GOD GIVES US WEATHER
“He brings the clouds. . . to water the earth and show his love.” Job 37:13
Do you know what the weather forecast is for tomorrow? Without a forecast we might dress for a sunny day and be caught in the rain. Even though the meteorologists try to make accurate predictions, the Lord sometimes shows them that he has different plans. After all, God owns the weather, and only he knows exactly what the weather will be.
There are many different types of weather that God sends for many different reasons. God gives us sunshine because plants need that to grow. God also sends rain to water the plants. Plants need water to live. If it is cold outside, God sends water in snowflakes that stay on the ground until he is ready to warm up the weather. God also uses the wind to move tiny seeds so he can plant them elsewhere. Thunderstorms are another type of weather we don’t much enjoy. However, God even uses the lightning to help feed his plants with nitrogen.
Weather was important in the Bible. Psalm 77:17,18 says: “The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.” Job 37:6-13 (selected) says: “He says to the snow, ‘fall on the earth,’ and to the rain showers, ‘be a mighty downpour.’ He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water the earth and show his love.”
Did you know that Jesus spoke about the weather? He once said: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is” (Luke 12:54,55). And again Jesus said: “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast’” (Matthew 16:2,3).
No matter which type of weather we study, we must admit that it all comes from the hand of our almighty God who is always in control. He calls for the wind and sends the rain and snow. Every time it thunders and hails, we can be confident that God knows the reason for the storm. What a mighty God we serve!
All things praise Thee—high and low, rain and dew and sparkling snow,
Crimson sunset, fleecy cloud, rippling stream, and tempest loud;
Summer, winter, all to Thee, glory render—Lord, may we! Amen.
From Living for Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer