I live in Indiana. Northern Indiana. I live in the sweet spot of northern Indiana, where we’re just below the lake effect snow, but north enough to enjoy a true winter. That being said, even this weather is crazy! I sit and watch the weather forecast with disbelief. Less than a week ago it was -15° F as the actual temperature. When I looked out my window I saw a frozen landscape – and a postal truck stuck next to the mailboxes (don’t worry; a neighbor and I helped set it free). Today it is in the mid-50’s! The snow and ice is melting away and people are escaping their houses. What is even more unbelievable is that I read this very forecast in my Bible this morning!

This is not an end-times piece. This is actually a really touching reminder of how much God cares for us.

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Psalm 147:16-18

Hang with me for a minute, because if you read just that portion of Psalm 147 you may not feel very cared for. However, it is impressive that both extreme weather patterns written about in those verses happened within one week here in Indiana! That’s what caught my eye. I spent some more time reflecting on the whole of the Psalm 147 because of that.

There are several examples of God’s sovereignty over nature throughout the Psalm:

• He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name.
• He covers the sky with clouds.
• He supplies the earth with rain.
• He makes the grasses grow on the hills.
• He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

God is giving us perspective to make a point. He is reminding us that he has power over the things we cannot even imagine we could control. He is reminding us that he can.

What?

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

Why?

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147:10-11

In other words, it’s not about our abilities nor our achievements. I believe God gifts those to us, but his delight is because we choose to put our hope in him. Everything else in this Psalm is a tremendous reassurance that we do not hope in vain!

So look out your window. Instead of thinking that the weather man is playing mind tricks with you, remember that God is using creation to testify that he can control what we cannot, and he can be trusted to do in us what seems impossible.

God loves you, and he proves it in the details!

Thanks for reading!  This is just one of my ways of putting a smile back in the world!