Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation..."

 In Minnesota, we may have depths of slushy snow covering the ground as far as the eye can see, but we are already delighting and marveling at God's faithfulness, new every morning and new every year! The images of broccoli and cabbage below were taken this morning and there are still more germinating as I write.

 Isaiah 61:11 uses the germination of a seed and the vegetation of the earth to illustrate the faithfulness of God and testify to what He will do and how He will be victorious: 

"For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to sprout up before all the nations."

"Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
    and righteousness looks down from the sky." (Psalm 85:11)

  

“Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the Lord, have created it. (Isaiah 45:8)

 I never cease to be amazed at the sight of a germinating plant. The thought of burying a tiny hard speck in mysterious live dirt and watching it unfurl, thrusting aside it's empty shell and turning sturdy cotyledons towards the light is marvelous!

It is both a beautiful reflection of God's steadfast provision and renewal of the earth through every season and a picture of the regenerating, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in us. 

"...what you sow is not made alive unless it dies." (1 Cor 15:36)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:24-26)