David's Daily Devotion for June 1

June 1, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, June 1.

Were you thinking that today was the first day of summer? Or maybe last Monday, Memorial Day? Well, the official first day of summer isn't till June 20. That's the summer solstice. The word "solstice" comes from a Latin word that literally means "sun stopped". June 20 is the day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, and it's the longest day and the shortest night of the year. But, that's still three weeks away. Here in Shelby County, Texas it feels like summer has already begun. And in my backyard... there are signs of it.

The leaves have begun to appear on my fig tree. We get a ton of figs from that big tree, but they don't come till late July. But Jesus, himself, reminds us of the connection that the coming of the fig leaves has with the coming of the season. In Matthew 24:32, he says, "Now learn the parable of the fig tree; when its branches have become tender and put forth leaves, you know that summer is near". This little parable came at the end of a lengthy teaching session that Jesus had with the Twelve about the signs of His second coming. And in verse 33 we read, "So, too, when you see these signs, you'll know that I am near, right at the door".

There was a gospel song that premiered in the '70's - just about everybody recorded it - and it was called "Redemption Draweth Nigh". The chorus went like this -

Signs of the time are everywhere. There's a brand new feeling in the air.
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky. Lift up your heads, redemption draweth nigh

Matthew 24:42 - And so, be on the alert, for you do not know what day your Lord is coming...

Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org