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"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour" (Job 37:5,6).

It is frigid this morning (2º when I first checked) and we have several days of very cold weather ahead of us here in Pennsylvania. This follows the big snow storm from Sunday afternoon when God said to the snow, "fall on the earth".

There are not a lot of references to snow in the Bible but the Biblical writers knew snow was white! (see Psalm 51:7).

Today we will consider one of them, a part of the speech of Elihu, who spoke following the exchange between Job and his three friends. I enjoy reading Elihu's perspective, although God certainly has the final word at the end of the book. Snow and rain are reminders of God's providential ruling over all the earth. Ultimately He sends them.

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways". Let us seek to have a perspective on life in which we hear God's voice in the silent falling snow, the splattering rain, the mighty winds and even the occasional thunder and lightning that falls from the sky. Marvel at the variety of ways God speaks to us and provides for our spiritual and physical needs. Each element of nature has a divine and practical purpose.

"He does great things beyond our understanding". This is a great verse to ponder.

Other Bible versions render this phrase:

What He does in nature and in His dealings in our lives is great although it may go beyond our finite understanding, leaving questions and mystery in our minds. Sometimes what He does might make no sense at all to us. Do you suppose his great trial made sense to Job?

A common phrase we often hear or might even repeat, "It's beyond my understanding" often in regard to science, but this applies to many aspects of life as well, especially when enduring a trial. For many years I have called these experiences in life that are beyond our understanding the "mysteries of providence".

"He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth', and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour'". We may consider how snow and rain inconveniences our life, alters our schedule, damages much along its path, or even causes fatalities.

Or like Elihu, we may simply remember this plainly spoken truth, "He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'"  It's His ways and we do well to recognize He sovereignly rules over His creation. Acknowledging God's almighty power puts mankind's limited power into proper perspective. Our lives and this world are subject to His sovereign design and His eternal time table.

Today let us keep our focus on God, whose voice thunders in marvelous ways as He continues to do "great things beyond our understanding". He who works in the storm is also working in our lives this day. Often it's in the precipitous storm that He is speaking. Be sure to listen. He is in control and will have the final say!

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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