Snow

As I write this article, the weather forecasters are predicting a significant snowfall in a few
days. By the time some of you read this, there may be a blanket of white across the land. So I’ve
been thinking about snow, and what it means to me personally, and to us as Christians.
I have always been a snow lover. When I was a child, some of the most exciting times I can
recall involved snow. I loved to see it snow because it meant we might get out of school! I
remember one time when we were kids the snow was falling in flakes as large as half dollars. We
were so excited to get to go outside and build a snowman or make snow angels, or have a snowball
fight. Occasionally, we would get to visit my grandparents in wintertime, and I always loved that
because there was a chance we might see snow. I remember the snows so deep at my grandparents’
house in Vinco, Pennsylvania, that the snow was deeper than I was tall!
I still love snow. As long as I am bundled up, I don’t mind clearing snow, although I have to
do more with a machine and less with a hand shovel these days. I like having a fire in the fireplace
on a snowy day. I especially like it when I don’t have to travel or be someplace else. I feel sorry
for people who never see snow.
Sometimes snow shows up in the Bible. God asked Job, “Hast thou entered the treasuries of
the snow, Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of
trouble, Against the day of battle and war,” (Job 38:22-23)? Can you imagine the “treasuries” of
snow God has stored up, and which He can make fall or not as He chooses?
Snow is a sort of purifier. I love being out on the farm during a falling or new fallen snow.
So quiet, pure and clean! The Bible says, “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow,” (Psalms 51:7). “Whiter than snow” is brilliantly white – bright
and spotless! (cf. Daniel 7:9; Matthew 28:3; Mark 9:3; Revelation 1:14). Have you noticed how
clean snow smells when it is falling? It’s like the earth is getting a cold, slow drink of purification
from God. The cleansing power of snow reminds us of the spiritual cleansing available only
through the Son of our God. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18). A good snow refreshes the land.
Solomon observed, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them
that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters,” (Proverbs 25:13).
Snow honors God. Every snowflake is different and unique, yet God knows them all. He
controls each one. “Praise Jehovah from the earth, Ye sea-monsters, and all deeps; Fire and hail,
snow and vapor; Stormy wind, fulfilling his word, (Psalms 148:7-8). When you see the snow
quickly piling up, covering field and highway, you can’t help but develop a greater respect for God.
It teaches us to fear God, to be prepared, and to live confidently in God. “[The godly woman] is
not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet,” (Proverbs
31:21).
And snow is productive, profitable. It accomplishes God’s plan. “For as the rain cometh
down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it
bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that
goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, (Isaiah 55:10-11). The farmers tell us that
a good, deep snowfall this winter will greatly help the crops next year. It’s part of God’s plan, and
it portends something better ahead. Snow is a healer, a helper and a patient encourager. In all of
its beauty and value, it makes us feel refreshed, uplifted and revitalized.
Okay, enough reminiscing and ruminating about snow. Time to get up, find the snow shovel
and get to work. By the way, that’s another good thing about snow. It’s always ready and willing
to provide some opportunities for exercise. Just be careful out there and don’t overdo it! Snow can
also be slippery and dangerous. Just try to remember what a great blessing it is, and enjoy the
snow!