“Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: Thou hast made summer and winter.”
Psalm 74:17

The sun was bright, the days and nights were hot
All summer long, but my cold soul was not.
Without were sunshine, singing birds and rain;
Within, a frosty chill, a blight, a bane.
The summer breezes tossed my hair, but winter filled my soul.

Then came the autumn leaves of change apace.
The winds, now hot, now cold, opposed my face.
The air was growing cool against my skin,
But I began a warmth to feel within.
The days of autumn change were here, yet springtime filled my soul.

Now winter is upon us, cool and crisp.
The north winds blow their freezing winter wisp.
Without is white and gray and much of blue;
Within a rainbow casts its graceful hue.
Old Winter, blow your stinging breath! God’s summer floods my soul.

℘          ℘          ℘

December 1, 2004 ~ This morning my devotions came from Psalm 74:17, “Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.” The juxtaposition of these two seasons in the same verse, combined with Spurgeon’s appurtenant comments, set my mind to thinking about the myriad of changes that have taken place in my heart over the past six months. This past summer was perhaps the darkest period of my life to date. I faced such depression as I would never like to imagine. I wanted to drink, to put an end to my life, to run away from church, husband and children. I refused to run to God—I held Him responsible. But God never deserted me. He softened my heart in a most unexpected way, through a class that I did not want to take. Who would have known that the book of Isaiah would hold so much truth that I needed to hear? I know it’s silly to say such a thing about any part of God’s Word, but that was the way I felt a few months ago. God has transformed my thinking and my heart. He has given me new life. I already had eternal life, but God restored my soul. The miracle that brought about my salvation continues to occur in my soul, washing me clean from new sins, purging the dross, making me more a reflection of Christ. I don’t know what others see, but I feel young and vibrant and alive again spiritually. I am in love with Christ my Redeemer.

© 2017 Angela Umphers Rueger – All Rights Reserved

Photo taken in Chesapeake, Virginia, 2011