It is winter. The meteorology forecasts are for heavy snow. Why is there snow we ask?

Jesus Christ recorded His reasons in the book of Job. The book of Job is one of the wisdom books; considered to be one of the oldest books of the Bible, although both the penman and the date of writing is unknown.

Job 37: ⁵God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

⁶For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

⁷He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

⁸Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

⁹Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

¹⁰By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

¹¹Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

¹²And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

¹³He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

Certainly we understand the need of the land to rest in winter; the cycles of planting, growing, harvesting then resting.

Certainly we can understand the need of human beings for mercy.

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).

What do we understand of the need for correction?

John 17:¹These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

²As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

³And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Questions for Reflection

What do these verses mean to you?

What do you know about animals hibernating in winter?

What do you know about the planting and harvesting cycles?

Great is Thy faithfulness – Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; as Thou hast been thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed Thy hand hath provided; great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will        accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti