It is only February and already the songbirds here in interior Alaska sound a little different. These are the diehard birds that stick with us through the long, dark winter. I hear a new cheery note in their call as the days begin to lengthen once again. Spring is still far off at this latitude, but the birds always know it will come. I am thankful to God today for this token of hope, the winter songbirds outside my window. -KN

From A Basket of Summer Fruit by Susannah Spurgeon (written after the death of her beloved husband, C. H. Spurgeon):

“Many a time have the birds in the garden sung a lesson in my listening ears, and rebuked my dullness or my unbelief, by their gleeful carolings. Ah! dear friends, some of us do not praise our God half enough. We ‘raise an Ebenezer’ now and then; but we pitifully fail to obey the command. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’

“Yet, how much we have to bless Him for, and what sweet encouragement is given to our gratitude by His assurance, ‘Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me!’ How often are we told, in His Word, that He takes delight in our thanksgivings and songs! The praise we render is dearer to Him than that of angels—for they cannot bless Him for redeeming love, for pardoned sin, and the blessed hope of resurrection glory.

“The feeble notes uttered on earth by a truly thankful and sanctified heart must, I think, swell into anthems of glorious melody as they rise to the throne of God!”

“It is the overcoming ones who learn to praise. The fingers which can most adroitly use the sword, are the most skillful in touching the harp. Each time God gives us the victory over sin, we learn a new song with which to laud and bless His holy Name.

“Does it not make your heart leap to know that your Lord takes pleasure in your praise? In His ears are ever sounding the eternal symphonies of the universe—that majestic chorus which began when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy; but He turns from these to you, and with infinite tenderness and love, bends to listen to the grateful songs of His redeemed ones, as they bless Him for all His benefits.

“The feeble notes uttered on earth by a truly thankful and sanctified heart must, I think, swell into anthems of glorious melody as they rise to the throne of God!”

Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon by Ray Rhodes, Jr.