TREASURES OF THE SNOW

In November 2014 there was a new Guinness World Record for the longest speech; not surprisingly, it was a sermon. Pastor Zach Zehnder of Mount Dora, Florida preached for two days, five hours, and eighteen minutes. Taking only rare bathroom breaks and with at least 10 people present at all times during the sermon, the pastor preached from Genesis through Revelation. He surpassed the record after two days, but he didn’t quit. He needed another five hours to finish the message.

While sermons don’t have to be long to be effective, they do have to be Bible-based to change lives.

Treasures of the Snow

Job 38:22

Much is taken from Rod Mattoon’s book entitled “Treasures from Job-volume two”

In the 38th chapter of Job, we find the Lord’s response to what Job has been saying throughout the entire book. The response, however, did not address Job’s suffering or offer any comfort. Instead, God directed His focus upon His creation, authority, and power. The Lord put Job in his place by asking a number of questions about His creative work which Job would be unable and unqualified to answer with a knowledgeable response. They were questions that only God could answer. They included:

* Questions about the Start of Creation

* Questions about the Sea

* Questions about the Sun

* In this message, we will focus about God’s Question about the Snow

The Lord asked, “Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?” This word “treasures” is from the Hebrew word ′owtsar {o-tsaw′} which not only means “treasures, but also storehouse or armory.” God was asking Job if he had entered the place where snow was formed in the clouds. Of course, the answer is “No.” The phrase “treasures of snow,” however, caught my attention. Why is snow a treasure?

Someone wrote an article entitled, “All I Need to Know about Life I Learned From a Snowman.…” Here is what it said.

—It’s okay if you’re a little bottom heavy.

—Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.

—Wearing white is always appropriate.

—It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.

—There’s nothing better than a foul weather friend.

—You know you’ve made it when they write a song about you.

—Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize!

—Don’t get too much sun.

—It’s fun to hang out in your front yard.

The attributes of snow and the lessons that it teaches make it a treasure. Let’s consider some of them.

I. It is a Treasure Because of its Purity

Snow is mentioned 24 times in the Bible. Because of its purity, it has been used to describe the work of God in cleansing us from sin.

* Psalm 51:7—Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

* Isaiah 1:18—Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

It is interesting to note that snow has a purifying effect on the environment. It is like a filter that removes impurities in the air. Twelve million tons of dust, grit, and cinders are released into the atmosphere above the United States each year. Snow forms around these impurities in the air and brings them to the ground, coating the plants and soil. This process is called “wash out” or “snow out.” Snow is a treasure because of its purity.

How many times have we seen an ordinary, desolate, rugged landscape transformed into a winter wonderland of beauty by the snow that glistens in the light of sun or shines in the light of the moon? It is absolutely beautiful. The filthiest place can look clean when blanketed by snow. That is God’s message to us.

Snow is the Lord’s object lesson to what He does with our sins when we seek His forgiveness and cleansing. At the core or heart of each snowflake is some kind of impurity. Our hearts are sinful too, but because of Christ, we can become white as snow. Your sinful past can be cleansed and forgiven if you will put your faith in Jesus Christ.

* 1 John 1:7—But 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 1:9—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

* John 1:29—The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

* Ephesians 1:7—In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

* Hebrews 9:14—How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want You forever to live in my soul;

Break down ev’ry idol, cast out ev’ry foe—

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow—

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

II. It is a Treasure Because of Its Productivity

* Proverbs 25:13—As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Snow not only cleanses the air, but it strengthens the soil and a person, enabling them to become more productive or fruitful. Refreshing water that quenches thirst or irrigates crops comes from melted snow. Forty percent of the Northern hemisphere is covered in snow. Fresh snow falls on 1 out of every 4 square miles of dry land each year. One third of the world’s water used for irrigation comes from snow.

In the western states of the United States, about 75 % of the water used for irrigation comes from snow that has melted from mountain ranges. Rivers such as the Missouri, the Colorado, the Rio Grande, or the Columbia are fed by mountain streams.

It is estimated that melted snow produces 26 trillion gallons of water alone each year in the Columbia River. That’s enough water to cover the state of Kansas in knee-deep water or to raise the level of Lake Michigan by six feet.

Snow is productive because it absorbs ammonia from the air and prevents the escape of nitrogen from the soil. It also contains nitric acid. With the rays of the sun, this helps to fertilize the soil, enabling crops to flourish.

As snow is productive, God wants us to be productive, too. We are to be a faithful messenger of His Word. We are to be spiritually fruitful in our personal spiritual growth and in reaching others for the Lord.

* John 15:16—Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

III. It is a Treasure Because of Its Differences and Purpose

* 1 Corinthians 4:7a—For who maketh thee to differ from another?.…

* 1 Corinthians 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Every single snow flake is different from another. Not one flake is like another. They are all unique and special demonstrating the creativity of our Lord. In the same manner, you are unique. No one is like you out of the eight billion people that live on this planet. God has a special plan and purpose just for you. That’s right, just for you. He has made you a certain way with certain traits and abilities. Your responsibility is to know God’s will for your life and do it.

No matter how dire, difficult, or distressful your situation may be, God has something for you to do wherever you are located. You may have limitations on your life that may prevent you from doing things you desire to do for the Lord. You can, however, make the best of what you have and you can still make your life count for the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what mistakes you have made, you CAN go forward for Christ.

* Psalm 25:4—Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

* Psalm 143:10—Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Job struggled with the fact that he was suffering more than other people, but Job was not like other people. He was unique for sure. What he needed to learn was that his suffering was part of God’s specific plan for his life. God’s will for Job was different from anyone else. His will for you is different, too.

* Ephesians 5:17—Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

God has a purpose for snow.

* Psalm 148:8—Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

* Isaiah 55:10–11.… For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

God’s used the snow to illustrate the importance of having a purpose. In Isaiah, He used it to illustrate the purpose and power of His Word.

Snow is a treasure …

* Because of its Purity

* Because of its Productivity

* Because of its Peculiarity and Purpose

* Next … Because of its Preaching

IV. It is a Treasure Because of Its Preaching

Snow has a message for us that we can apply in our own lives if we will consider what it teaches. Let me give you five lessons.

1. It Speaks of Purity

We mentioned this earlier. There is great beauty in a fresh fallen snow and there is great beauty in living a holy life. God enables us to live a godly life by cleansing us of our sins and making us white as snow.

* Psalm 29:2—Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

2. It Speaks of Brevity

Snow falls but has a tendency to melt in a short period of time. It reminds us of the brevity of our own lives. We are here and then gone. God reminded us of this truth a number of times in the Bible.

* James 4:14—Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

* Job 7:6—My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

* Job 14:1–2 … Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. [2] He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

* Psalm 39:5—Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

* Psalm 89:47a—Remember how short my time is …

* Psalm 102:3—For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

* 1 Peter 1:24—For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Steve Jobs, who was the co-founder of Apple and Pixar made a very profound statement about the brevity of life in a commencement address at Stanford University in June, 2005. He said, “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

Steve did die not long after this statement. His life ended on October 5, 2011. I have no clue if he was a Christian, but his statement is worth remembering and applying in our own lives. May we learn to have the right priorities in life and see the importance of living our lives for Jesus Christ.

* Matthew 6:33—But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

C. T. Studd amply illustrated the importance of making your one life count for the Lord when he penned these powerful words.

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

3. It Speaks of the Powerful Change in our Lives

Snow melts from a solid form to a liquid form. It is changed by the sun. We too, are changed by the Son of God. Not only does the Lord make us new creatures in Christ, but one day, our bodies will be changed into a glorified body.

* 2 Corinthians 5:17—Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

* 1 Corinthians 15:51–52.… Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

4. It Speaks of the Product of Our Decisions

When the snow falls and blankets the ground, everything is covered and some things that used to be seen are now concealed. If you decide to take a hike in field of fresh-fallen snow, you are going to have to make your own choices about which way you are going to travel. You are going to be responsible for the path that you take. That is the way life is for us every day. Beloved, you are choosing your path and you will be responsible for your decisions, whether they are good or bad. God urges us to make the right choices by serving the Lord.

* Joshua 24:15—And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

5. It Speaks about the Path we Have Blazed for Others

When we walk through fresh-fallen snow, we leave our footprints behind that others may follow. Some will walk in our own steps because of the depth of the snow. In the same manner, the life we live is an example to someone else. Some will reject our way of living and others will follow the trail we have blazed, especially our children and grandchildren.

If you live a carnal, worldly life, don’t be surprised if your kids live the same way. If you are devoted to the Lord, there is a greater chance your family will follow your example. Not all will do this, but some will. God help us to be wise in the way we walk, and where we walk. May we leave behind a great legacy for Jesus Christ.

* 2 Corinthians 3:2—Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

Edgar Guest stressed the importance of your life message in a poem he wrote.

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day:

I’d rather one should walk with me, than merely show the way;

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.

And best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;

I can see your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very fine and true;

But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do;

For I may not understand you and the high advice you give,

But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

6. It Speaks about the Pondering of our Past

When you walk through the snow, you can see where you have been. You can see the path that you have trod. Someday, especially as you get older, whether you like it or not, you are going to look back at your life, where you have been, what you have done for the Lord and what you have neglected. You will ponder your victories and also your defeats and failures. You will recall those who tried to help you and warned of sin’s destruction. You will recall your sin and stupidity, but hopefully you will recall God’s grace and His aid in helping you to go forward for Jesus Christ. This is what Paul did before he was executed. His faithfulness to the Lord prepared him for his death. He was ready to meet the Lord. Are you?

* 2 Timothy 4:6–8 … For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

As you look at your past, what do you see? Are there matters that need to be made right with the Lord or others? If so, then get them settled today. If you need to put your faith in Christ for your salvation, then do it right now. May the treasures of the snow spur you to make your life count for the Lord and not waste it or throw it away.

V. It is a Treasure Because of Its Power

Snow has immense power, especially when it falls in great quantities. It can shut down entire cities or wipe out a town by a mammoth avalanche. God said, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail.”

The word “treasures” can also be translated “armory.” God has used things like snow and hail throughout history as a weapon to defeat or chasten those who are evil or to see His will fulfilled. The Lord used hail to defeat the Amorites

* Joshua 10:11—And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

The Lord used hail stones to punish Egypt.

* Psalm 78:47–48 … He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost. [48] He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

Snow was a big factor in preventing the downfall of Russia when it was invaded by Nazi Germany in WW 2. In the summer of 1941, Hitler’s “blitzkrieg” forces had planned to take over Russia within five months or prior to the onset of the winter season. As the German offensive, with over three million men, encountered the earliest and coldest winter in 50 years, the German armies and vehicles were literally frozen in their tracks. The momentum was lost and Hitler was never able to successfully achieve victory on the eastern front. Many German soldiers froze to death or became extremely sick because they were not properly clothed for battle in the winter months.

Whether it is snow, hailstones, or any other kind of weather, God can use the elements to defeat or protect people from evil.

Beloved, God does as He wishes with the elements because He is God. Snow, hail, rain, wind, and thunder all remind us of the power of Almighty God.

You may be facing a very dangerous or difficult situation in your life right now. Realize that God has a way of sending His “divine wind” into your life at the right time to turn the tide, to change the situation and bring deliverance to you.

Never underestimate what the Lord can do for you. Learn to rest in Him and His care of your life.

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