How clean and lovely the new snowfall looks. Every unsightly place now is hidden under a fresh, white blanket. The above verse is a picture of our sins which have separated us from God. It invites everyone to hear how their sins may be made “white as snow.” Many Bible verses explain this. Here is one: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
It is always snowing somewhere, and about one fourth of the world is permanently covered with snow. Glaciers and icebergs all begin as snow, which builds up and is compressed into ice by its own weight. Some of these glaciers are more than two miles thick! Snowflakes are transparent ice crystals that have formed high in the sky. Their whiteness results from light reflecting from their many facets. Each flake is a wonderful display of God’s delight in making things of beauty for His own enjoyment as well as ours. Ninety-six varieties and shapes of snowflakes have been classified, most being hexagonal (six-sided), and amazingly, no two snowflakes have been found to be identical.
We think of snow as being very cold, but to many animals and insects it is a warm blanket. Insulated under the snow and safely hidden from enemies, animals such as mice, ground squirrels and porcupines, and some birds and other small creatures make snug, warm homes. The little pika not only has comfortable rooms under the snow connected by tunnels, but he also has a runway to a nearby “barn” where he stored a good supply of food during the summer months. Many insects also keep active with hidden runways taking them to feeding grounds underneath the snow. As the snow deepens, it is also helpful to some larger animals. Deer and rabbits are able to reach twigs and buds of trees and shrubs that had been too high to reach from the ground. Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord cares for these creatures throughout the year?
One snowflake seems so small, but multiplied by millions, they provide a storehouse of water in hot summer months. This is another provision of the Creator for all life. On the other hand, too much snow can cause a disaster. The habits of every person are like this. At first the habits do not seem like serious matters, but, depending if they are good or bad and repeated over and over, they may become a real benefit or something harmful to ourselves and others.
ML-01/09/2005
JANUARY 9, 2005