For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Psalm 135:5-7 (ESV)

The forecast called for a dusting of snow with no travel problems expected. Oddly enough the heavy snow was supposed to be to the south of this central Alabama town. But, the forecasters with all of their modern technology and years of meteorological experience missed it by 100-125 miles.

As I look out my window I see three inches of snow on my front yard. The glare of the sun on the snow is somewhat blinding to my natural eye, but the eyes of my spirit are quickened to the words of the psalmist; He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. (Psalm 147:16-18 ESV)

Incidents like this serve to remind us that the God of the universe is sovereign over the weather. Not one snowflake falls apart from his command. Not one drop of sleet or rain or ray of sunshine, nor hurricane, tornado or tsunami nor any other weather event should be considered a freak of nature. And “mother nature” has nothing to do with it. It is Father God who sovereignly directs nature according to his wisdom and predetermined plan.

Psalm 148:7-8 tells us that fire, hail, snow, mist and stormy wind fulfill the word of God. And one psalmist proclaims that God gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses (Psalm 33:7). And yet another psalm reminds us that the thunder, whirlwind and lightning belong to God who commands the stormy wind and lifts the waves of the seas (Psalm 77:18; 107:25). Isaiah the prophet declares that it is by the breathe of God that grass withers and flowers fade (Isaiah 40:7).

Jesus’ disciples saw first hand the sovereign control of God over the weather. As they were being tossed about and swamped by waves, Jesus was asleep in the boat. In fear of their lives his disciples woke him. Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him? (Matthew 8:26-27 ESV) What sort of man was this? God in flesh (John 1:1, 14). He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3 ESV) All things were made by him and through him and for him (Colossians 1:16).

So why did God cause the snow to fall where man did not expect it? Yes, people were inconvenienced. Many motorists were stranded; some abandoned their cars while other spent the night in their cars. Indeed this is an act of a merciful God; a loving call for repentance and worship. This event and others like it are a graceful nudge to stand in awe of the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Have you relinquished your life to the hands of the God who sovereignly controls the weather?

Scriptures for meditation:
Job 37:6,10-12
Luke 13:1-5

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