SOAP 12/18/2015; Psalm 147:16-18

Today's reading: John 2, 3, 4*

S) "¹⁶ He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes.
¹⁷ He casts forth His ice as fragments;
Who can stand before His cold?
¹⁸ He sends forth His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow."

Psalm 147:16-18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 147

O) This is all about the balance and provision of God. This is not a scientific breakdown of precipitation cycle, or seasons changing. The psalmist is reminding us of God's sovereignty, because no one can stop a winter storm. At the same time, even the Ice Age had an end to it because, as this psalm reveals, God has a plan for His creation. In the poetry of this time period, it's also worth noting that there was no artificial way to create ice and snow. That is not to say that mankind is closing the gap on God's omnipotence, though. There is no real measure of His greatness, we can only find new analogies to explain how much greater He is than us.

A) Like many passages about God's nature, these verses serve to humble me, and to help me see my place in creation more clearly. In view of the raw power exhibited in nature, I am completely impotent. All of mankind is. For millennia, mankind has strived to bend nature to our will, and in the grand scope of things, we haven't really changed what happens on this planet (at least, not for the better). So, I must acknowledge my place, as I also acknowledge God's place, in the creation around me.
It also wouldn't hurt to pray for a white Christmas, since it's only a week away.

P) Father, Your greatness is beyond compare. The vastness of Your magnitude can't really be understood. I can only find examples to show vast differences between my realm of influence and Yours. I can make ice cubes in my freezer, You can freeze cities. I can defrost chicken in a microwave, You can melt glaciers. God, this is all reminding me how small I am, and how much more amazing I see Your grace to be. In all of Your greatness, You still care for me. Thank You, Father. Also, because I know that You are sovereign, I trust in Your will. I also know You can give me the desires of my heart, and like a kid approaching Christmas day, I would enjoy a white one. So, if it's Your will, please give us snow this Christmas, Lord. Either way, help us to keep our focus on the reason for this season. Be glorified. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.