Spring
W. Jay. Psalm 104:30 You send forth your spirit, they are created: and you renew the face of the earth. I. LET US GO FORTH INTO THE FIELD TO MEDITATE: meditation is often better than books. Our own thoughts will do us much more good than the opinions of others. Danger often attends our perusal of the works of men; but there is no hazard in pursuing knowledge among the works of God. II. IT BECOMES US NOT ONLY TO OBSERVE NATURE, BUT TO OBSERVE IT DEVOTIONALLY, AND AS CHRISTIANS. There is a difference between our studying them as mere admirers and philosophers, and applying them as men formed by Divine grace for a life of communion with God. See a Christian among the works of nature. He looks after God in all — for He needs Him in all: and be is enabled to find Him. Though familiar with the effect, he does not disregard the cause. He also makes them images to remind him of better things. The rising sun brings to his thoughts "the Sun of Righteousness arising with healing under His wings"; a flowing spring, the influence of the Holy Ghost; the rain and the dew, the doctrine of the Gospel. Thus, by a holy chemistry, he extracts heaven from earth. III. LET US OBSERVE AND ADORE THIS WONDER-WORKING GOD IN RENEWING THE FACE OF THE EARTH. How many times has He done this since the creation! He does it every year. Let us remember, that He who renews the face of the earth, can renew the Church. Think of any particular cause — however depressed, He can revive it; however small, He can increase it. He can also renew the soul. We read of the "renewing of the Holy Ghost"; and of being "renewed in the spirit of our minds." Thus "God beautifies the meek with salvation"; and the change in nature is an imperfect representation of the change made in the soul by Divine grace. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. WEB: You send forth your Spirit: they are created. You renew the face of the ground.