I enjoyed a snow day on Sunday, January 16th.
Living in South Carolina snow is a rare treat for this Midwesterner.
Because snow days are so rare in this area our city shuts down except for emergency workers and those dealing with any power outages that occur.
Thankfully, my household never lost power. We were able to enjoy watching the snow fall from the safety of our warm home.
I chose to not work on a post yesterday because I wanted to cherish the snow day.
Today, as the winter storm has finished dusting the earth with this fascinating white frozen water and the sun is starting to melt it away, I decided to share with you some favorite references to snow from scripture.
In Job, the Lord directs where snow is kept and when it is to fall:
ESV Job 37:6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
ESV Job 38:22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
In Psalms snow represents purity, blessing, and the fulfilling of the Lord’s word:
ESV Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
ESV Psalm 147:16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
ESV Psalm 148:8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
In Proverbs snow can be refreshing and prepared for:
ESV Proverbs 25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
ESV Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Again, in Isaiah, snow represents purity, specifically a cleansing from sin:
ESV Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
ESV Isaiah 55:10 “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,
ESV Lamentations 4:7 Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than coral, the beauty of their form was like sapphire.
Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation all use snow to describe the appearance of our Lord, emphasizing His holiness:
ESV Daniel 7:9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.
ESV Matthew 28:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
ESV Revelation 1:14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
There is a dangerous and unpleasant side to snow as well where scripture compares leprosy to snow or the power of sin to make one stained in Lord’s presence.
Overall, though when I see snow, I become giddy with delight.
Yesterday, as I watched the occasionally imperceptible snow fall to moments when the flakes were big and fluffy, I found myself thankful for the beauty the Lord surprised us with.
I also found myself praying for those who are homeless in my area and the emergency workers that were still on duty navigating the treacherous roads.
My husband had filled our bird feeders which allowed us to also enjoy the squirrels and birds feeding heartily even during the heaviest snowfall.
Today as the sun shines over the snow, the squirrels still scramble up the hanger to jump on the feeder while the birds either flit around from limb to feeder or bounce along the top of the melting snow, I smile again with thankfulness and praise for our Lord who sent this blessing of a deep freeze to rebuild our water tables and refresh our tired souls.
Reflection questions:
- What good memories come to your mind when watching it snow?
- How would you use the image of snow to describe our Heavenly Father?
- Once the snow has melted, how will you care for those who are in need?
Prayers:
May your view of the snow, if you live where you experience snow, move you first to gratitude to the Lord for His cleansing and refreshing of our souls.
May the snow also prompt you to pray for those who are in precarious situations during the snowstorms of life that they will find shelter. Literal shelter as well as shelter in the Lord for eternity.
Once the snow day or days pass, may we all find ways to share our blessings, physical and spiritual, with those who are in need.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn