August 31 – Winter is Past, Rain is Gone

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! O my dove, in the clefts of the rock.” Song of Solomon 2:10-14

O Lord, how often has it been winter with me; but You have always quickened me again! Grant that by these experiences I may be so used to Your ways, as always to expect the best from You in everything, and to have only this one care: how I may please You as Your bride and dove, and be accepted through You with Your Father. Let my faith be so strengthened by all Your dealings with me, that at last I may have boldness and find complete rest in Your wounds, my crucified Savior, where there is room for the greatest of sinners — even for me.

My soul, Jesus calls you away from self, from sin, and from the world. He says, “Come away.” He desires your company. He wishes to hold communion with your spirit. He desires to make you happy with His own sweet love. Arise. Follow Jesus. Go with Him to your closet, to His Father’s word, and to your mother’s house. Let Him have your heart, your company, your all, for He is worthy.

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)