I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your seed, and my blessing on your offspring. They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams ( Isaiah 44:3 3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: –4).

Spring is the surging up of latent life under the warmth of the sun and the moisture of melting snow. Have you sensed the fragrance of spring blowing your way yet? Is not the warmth of God’s favor beginning to stir the latent life of his great church? Is not the God of hope about to apply to us this promise?

Just like in nature, so in the church, springtime is a gift of God. No one can stop the coming of spring when God has appointed its time. And no one can bring forth the life of spring unless God sends it. (Our hearts know the difference between all-embracing spring and greenhouse gladiolas.)

“It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is of no avail” ( John 6:63 63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, are are life. ). If we are to have a springtime surge of life it will be “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord of hosts.”

I will not just preach about him. I will talk to him. We will talk to him. He is here now, and he is on his way to us with springtime power. We will take strength from his presence to entreat his abundance. The Spirit is like an ocean of love. Most of us are still wading along the shore.