“The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land” (Song of Solomon 2:12)

Spring is the season when everything comes alive. The long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate its genial warmth, and the promise of the coming summer enhances our pleasure. After enduring a season of spiritual depression, it’s delightful to see again the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Our slumbering graces can now rise from their lethargy, like the flowers from the earth. The comforting assurance of peace is within me…my Savior is here. 

 Now’s the time for my soul to seek communion with the Beloved; now I rise from native friends, and come away from old associations. If I don’t hoist my sail when the breeze is favorable, I’ll miss the opportunity of these times of refreshing. When Christ Himself visits me with tenderness, and bids me rise, can I be so base as to refuse His request? He has Himself risen so I can come after Him: His Holy Spirit has revived me, so I can, in newness of life, ascend into the heavenlies, and hold communion with Him. 

 Let’s throw off the winter clothes of coldness and indifference when the Lord creates a spring within, let our sap flow with vigor, and our branches blossom with new life. Oh, Lord, if it’s not yet spring time in my chilly heart, make it so, for I’m weary of living at a distance from You. Oh! The long and dreary winter, when will You bring it to an end? Come, Holy Spirit, and renew my soul! quicken me! Restore me, and have mercy on me! This very night I ask You to take pity on me, and send me a revival of spiritual life!