Feb 2 - Groundhog Day

February 2

Ground Hog's Don't Complain 

 

Ps 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,

which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Today is Groundhog Day in the USA.  Will he see his shadow and scurry back into his burrow? Will that mean 6 more weeks of winter.  It seems ironic that in our modern world of warm cozy homes, heated carriages to ride in (cars),  and fewer farmers we are more and more concerned about the weather.

Several years ago, while waiting for people to arrive for prayer meeting, the conversation turned to weather. It had been “bad” sort of like this winter (2013-14) has been. The complaints about the weather continued until time for us to pray and thank God for His merciful blessings. It started me thinking. Where does our weather come from? 

Really man’s a fool.

When it’s hot he wants it cool

When it’s cool he wants it hot.
He always wants it what it’s not!

Does God send good weather?

Does Satan send bad weather?
What is good weather?
What is bad weather?

That is an easy question. Snow storms are bad…if you have to drive on slippery roads.  But if you own a ski resort or love to snow mobile or ski then snow is good weather. It depends.  The people planning a Sunday school picnic and the farmer raising corn have different views about rain. I knew a man who commuted 90 miles to work and drove into the sun in the morning and again when he returned home. He loved cloudy days. 

     The Bible mentions weather often. Who sends it?  Does God make it rain?

Ps 147:8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,       

Rain is mentioned often. Sometimes when it is sent and sometimes when it is withheld. OK. God sends rain but what about thunderstorms?

Jer 10:13 …he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Yep, sounds like a thunderstorm.  Does God frost your windshield and put snow in your driveway?

Ps 147:16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

Freezing rain is very destructive. Ice covered roads have got to be the devils work.

     Ps 147:17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

Psalm 147  says we should sing unto the LORD with Thanksgiving. It then lists list why and it includes his sending snow and ice and cold.  Brrrrrrrr! Oops..I meant to say "Selah"!

If you raise a garden you know about frost. Would God really send frost on your tomatoes?

Job 37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: …

But what about the stormy sea when they had to awaken Christ as he slept?  Did the devil send that storm to kill Christ?

Mr 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

This verse indicates that Christ can still stormy seas. But who sent the storm?

Ps 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Ex 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

It sounds like God sends storms but I wish there was a verse that just said that.

Jon 1:4 ¶ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

Yes, I guess there is a verse or two that says God creates storms that are so bad they nearly break a ship apart.  OK, but does Satan also have that power? Wasn’t it Satan who sent the storm we mentioned in Mark 34:6 when they had to waken Christ and he stilled the storm?  Was Satan trying to kill Christ in that storm?  In psalms 107:21 We find a description that sounds very similar to the storm in Mark 4:39.

Ps 107:23 ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.  25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.  26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 

But that still does not answer the question. Does Satan have control over any part of the weather, even in a limited way? I don’t know. I do know that the devil cannot do anything that God does not want done. 

          What lessons should we take away from today’s devotional?  I can think of four.

1.    Stop complaining about the weather. “I sent you some weather!" – "Yeah I know! But listen God, I hate the weather you sent me. “  

2.    Stop telling God how to do things.  “Dear Lord send rain on Friday for the lawn, sunny on Saturday for the church ballgame and cool on Sunday because church is not air conditioned.”

3.    Develop an obedient spirit which accepts,- no,- which prefers what God sends our way.

4.    Let walk = talk.  Out of the same mouth we bless God (Praise God from whom all blessings flow) and curse  the weather. (it’s just too danged cold!!)

Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.