March: Clean Out the Storehouse; Make Room for the Bounty of God’s Blessings
Between the end of the winter months and just before spring’s burst of warmer days is a time when we can catch our breath. For some, it has been an extra-long winter with heavy snowfall while others have experienced spurts of unseasonably warm weather. With our daily schedules full of activities, it sometimes feels as though there are so many layers of things to do, things to have and things to be. Although it is cliché, I find this time of year to be a great time for a ‘spring cleaning of the layers of our lives’ – everything that is holding us back from getting closer to God in order to spend more time with Him in His word, communion and prayer.
On a recent rainy weekend, I thought what a perfect time to start my spring cleaning. Which room? Which closet? Which drawers? As I started to map out my plans, I heard a whisper on my heart: Clear out your storehouse of the old to open up the doors to the bounty of God’s promises and blessings.
I sat back for a moment to ponder the message whispered to my heart. I wrote down the words in my journal and started a rough sketch of a storehouse with doors opening. I began to question, what does this mean? What is my storehouse? What do I need to clear out of the storehouse of my heart? What are the things holding me back from God’s calling and promises?
I took out my Bible and went to biblical research commentaries to learn about the meaning of the storehouse in the word of God.
I read in a commentary:
When we think about the storehouse, it symbolizes God’s incredible provision and His desire for us to experience abundance in our lives. In times of need, we can lean on God’s promises to supply all our needs. It reminds us that even when circumstances appear bleak, we can trust in God’s overflowing blessings. Spiritually, the storehouse is where we find not just material goods, but also spiritual nourishment and strength.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
This encourages us to understand that God wants us to live a life of plenty, operating out of His storehouse, sharing our blessings with others and reflecting His generosity. Our storehouse is full when we cultivate gratitude and generosity within ourselves, knowing that we will never run dry.
As I read through several commentaries and Bible verses, I began to realize and think, that a storehouse is not just a reference to a structure, a building or place, but actually could be a place in our hearts where we have created a store house of doubts, hurts, and unforgiveness. This is the season we need to clear out our own store houses and let go of these layers of past disappointments to open up the window of our souls to trust in God’s love and promises.
To trust in our storehouse of God also speaks of our faith in Him, to know there is always a supply for our needs, and that we can turn to Him for all things.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26
As we grow closer to God by reading and meditating upon His word we begin to grow our reliance on Him and He will help guide our thoughts away from scarcity and toward abundance.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” – Psalms 23:1
Trusting God is to know precisely what we need before we even ask for it. We can embrace true peace by opening the door to our hearts to focus on living a life of faith and gratitude. When we truly embrace and trust in God’s supply, we are able to step into the fullness of life that He has promised us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12
May I encourage all of us to clean out the weeds of the past from our storehouses and open up to the bounty of God’s promises. This Spring season, plant seeds of God’s word in your heart to prepare for the bounty of the love and promises He has in store for you in the coming seasons.
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish… so is my word that goes out from my mouth.”
Isaiah 55:10-11
DIRECTIVES:
Which room or area in your storehouse needs to be cleaned?
What do you need to let go of? (Do not be fearful to let go of the past hurts and disappointments)