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

Forgiveness is sweet! Grace is splendid!

In Veery Glade, the still blooming daffodils, the dark red trilliums, and the innocent white trilliums remind me of the reason for Jesus Christ's death on the cross-- forgiveness. Payment was made for our sins.

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 11:17-18

The glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ went from a small group of 120 Christian Jews to every soul. What a movement from a small beginning to where it is today! The door of faith was opened to Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus' word of people being baptized with the Holy Spirit was realized. Old Testament prophecies of salvation had been fulfilled. Through faith in the Son of God, who bore our iniquities on the cross, forgiveness was obtained.

God granted repentance unto life. This is interesting. God granted, or gave, the repentance. God's work in an individual moves him or her to make a decision about something. That particular decision is, I'm sure, a turning away from sin, maybe a stubborn sin, and turning to God. 'Unto life' is not 'unto death'. The gift of life comes from God.

The Jewish Christians became silent when Peter spoke to them. They were thinking. The old way was being replaced by a new way, like a paradigm shift. The vision and happenings that had occurred before the above verse explained what God was doing and they began to see. They realized their old traditions were not as wonderful as what God was now doing.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Repentance is, in a sense, a gift from God. Act now unto life. Eternal life. Jesus is the only One with these words.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:18

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 25:46

Jesus is the One who separates the believers from the un-believers, like sheep from goats. God cannot look at sin, and there isn't any in Heaven. We must be born again, as Jesus said. That is the requirement for entrance into God's Heavenly realm. We must apply His forgiveness, where our crimson red sins are made as white as snow. We must receive Jesus, or face spiritual death and punishment.

Lift up your head and choose life! Let the King of Glory come in! 

May you smile like the daffodil, forgiven and free, the recipient of the gracious gift to repent.