God’s Power Over Nature
During a ski outing in Colorado several years ago, snow had fallen heavily. I skied into a patch of deep snow late in the day and was instantly buried up to my chest. I struggled to get out, but my struggling just seemed to make it worse. As the minutes wore on, I became exhausted. I called out to the Lord for His help and was eventually able to climb out. This experience reminded me that I stay alive only because of God's gracious will.
Jeremiah 14:22 says, "Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things."
It is a comfort to the Christian's heart to know that God didn't just create the universe, then walk away. Instead, He works out all things - including the weather - to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).
Whether it is the sunny, clear blue skies we experience today or the heavy-laden snow clouds we face tomorrow, God's sovereign hand is over nature. Not only has God established physical laws by which He governs nature, but those laws continually operate according to His will.
Consider Psalm 147, where God's people are encouraged to sing about God's power over nature:
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
16 He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
Also, consider Job 37:
5 God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
12 They turn around and around by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
13 Whether for correction or for his land
or for love, He causes it to happen.
Verse 13 reminds us that God controls nature to accomplish His purposes...whether it is for our correction, for His land, or for love.
Snow is a reminder of God's love through His ability to forgive us when we repent of our sin (1 John 1:9), washing our hearts white and clean, pure as freshly fallen snow:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)
God uses nature to tune our hearts with His.
"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!" (Psalm 147:7)