Song of Solomon 2:12

Sweet is the season of spring: the long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate its genial warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its present delights. After periods of spiritual depression, it is delightful to behold again the light of the Sun of Righteousness; then our slumbering graces rise from their lethargy, like the crocus and the daffodil from their beds of earth; then our heart rejoices with sweet notes of gratitude, far more melodious than the warbling of birds—and the comforting assurance of peace, infinitely more delightful than the turtledove’s call, is heard within the soul.

Now is the time for the soul to seek communion with her Beloved; now she must rise from her natural corruption and come away from her old associations. If we do not hoist the sail when the breeze is favourable, we will be blameworthy: times of refreshing should not pass over us unused.

When Jesus Himself visits us in tenderness and urges us to arise, can we be so base as to refuse His request? He has Himself risen that He may draw us after Him; He now by His Holy Spirit has revived us, that we may, in newness of life, ascend into the heavenly places and hold communion with Him.

Let our wintry state be enough of coldness and indifference for us; when the Lord creates a spring within, let our sap flow with vigour, and our branch blossom with high resolve. O Lord, if it is not springtime in my chilly heart, I pray You make it so, for I am deeply weary of living at a distance from You.

Oh, the long and dreary winter, when will You bring it to an end? Come, Holy Spirit, and renew my soul! Quicken me! Restore me, and have mercy on me! This very night I earnestly implore the Lord to take pity on His servant and send me a joyful revival of spiritual life!