'As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.' Genesis 8:22, NIV

 

In Genesis 6:5-8:22, we read about a dark period in human history. People had become so corrupt and violent that God regretted creating humanity (Genesis 6:5-7). In his righteous judgment, God decided to cleanse the earth with a great flood. This passage is not easy to digest – it reveals the deadly consequences of sin. But amid judgment, we also see grace. God saw Noah’s righteousness and chose to spare him and his family. He decided to begin writing the story of mankind anew with them.

 

By God’s order, Noah built an ark – a majestic ship, a vessel to carry himself, his family and the animals to safety. Then the rain came down. The Lord protected Noah and all aboard the ark for the whole duration of the flood. When Noah and his family eventually left the ark, they offered a sacrifice to God. Then came a turning point: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans ... never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done” (Genesis 8:21). Here we see God's unconditional grace. He chose not to destroy the Earth with water again, even though humanity remains inclined toward wrongdoing.

 

In Genesis 8:22, God re-establishes the natural rhythm of life – the fixed patterns of seasons and time. It is a sign of his care: regardless of who we are or whether we serve him or not, he provides for the needs of the world. There will always be seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. Life on earth remains under his control.

 

But how precious it is to know God, not only to live from his provision but to live in relationship with him. Even when it feels as if everything around us is falling apart, he remains the God who cares. We can trust that he holds everything in his hands.

 

And we learn another important lesson: even after the worst storms, life goes on. The Lord can begin something new again, even when we have lost everything. He brings restoration. He uses the seasons, not only in nature, but in our lives, to shape us, care for us and bring new life.

 

Spring is a reminder of this: God always gives new beginnings. New opportunities to grow. New hope. And a renewed trust in his faithful hand that leads us.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you walk the road of life with me in grace. Thank you for being present in every season of my life. Thank you that day and night, summer and winter, cold and heat are under your control. Teach me to trust in the new season you will bring, even during the cold, dark and difficult times. Amen.