If you hadn’t already heard, Punxsutawney Phil has “predicted” an early spring this year. The famed groundhog emerged in Pennsylvania and failed to see his shadow. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a bit more circumspect, claiming that Phil is correct less than 50% of the time. Oh well.
Spring will be a welcome change for those along the East Coast. After last week’s snow storm pounded the Eastern U.S., a new storm system has spread out across the middle of the country moving their direction. Spanning from New Mexico to Michigan, the storm is bringing mostly rain and thunderstorms, but will develop snow farther north, including in Northern New England, which has already had more than two feet of snow.
Severe weather is a reminder that even our most modern cities can be brought to a standstill. Despite our amazing technologies and daily conveniences, storms like this can remind us that we still depend on God for shelter and protection. It’s an easy thing for us to forget as we go about our daily routines, so inconvenient weather offers a good time to remember God’s great mercy.
God reminded Job of this when he finally decided to respond to Job’s pleas and requests. Job had pleaded with God to help him understand his own suffering. God responded by reminding Job of details he’d overlooked. Details like . . . the weather.
Job 38:22-30
Have you ever traveled to where snow is made,
seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,
The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness
for times of trouble and battle and war?
Can you find your way to where lightning is launched,
or to the place from which the wind blows?
Who do you suppose carves canyons
for the downpours of rain, and charts
the route of thunderstorms
That bring water to unvisited fields,
deserts no one ever lays eyes on,
Drenching the useless wastelands
so they’re carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,
the mother of ice and frost?
You don’t for a minute imagine
these marvels of weather just happen, do you?