Sovereign Snow Giver

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?” - Job 38:22

That was a lot of snow that fell this weekend! After clearing my driveway there are walls of snow mountains circling my property. At the church parking lot, parking spaces are filled with piles of heavy snow. The amount of snow that fell is incredible.

Even though we are Minnesotans who are comfortable driving in snow, the depth of snow accumulation tested the limits of our snow travel abilities. Churches, schools, and businesses closed down. The plows were busy just trying to keep a path open for emergency vehicles. Cars littered the ditches.

And surely, more than one person wondered why God would do such a thing. It’s easy to get frustrated with the weather. It disrupts our routines. It creates more work for us. It is uncomfortable. People throw out their backs and have heart attacks while shoveling.

Yet, if we look at it from a different perspective, we have much opportunity to thank and praise God for the snow. Job tells us that God has storehouses of snow simply to show off his great power over creation. Do you marvel at God’s might when you see over a foot of snow?

Psalm 51 longs to be washed clean from sin so that fleshly garment will be whiter than snow. Do you see the blanket of snow as a reminder of God covering you with Christ’s righteousness?

Proverbs 25 tells us that snow in harvest time is a welcome and refreshing surprise to cool down the weary farmer, like a message of hope that the labor is almost done. Do you welcome the snow as a reminder of God’s refreshing gospel message that encourages ongoing faithfulness?

Our God is sovereign over every detail of creation. Every snowflake, every raindrop, every bird’s song, every blooming flower is declaring God’s handiwork (Psalm 19:1). These things are not so that you will simply say, “That’s neat.” But that you would better understand who he is and what he has done for you in Christ. And with this inspired knowledge, you would engage life with even more faithfulness.

God dropped a foot of snow on us to get our attention. Are you listening? One brother told me after Sunday morning that my emergency sermon was exactly the thing he needed to hear. And that message wouldn’t have happened if a foot of snow hadn’t disrupted our normal routine. God used that snowstorm to change everyone’s Sunday schedule, so that that brother would hear that message.

What message does God want you to hear when your expectations are disrupted?

Let us always be looking for an opportunity to give thanks, to praise God, and to grow in our understanding of his ways.

Thankful all that snow is melting quickly,

Adam and the elders