Psalm 147:8

Psalm 147:8

The creator and controller of weather

The Psalmist has moved away from the mystery of the stars and focussed his gaze on a few natural phenomena a bit closer to home. He lives in a hot country where rainfall during the summer (May to September) is unheard of, so He is probably thinking of the autumn rains as he writes this verse. Israel generally experiences mild, rainy winters (October to April) although the highlands around Jerusalem may experience snowfall and of course, the southern lands around Eilat and the Dead Sea are arid desert. The Mount Hermon range of mountains in the north are always snowclad in winter, so much so that, in modern Israel they house ski resorts! Sometimes those of us who live in variable climates forget how marvellous it is in other parts of the world when the clouds cover the sky and rain falls. The landscape changes immediately for those desolate hills start to flourish as the grass grows and the greenery reappears. 

We must never forget the provision of weather and its importance to the land and the production of crops and vegetation. All creatures depend on this and God has chosen to provide us “with every green plant for food.”  Genesis 1:29-30. Let’s never be guilty of taking all this for granted or confining our gratitude to a few sentences in a Harvest Festival Service once a year. Saying grace at mealtimes, and teaching our children to do the same, is a mark of respect and also shows that we recognise our dependence on the provision of our Creator God. Hallelujah!

 

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