Snow. I grew up in Pittsburgh. Snow is in our DNA. I remember walking to elementary school with snow up to my hips, then sitting on the heated floor in the “cloak room” to dry off before class. Hills around the city were famous for sledding. Every residential street sported at least one snowman or snow fort. Learning to drive in snow was always an adventure. Stray boots, scarves, hats, and mittens littered every home. Every winter we planned for it, lived in it, and played in it. Snow.
Evening snowfall carried a special blessing for me, a walk with my father. A million fluffy snowflakes filled the sky as I kept patient vigil at the window, waiting for him to come home from work. After dinner, we bundled up and took a walk “around the block.” We walked in silence and listened; my little hand tucked in his big hand. The only sound was our boots and snowflakes. Troubles and worries from the day were swallowed in the hush of falling snow. Silence and falling snow go together.
I recently read an article about this phenomenon. As snow falls through the heavens to earth, the snowflakes themselves absorb sound waves and silence the noise in the atmosphere. This creates a peaceful silence.
Snow is also on the mind of Father God. He likens His WORD to SNOW.
“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
– God Speaking though Isaiah
Isaiah 55:10-11 Emphasis mine
Father God sends forth His word, with a purpose. Like snow, His word brings change wherever it goes.
SILENCE
My thoughts often tumble around in my head causing torment. Doubt, despair, fear, and worry, all shout for my attention, demanding my agreement. I pray and desperately ask God to silence the noise. Petition is good but His wish is to teach me to stand and battle. When I remember to reach for His Word, READ it and TAKE it IN and BELIEVE it, relief comes like evening snow.
Snow absorbs noise and God’s Word has the power to SILENCE the voice of the tormentor. God muzzles my enemy who offers lies of despair, instead of the truth that Jesus gives me peace and will never forsake me.
Passages like Psalm 23, Psalm 91 and Psalm 121 bring peace to our souls. Passages like Roman 8 and the “I Ams” of John bring confidence and peace. There are so many passages and just like the million fluffy snowflakes, the more we fill ourselves with them, the more we can believe God’s word to silence the enemy,
For example, when I am afraid and don’t know what to do, the enemy offers the lie that God has forgotten me. I must believe Gods promises.
You are my hiding place –
You will protect me from distress.
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
God reassures me.
“I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go.
I will give counsel –
My eye is on you.”
Psalm 32:7-8 TLV
When I fear I am forever lost and can’t hear the Lord. When I fear the bottom is falling out from under me. As I read and believe the words of Jesus, the liar is silenced.
“My sheep hear My voice.
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life!
They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all.
And no one is able to snatch them, out of the Father’s hand.”
– Jesus speaking
John 10:28-29 TLV
Walking with God in His word, is just like a walk on a snowy evening. Peace.
I AM COVERED
Snow also insulates the earth. Layers of snow on plants and soil, actually create an airy insulation to trap heat. Even when the air is frigid, the snow covers the living things and keeps them warm.
Like snow, as we take in God’s Word and cover ourselves in His truth, believing it, the presence of the Holy Spirit, warms us. We stay alive in our souls even when the environment around us rages.
When I feel like the weight of the trouble I am carrying is too much, the Word of God covers me in the truth of Jesus’s words:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and ‘you will find rest for your souls’.”
Matthew 11:28-29 TLV
When the harsh battles of life tangle my heart in knots, I am covered by the truth of Jesus’s promise to me:
“I have told you these things,
So that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world.”
-Jesus speaking
John 16:33 NKJV
Just like snow, in the frigid atmosphere of this fallen world, God’s word keeps us warm and alive. When I practice believing the word of God, the Holy Spirit covers me in peace.
LIVING WATER
Snow is also necessary for the abundance of water in the earth. God says in Isaiah He sends snow to water the earth. As winter snow melts, the water fills the creeks and rivers and underground rivers and reservoirs bringing water and storing water for the following seasons.
We all walk through dry spiritual seasons in our lives. I remember times when I felt lost in a vast desert, dry and wandering, trying to find Jesus. I knew He alone could give me the living water that could quench my dry soul.
Jesus’s promise to us is “if we believe in Him” Living Water will gush from our innermost being. John 7:38
As we take in the word of God and believe the truth about Jesus, He is faithful to bring that living water. Like melting snow waters the earth, He fills the dry places in our hearts with His word. The water of His truth holds us through the dry seasons in life.
Be Assured
Whatever issue you are facing in your life, reach for God’s word and allow Him to fill you. Read it, take it in, ponder it. The promise of Isaiah 55 will be yours. Father God promises that for silence and peace, for warmth and life, for Living Water and refreshment, His Word will accomplish it and return to Him FULFILLED.
SNOW.
ARTICLES on Snow Absorbing Sound
SNOW as Insulator
Things to do in Pittsburgh in Winter
What a lovely article. Thank you.
Thank You Diana!
I’ve always loved walking in the silence of a snowfall and thinking of Isaiah 55 in reference to snow is a powerful word picture.
A wonderful article, dear sister! Makes me want to go out and jump into a snow pile! You captured the essence of snow, physically and spirirtually!
❄❄❄❄⛄⛄⛄⛄
Yes I remember many flying snowballs ad snow angels!!! JOY!
Amen! The lovely power of snow! God’s cleansing!
I love snow! Thanks for these images
God Bless you Lisa!