For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (IS 55.10-11)
Last night I almost got hopelessly stuck when I tried to plow my van through a snow-filled alley behind my father’s house. For about 30 minutes I was mired in the snow, rocking the van back and forth, spinning my tires until they smoked, hacking and digging out around the tires, then repeating the whole process several times. Eventually I purchased some traction and slid/skidded the 30 yards to the end of the alley and onto a plowed street. Today those pesky meteorologists are predicting another major dump of snow and possibly the end of life as we know it.
I like snow between Thanksgiving and Christmas, then I’m ready for the robins to return. I don’t like cold, shoveling, salting, scraping my windshield or digging my van out of snow mountains. But you won’t hear me complain. I encourage myself with this thought: “I’ll be glad for this snow next August when it’s time for corn on the cob.”
I remember that snow accomplishes something. It waters the earth. It builds up the water table, which makes the ground “bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.” And mouthwatering corn on the cob to me.
God compares his word to rain and snow. Just as he sends them to accomplish a purpose, so does he send his word. When the rain and snow first fall, nothing seems to happen. It’s later, when the crops sprout that we see the power of the rain and snow. Same with God’s word. Often when I read it, I don’t feel it’s power. It seems hard going and dry. But it works in my life – imperceptibly and powerfully. It transforms me.
Read God’s word. Regularly. In faith. Water your soul and wait for the fruit.
photo by wmacphail
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Per Stephen's twitter post about the igloo, we have one in our back yard too–Maybe a hot chocolate tea party in the igloo–
That might bribe your girl into the igloo with the fresh snow today! (be a fun memory too)
Hey Rachel,
A hot chocolate party! That would be a blast! Next time we make an indoor tent, maybe I'll suggest that too.
"Read God’s word. Regularly. In faith. Water your soul and wait for the fruit."
At this current time in my life, I found what you said especially encouraging. Most days right now feel like I'm running a long-distance race. Body-aching, running out of breath, etc.
Thanks for your post today.
Hey Ben, Keep running! It will pay off! God is faithful and will reward you.
Hey Mark,
Great encouragement this morning! I totally agree, the snow can sometimes get on your nerves and make you wonder will spring ever get here??But as you said there is a greater purpose at hand that we will definitely apprecaite later. Trials can be the same way, we wonder if they will ever end but as with the snow and the end result being a bountiful harvest, so our trials in God's ever capable hands will bring a bountiful harvest for His glory and our ultimate good! Spring is just around the corner!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
Hi Ron,
Excellent! Yes – the same thing applies to trials. We can't see the results immediately but in the end they produce a good harvest. Thanks for sharing this! Can't wait for spring!
Mark –
What is this "snow" that you speak of? It was a frigid 42 here this AM. I may need to wear long pants today.
Suffering with you,
Tim
Hey Tim, you're breaking my heart. Hope the sun and blue skies don't hurt your eyes.