YOU NEED GOD IN THE SPRING TOO
Spring is upon us. Warmer weather, flowers, gardening, and the temptation to forsake service to God are here. The temptation to put God off while we do our spring yardwork and gardening can be great.
However, we need God in Spring just as much as we do all year round. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:10-2, “And working together wither Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation....” He writes in Hebrews 3:7-8, “Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts…” He continues in verses 13-15:
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15 while it is said,
“Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.”
Israel had shown their lack of faith and complained, sinned, and even turned to other gods during their journey from Egyptian bondage. It finally resulted in their denial of entry into the land of Canaan. Paul refers to a passage in Psalm 97:7-9 where the psalmist refers to God’s plea to Israel not to turn their backs on God, as the journeying Israelites had done. Paul makes the same plea to Christians as we journey to our “rest” in heaven.
You may argue, “It won’t hurt anything to stay home from church a few times to work in my yard or garden.” Are you sure? Many have made the same argument, only to never get back to church. It gets harder and harder to get back the longer you break the commandment against forsaking the assembly (Heb. 10:25).
Paul says, “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Heb, 4:9). He encourages us, “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience” (Heb. 4:11). Let us heed the apostle’s words!
We would love to have you visit with us at the Strasburg church of Christ. The church meets at 467 Aileen Avenue, Strasburg, VA. If you need information, give us a call at 540-331-8833 or send an email to strasburcoc@yahoo.com. See you Sunday!