The Watchman's Diary

God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength (Job 37:5-6, NKJV)

“Have you entered the treasury of snow?” (Job 38:22)

First I heard them say two feet of snow then it changed to 12-18 inches, then up to 30 inches. I’m not saying the meteorologist don’t know what they are talking about but there is something happening that is causing a state of confusion. So far it’s been blamed on El Nino; so was the rains, then the warm Christmas week. Seems El Nino has been a bad boy this season, or has it? Could it be that these scientists and meteorologists are not really sure what is causing the changes in the weather and the shift in weather patterns?

Well, they do have one other excuse; “Mother Nature”, they say, “is unpredictable”. Tell me, who is this mother nature you are referring to? I thought God was in control of nature! Isn’t that what He told Job when he said to him, “Who is this who darkens counsel
by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me”. We have achieved much and have made much progress in the way of knowledge. However, we ascribe too much of what we have learned to our own “ingenuity” and not to the one Who is knowledge! We have come to know much about the world that is created for us and much about ourselves. However, what we now know is a remnant of the fall, flawed by sin as is our knowledge, or what we call wisdom. You want wisdom, fear the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” but “my people perish for lack of knowledge” because they have trusted in themselves and forgotten the God who created all things.

So, as the Lord cracks the door of the treasury of the snow, we get a glimpse of His power.   Cities shut down and streets are closed. Some have lost electricity and sadly, their lives. Even the great machines we have built struggle to keep up with its accumulation. Yet, it’s as if nothing have left His treasury; his stockpile is not diminished in any way and ten thousand feet of snow would have done no great harm to His supply. Yet, two feet has halted life for so many. Mother nature you say?! No, Almighty God has spoken a word!

The wind has itself caused much stir but it is the blessing of it that has not received much respect. For the wind has kept the roofs free from the weight of the snow and stopped most from daring to continue their journey. The wind has kept the trees from taking hold of more snow than they can bare. There branching no longer threaten power lines and roofs. Their boughs are spared from the strain that so often bring them down and life rejoice at its mercy.

The snow too, has slowed many and inconvenienced others. Some complain about what they could be doing if it wasn’t snowing. Businesses worry about the lost revenue and the government is spending much resources to keep the streets safe. Yet, what is truly lost in all of this? For a city that gets no rest is at last resting; the Sabbath lost to us is again alive and God, Who ordained it, gives us rest in it. God knows what it is that we truly need and gives it without favoritism. Our tired bodies grow week and reckless from the busyness that pervades us and steals away our peace. Within today’s snow storm is a gift of time; to rest, to recover, to spend with family and friends. Time to spend in prayer, study, and glorify God and thank him for his mercy.

Yes, this is mercy! You don’t see it, I know. Especially since lives have been lost and others may have sustained injuries. God ordains what is good, for all good things are from God; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights”. God is and gives life, sin brought death. “It is not God’s will that any should perish” so ascribe to the Lord the honor due His name.

You may call this looking at the glass half full, or optimism. Well, it really doesn’t matter what we call it. What matters is the truth in it. We too often miss God’s blessings because we are too busy staring at the snow. Recognize that the time to stare from a warm room, is a gift after all.