4th. January. 2021. Daily Devotion.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow. Psalm 147:16-18
Some reflections on the recent snow by Ann Brock
Snowflakes are often shown as a pictogram for the approaching Christmas season, which may include a scene showing a white Christmas. Oftentimes cards will show snowflakes drifting downward with a horse pulling a sleigh galloping along a snow path to a home pictured in the distance with smoke coming out of the chimney.
Snowflakes are unique and are detailed in their structure. There is a popular expression that “no two are alike.” In the 1965 TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Linus sticks out his tongue to catch a snowflake, then he chews it, and he states: “Mmmm . . . needs sugar.”
Snowflakes are one of many of God’s created masterpieces. Helen Steiner Rice wrote a poem about snowflakes titled The Mystery and Miracle of His Creative Hand: “In the beauty of a snowflake . . . falling softly on the land . . . Is the mystery and miracle of God’s great, creative hand. What better answers are there . . . to prove His holy being . . . Than the wonders all around us that are ours just for the seeing?”
Amazingly the word “snow” is in the Bible and it is often used to describe the colour of white. For example, in the Book of Mark, when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, His clothing was described as: “his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow . . ..” Another example is in the Book of Revelation when John described the head and hair of the “Son of Man”: “white like wool, as white as snow.”
Like the snowflakes and the sparkling snow, God’s people are also His masterpieces. Each person is special, and each person is created in God’s likeness to reflect His glory. They sparkle and reflect His glory by becoming more patient, kind, and loving towards others, the same as God demonstrates to them.
As you begin to think about the approaching activities of the Christmas season, you will need to bundle up in your warm clothes in order to endure the winter snow. However, be warmed in your heart by God’s patience, kindness, and love. When outside your window the snowflakes begin to tumble downward from the sky and blanket the earth, and they give the appearance of “wool,” recall that they were made by “God’s creative hand,” that same creative hand that created you.
It could possibly be debatable whether snowflakes “need sugar.” But one thing that is not debatable is that each snowflake is remarkable, just like you!
For the Spirit of Prayer
Almighty God, you pour out the spirit of grace and of supplication to all who ask for it; Deliver me, when I draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, so that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, I may worship You in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Forgiveness
Almighty God, who does freely pardon all who repent and turn to Him, I confess that I have sinned against your Holy Word. I pray that you will now fulfil in me and in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all our sins and cleansing us from an evil conscience; through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
For Those Who Suffer
God of time and of eternity, in your hands you hold the souls of the righteous, and in your heart, there is room for all people; shine forth upon all who are tried in the furnace of suffering and illness, and especially on those for whom I pray today; in your grace and mercy may we know that you watch over us; bring us at the last to abide with you in love; I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
