Before Spring Was Sprung - Your Nightly Prayer
Before Spring Was Sprung
Your Nightly Prayer for Mar. 13, 2025
By Lynette Kittle
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground”-- Genesis 2:5
SOMETHING TO PONDER
It was surprising to read in Scripture that spring didn’t begin until after God made man. In my reading of the Creation story, my thoughts always envisioned the Garden of Eden being in full bloom when God placed Adam in it. But in looking closer at the passages in Genesis, spring didn’t begin on the earth until after God created someone to take care of all He had planted to grow.
“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed” (Genesis 2:8).
God planted it, but the growth didn’t come until man was created to care for it. Not that God needed us, but He wanted us.
“But streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:6-7).
As well, it reads like there weren’t any shrubs growing or trees planted until Adam appeared. God wanted and waited until He had an earthly caretaker for His plants and trees to grow. Genesis 2:9 describes how “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden was the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
Man was not an afterthought by God but the center of His plan on earth, given charge over His creation. Genesis 1:29-30 describes, “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear Father,
Thank you for creating springtime and creating us to care for Your beautiful, bountiful creation. Encourage our hearts today and every day to appreciate all You have provided for us in the plants and trees. Help us to see Your creation the way You see it. Let us be thankful for the beauty and provision that comes from all You planted and established on earth. Help us to see the caretaking of Your creation as a blessing in our lives.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Take time to enjoy and take in spring this year. Look closer at God’s creativeness in the plants and trees and in the fruit of their vines and branches.
2. Ask God how He wants you to care for the spring that comes forth in your yard, neighborhood, or community. See if there are ways for you to volunteer and help enhance their beauty and growth.
3. Consider planting your own flower or vegetable garden this year, whether in your yard, flower box, pots, or community garden. As well as contemplate donating trees to be planted to replenish areas where needed.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/SimonSkafar
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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