Snow is blanketing the East Coast this weekend in record amounts. Hundreds of thousands of homes are without power. Work will be disrupted for companies, small businesses, schools, and even the government. Thirty inches of snow simply cannot be ignored. Once again, the power of man quickly pales in comparison to the power of God. The scientific explanation of how snow occurs is not complex. The right combination of moisture, temperature, and a low pressure system will result in snow. However, small deviations in any of these three variables can result in ice or rain instead of snow. The convergence of just the right factors results in major storms like the one occurring now. For some this is a random convergence, occurring with all the certainty of a roll of the dice. But for those who believe in the God of the Bible, weather is not random at all. The Book of Job makes this statement:
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
So that all men he has made may know his work,
he stops every man from his labor. Job 37:5-7
This snowstorm is stopping many from their normal work and routines. Of this there is no question. However, how many will understand that God has done this so that all will acknowledge his power? It is God who says, “Snow!” and it snows. It is God who determines when the combination of temperature, moisture and low pressure will produce record snows. Even in this storm, God is saying to man, “Be still and know that I am God.” One thing you can be sure of is that no one on cable news channels will be attributing this storm to the power of God. The headlines will not read: God Sends Massive Snowstorm to the Mid-Atlantic.
But, Christian, that is something that you do know. God has revealed it to you by his Spirit through his Word. We must be faithful to God and not represent his actions to others as random meteorological events. We know why there is a crippling snowstorm. God is making his vast power known in this storm, and it is an opportunity to speak about who God is. Don’t join with others–even by your silence–in attributing this storm merely to weather systems.
One reason we often find it difficult to witness to others is that we don’t honor God for what he does. Also, one reason that our children may struggle with appreciating the glory and power of God is that we don’t associate God frequently enough with his actions, such as snowstorms. We may find it easier to leave the explanation to the Weather Channel. If that is the case, then God has not been honored as he should be, and those who need to hear of God’s wonder and power are not told.
May God cause us to rejoice with awe at his power. He alone can speak to the snow, saying , “Fall on the earth.” Our God has many titles, titles too numerous to count. Here is one title that will help you spread his glory on the earth: God is the Snowmaker.