Purposed Grace

Dear Faith Family,   

"He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?"
(Psalm 147:16-17)

I hope you have enjoyed your snow week! Seriously, I hope this forced stop, this out-of-our-control slow down, has afforded your soul the joy of submitting to something greater than you. After all, as the psalmist says, "who can stand before his cold?"

Interestingly, Psalm 147 is all about God's providential grace amid the seemingly uncontrollable and unfortunate circumstances in the life of His people. God, the maker of the universe, is the champion of those beaten down by life (v. 1-6) who sustains our daily experience of life with unchanging love (v. 7-11), and through His active word, embedded in the world of His people, brings life into peace (shalom, wholeness) through the inevitable seasons: 

"Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 
For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. 
He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. 
He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. 
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. 
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? 
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. 
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and just decrees to Israel. 
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his just decrees. Praise the LORD!" 
(Psalm 147:12-20)

Weeks like this, when we are acutely aware of what little is in our control, are reminders of Who is, and how. They give us the opportunity to experience the joy and fruit of submitting to the Word deeply rooted in our daily lives, just as our Kingdom Ephanies have revealed. 

So, enjoy the weather, my friends. It is a purposed grace!

Love you faith family. God bless.