Creation, through the seasons puts God’s beauty on display each in its own way, and autumn stakes a valid claim as one of the most stunning. Inviting us to come, magnify the Lord in the seasons of our own lives, what can we learn from autumn’s vibrant voice of praise?
“Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold. Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.”
Each season gives itself completely away. Spring shares the beauty of new birth, summer the beauty of abundance, autumn the beauty of death, and winter the beauty of rest in waiting.
God’s works in creation praise Him (Psalm 19:1, Psalm 148, Job 12:7-10, Romans 1:20) but how do I magnify the Lord in the seasons of my life, especially the harder seasons?
Elihu’s rebuke to Job in Job 36:24-25, pointed to Job’s self-righteous attitude in condemning God’s actions in his life. God accused Job outright of this in Job 40:8. Job passed judgment on God’s works in his life rather than magnifying God through praise.
Are we as quick with praise for God’s work in our lives as we are with criticism of His will for our lives?
These words from the book of Job remind me others watch us as we watch God. They behold God’s ways and works in our lives from a distance.
They also behold our response to God.
Enthralled with the magnificence of autumn, I watch as creation’s response to a season coming to an end is utter abandonment to the Creator’s wishes. The necessity for change; even death, is met with praise in the glorious splendor unfolding before us.
Autumn magnifies God’s work through its beauty and the bounty of its fields yielded for sustenance until the next growing season. Though trees and gardens near the end of their time, they diminish not in their work of magnifying God’s glory.
They continue their offering of praise as dried flower heads filled with seeds remain a bounty for migrating birds and insects, dried leaves and debris form a blanket of fertilizer in the garden and ripened nuts make a winter feast for small animals.
I think of times in my own life where one season drew to a close, beckoning me into another. Often, I lamented its close, and at times even diminished my efforts or interests rather than giving my all until the very end.
Remembering too, my irritations or reluctance in accepting the necessary end of a season, I wonder now how I represented God’s work in my life to others.
As I spend time beholding autumn’s delightful abandon in magnifying the Creator, my heart longs to do the same, as I:
Praise Him with surrender to His timing.
Extol His perfect ways in the events of my life.
Sing of His faithfulness in every season of my life, but especially the hard ones.
Testify of the goodness of His will and purpose for my life.
Proclaim the wonders of his unfailing love.
Glorify His abundant provision in every season.
Declare the security of His Presence with me always.
From the privileged place of intimacy with God, as His child, may I choose to magnify the Lord of the Universe to others beholding afar off, that they too, may know the depth of His love for them.
Will you come magnify the Lord with me in this season?
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Autumn is my favorite season – one that I have always associated with comfort in a way no other season does. Each season is designed to grow and give – but in is fall with its ” dried flower heads filled with seeds” that has potentially the most powerful, beautiful task of all – to reseed what has grown in our faith, to water another’s faith seed – maybe that is why autumn is so very striking – even in the drying, decaying and dying.
Maryleigh, my favorite season is autumn as well! I agree, somehow autumn feels like a special season which nurtures deeply our souls!
“They continue their offering of praise as dried flower heads filled with seeds….” I love this, Donna. Even in our “dry” season, we can offer up the gifts that God bestows upon us.
Lynn, thank you for your insight! So many times, we think dry seasons are of no value, yet creation reminds us every season is used by the Creator!
I love the change of seasons for each one holds its unique beauty and aroma. May my life magnify the Lord in every season as I remember He is good and faithful in all He does and in all His ways.
Yes Joanne! We can magnify the Lord in any season, and any part of our earthly journey. Hallelujah!