What the Bible Says About the Glory of Autumn
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Autumn brings relief from the heat of the summer before the cold of winter. It is a sign of change, of the earth's cycles of life, harvest, death, and renewal. As the trees prepare for their winter dormancy, they lose their hard-working chlorophyll so they can shed the vast surface area of the leaves. But in between, they give us a glimpse of the magnificent colors God used for those leaves: red, orange, yellow, and brown, revealing the glory of nature, as if He were giving us an autumn gift for our eyes.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Harvest
The more practical matter of autumn is the harvest of food from the ground, the most fundamental need of our earthly bodies. God has given us what we require, and the ability to gather what we need for the winter ahead.
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Patience
The Bible reminds us that the growing season is long, and requires patience and diligence, but the reward is great.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Thankfulness
How can we not be thankful for the gifts of the harvest? Our labor and patience are nothing without the blessings from God that enable the bounty we reap.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Metaphor
Many of the verses that speak of planting seeds and waiting patiently for the harvest are used as metaphors for spreading the Gospel of Jesus. This requires us to plant those seeds, which may not bring immediate results. However, those seeds that fall into fertile ground will reap a glorious harvest of souls, as told in the parables of Matthew 13. The ultimate harvest belongs to the Lord.
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Metaphors are a way to relate what God wants us to know with something that people already understand. They are also used to highlight the contrast between the what is earthly and ephemeral and what is eternal.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Keep these verses in mind as you enjoy the glorious colors of autumn and the bountiful harvest. Keep gratitude in your heart for the blessings God has showered on us, most of all for the gift of Jesus Christ.
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