As I write this, it is early morning, and the promised snowstorm has arrived. The snow is falling steadily and has begun covering the ground. The forecast calls for upwards of a foot of snow or more, and my family and I are hunkered down. Our plans for the day are simple: shoveling snow with my son, enjoying delicious treats baked by my wife, and watching a movie my daughter has been asking about for weeks. A day like this is a pause in the business of life and can be a pleasant experience that breaks up the “ordinariness” of life, but there is more that we can experience on a snow day. Because “the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1),” and God’s invisible attributes, “namely his eternal power and divine nature,” have been revealed in his creation (Rom. 1:20), that means there are always things to learn about Him when we observe and experience his creation. Here, then, are three lessons about God that we can transfer from a snowstorm to our lives.
God Is The Almighty Sovereign Of Creation
[15] He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. [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? (Psalm 147:15-17)
Make no mistake, God is not a passive participant in the weather patterns of this world. He has not merely created the conditions that can, and at times do, result in snowstorms. All things, including every storm and sunny day, exist at His command. The reason why the world has shut down in the face of 12-18 inches of snow is that God, in the mystery of His providence, decided that this would be best. Our helplessness in the face of a blizzard cuts through the subtle deception that we are in charge of our lives. God alone holds our days in His hand, and all creation bends to His sovereign and mighty will. Snow days are an occasion to humble ourselves before our almighty God who rules over every storm.
God Is The Gracious Purifier of Sinners
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
The beauty of the falling snow is a fresh opportunity to remember how much we have been forgiven. We have all been conceived and born into sin, and as our lives play out, we give evidence to that corruption in the many ways that we sin each day. The ungrateful grumbling. The impure fantasy. The coveting of things we don’t have. The anger that bursts from our hearts when we are slighted. The times that we barely even remember or acknowledge that God exists. Each one of us knows what it is like to face the corruption of our hearts (Ps. 53:3).
Praise be to God that He has not left us in this dire and helpless condition! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of a virgin, entered into the corruption of our fallen humanity. While we all have sinned, he never committed any sin, and he laid down his righteous life as an atoning sacrifice for sinners like you and me. On the cross, God “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Because of His substitutionary death and resurrection, everyone who repents and trusts in Him is forgiven and cleansed of the guilt of our sin.
When King David repented of his sin with Bathsheba, his petition for grace included these words: “purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps. 51:7). The beauty of the falling snow reminds us that though “our sins they are many, his mercy is more!” In Christ, we have been purified and cleansed by his blood. Every time we observe the snow, we have a fresh reminder of how much we have to be grateful for. Beloved, let fresh gratitude ring out of our hearts on this snowy day and indeed every day as we remember the sacrifice of the Savior.
God Is Worthy of Our Praise
[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. (Job 37:5-6)
We serve a wonderful God whose greatness is beyond our comprehension. It is right that we humble ourselves before Him, but it is also fitting that we rejoice in Him and lift our voices in praise. He is not only the God of all creation, but He is OUR God! In Christ, we have been given the right to call Him Father (John 1:12)! Our God has commanded that snow fall on the earth today, and in his great wisdom, he has ordained that this day and every day must work together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).
In light of His power, wisdom, and grace, how can we not praise the Lord? All of God’s commands are good and wise, but some of them are so sweet that our redeemed hearts instinctively respond—exhortations like “Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!: (Ps. 148:7-8). Whatever we find ourselves doing today—shoveling snow, enjoying good food, laughing with our friends and family, or taking a nap—let all of it be done with praise and joy. Our God is worthy of praise, and we declare: Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!” (Ps. 72:18-19).
Let’s not waste another snow day but let us meet the beauty and the challenges of this day with humility, gratitude, and praise. We serve the almighty sovereign of all creation, He has purified us by his grace in Christ, and He is worthy of all our praise!