitterness in Hannah’s soul but she knew she could call on the name of Almighty God to help her. Her heartache caused her to make a vow in soberness of mind with the Lord of Hosts. Her sorrow was then turned to joy! She had overflowing joy like the Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 23. May we also be encouraged to pray like Hannah.

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

Philippians 4:6

As we know, God encourages us to call on Him. We know He is able to help us. Sometimes, that involves increasing our discipline through difficult times. He can aid us to avoid bad decisions. He can prevent us from following evil ways. He can carry us through hardships. We may not know why we suffer but He has a plan and we must trust Him through it with maintained self-control. Remember Joseph?

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Titus 1:7-9

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 is our National Day of Prayer.

May you remember to call upon God and rely on Him through our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sound out with a trumpet the joy in knowing God, the Holy Spirit, who is the source of the fruit of self-control.