Let it Snow

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:9-11

“Oh the weather outside is….” No wait, stop - that Christmas song is not the inspiration for this week’s devotion. For the first 51 years of my life I lived in a place where snow was possible but was a very rare occurrence. Now, I live in a place where dealing with snow will be common place in the winter and so it is this change of climate that drove me to see if the word snow appears in the Bible and it does! Sometimes it has a negative connotation and sometimes like in this week’s passage with a positive one. 

This amazing God we serve created a place where everything has a purpose. Rain and snow bring the moisture needed to fill streams and rivers, to water the earth so that things will grow. In some parts of our world, rain and snow can turn a barren desert into a vibrant and flourishing oasis. In this week’s passage Isaiah speaking the words God had given him, is trying to convey God’s hard to comprehend, purposeful nature by using the nature He created to make the point. The people understood the purpose of rain and snow - in plenty the crops would be plentiful, livestock would have grass and water and the people would have food. Without it crops would fail, livestock would die and the people would starve. 

Isaiah then explains that God’s very words were like rain and snow, they have power and purpose. His words can bring destruction or life. His words can restore our souls to better than new condition. His words can satisfy our every hunger and our greatest thirst. His words regularly draw men and women back into a right relationship with this amazing, purposeful God. But only rarely - like snow where I used to live - does God speak directly and audibly to us, instead part of his purpose for us is to share His words with the world around us, to bring living water to a thirsty world and sacred bread to those who are starving. 

So, let the words Jesus has given you fall like snow on the hearts of those around you, and watch new life emerge and grow.  

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for finding ways to speak to us that allow us to get a glimpse of how amazing you are and how purposeful Your nature is. Help us to boldly share the life giving words You have shared with us. May we feel the salve of Your words on our wounds and may we rejoice with You every day. Let Your words fall like snow on hearts so they can flourish with Your love. In the name of Jesus, Amen.