May, according to Webster, is not only the fifth month of the year, but it also describes the springtime of youth. When it is spelled with a lower case “m” it is often replaced with the word can, which is one of its synonyms, another synonym is might, which is used often in the original King James Version of the Bible. From this perspective we look at the words of Jesus in John 10:10; “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” In order to feel the personal impact of these words replace them with you, for while Jesus spoke of the masses He also focused on the individuals out of the masses that would trust in Him, thus He is saying “you can have life, and you can have it more abundantly.” And just like the springtime of youth is in the beginning of a lifetime, so receiving this life puts you in the springtime of the abundance He has made available. And like the springtime signals the beginning of planting and reaping the agricultural harvest of the season, if we, like the farmer who cultivates the soil and plants the seed, cultivate the soil of our heart, following Him and planting the seed of His word within, we can reap the harvest of the abundant life He gives. As a part of this harvest He says we can have joy, and not just any joy but His joy; “These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Another fruit of this harvest is peace, His peace; “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace …” (John 16:33). Yes, we can have all this and so much more in abundance as we pursue Him.
A Prayer For May
-By Rose Hill
May I wait patiently and draw nigh,
For You, O Lord, will hear my cry. *1
May I talk of Your help within,
And Your faithfulness to forgive my sin. *2
May all who seek You Lord be glad,
Always rejoicing and not be sad. *3
May we always consider those in need,
And pray from their troubles they be freed. *4
May we ponder Your steadfast love,
For You send us help from heaven above. *5
May this month of May start out just right,
As we praise You, our God, both day and night. *6
*1 Psalm 40:1; *2 Psalm 40:10; *3 Psalm 40: 16
*4 Psalm 41:1; *5 Psalm 48:9; *6 Psalm 54:4
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.