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The devotion on June 14 drew attention to the Azalea bush in our yard. At the time it was covered with beautiful red blossoms, though some were beginning to drop. Today, there are no signs of blossoms. The bush is now covered with green leaves and remains of blossoms. It’s a sign of the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It’s a sign of the change of season.

I must admit I’m sad summer is ending. Oh, I prefer the cooler evenings, I’m glad that there are fewer bugs, and I’m relieved that the air is fresher and much needed rain answers the cry of so many facing terrifying forest fires. But I do like summer. I know I’ll soon say how much I like fall. Each season brings its own beauty.

Psalm 74:17 says of God, “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.” Acts 14:17 says that God “has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with food and fills your hearts with joy.” In other words, the change of seasons is a sign of God’s sovereignty and authority. As Creator, he has determined the rhythm of the universe, this world, even our lives. And the change of seasons reminds us of God’s provision – he gives us our daily bread. God is worthy of worship.

Just as significant are Jeremiah 8:7 and Daniel 2:21. Jeremiah 8:7 is a rebuke: “Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.” If birds can understand the seasons, surely God’s people should understand the Lord’s commands. Similarly, Daniel 2:21 says God “changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” The change in season illustrates God’s power over politics and world events, but also God’s offer of wisdom to those who are open to receive it. Both these verses remind us that the change in season is not merely a result of change in the orbit of the earth around the sun and the shift in average temperature; the change in season is a call to a closer walk with Jesus, a greater openness to God’s truth, a deeper willingness to listen to Jesus.

This bush has lost the blossoms from earlier in the year. It’s a natural result of the change of season. As we enter Fall, let’s renew our commitment to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the sovereign God who blesses us with his provision, who calls us to devoted discipleship, who brings us to our knees in worship at the signs of his glory and goodness.

視頻大意翻譯(video Chinese translation):

大家早。

6月14日的靈修引起了人們對這片灌木叢的注意。當時它被美麗的紅色覆蓋著，儘管有些已經開始凋零。今天，這片灌木叢上已經沒有花了，只蓋滿了綠葉。這是夏末秋初的記號。是季節變化的記號。

我必須承認，我很難過夏天即將結束。我比較喜歡涼爽的夜晚，我很高興蟲子少了，我覺得鬆了一口氣，空氣更新鮮，急需的雨水回應了多人面對可怕的森林野災的呼喊。但我確實喜歡夏天，我也知道我很快就會說我有多喜歡秋天。我想每個季節都有它的美麗。 

詩篇74：17說”地的一切疆界、是你所立的．夏天和冬天、是你所定的。”使徒行傳14：17說，上帝“從天降雨、賞賜豐年、叫你們飲食飽足、滿心喜樂。”換句話說，季節的變化是神主權和權威的標誌。作為造物主，他決定了宇宙、這個世界甚至我們生命的節奏。季節的變化提醒我們神的供應——他賜給我們每日的糧食。神是值得敬拜的。

同樣重要的是耶利米書8：7和但以理書2：21。耶利米書8：7是責備：”空中的鸛鳥、知道來去的定期．斑鳩燕子與白鶴、也守候當來的時令．我的百姓、卻不知道耶和華的法則。”如果鳥兒能理解季節，神的子民當然應該理解主的命令。同樣，但以理書2：21說 ”他改變時候、日期、廢王、立王、將智慧賜與智慧人、將知識賜與聰明人。”季節的變化說明神對政治和世界的能力，也說明神向那些願意接受智慧的人賜給智慧。這兩節經文都提醒我們，季節的變化不僅僅是地球繞太陽軌道變化和平均溫度變化的結果;季節的變化是呼召與耶穌更親密地同行，對神的真理更加敞開，更願意聆聽耶穌。 

這棵灌木叢在今年初就已經沒了花朵。這是季節變化的自然結果。當我們即將進入秋天時，讓我們重申我們對天地之主的承諾，他供應並祝福我們，他呼召我們成為虔誠的門徒，他讓我們跪下敬拜他的榮耀和美善。

讓我們一起禱告。

Grace and peace

Pastor Callum