The Snow

Job 1:21-22 – "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (NIV)

The snow continued to fall gently, mounting higher and higher, causing the earth to appear unsullied, freshly created. As its abundance grew, the winter sport enthusiasts busied themselves hauling out snow machines, snowshoes, cross-country skis, parkas, toques, boots, and mitts in preparation for a winter of fun-filled enjoyment. Within a few days, however, a warm spell descended, and their hopes and dreams had melted away.

The melting away of earthly treasures can be very similar to the melting away of snow. One moment, we can be enjoying a fine home, a great job, a wonderful family, good health, and money in the bank, and then, it's suddenly gone. The economy takes a downturn, the firm cuts back, the marriage dissolves, loved ones die, a hidden ailment surfaces, the cash flow dwindles, then trickles to a halt. And when these things happen, what is our response? Do we sin and charge God with what we believe is wrongdoing toward us, or, like Job, do we progress through a period of grief with all its confusion, denial, emptiness, and tears, yet in the end still praise the name of the Lord?

Yes, snow comes and snow goes, and so do the treasures of this life. Yet amidst the mounting up and the melting down of our life's experiences, may we always choose to remember this:

Hebrews 13:5,8 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)

Let us not sin against Him by charging Him with wrongdoing but continue to place our confidence and hope in the Lord.

Isaiah 40:28b,29,31 – The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

Prayer: Father God, strengthen our faith day by day so that we may always be able, like Job, to utter with all sincerity, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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