The Weatherman Is Always Right!

My father-in-law said many times, “The weatherman is always right.” Then he would point out, if he or she says, “There’s a 50% chance of rain” or an “80% chance of snow” or “It’s going to be partly sunny,” whether or not it rained or snowed or was cloudy or sunny, they were right! After all, the weatherman/woman rarely gives a 100% definitive forecast.  And why is that? Is it because they are not good at what they do? Is it because they are trying to dupe their audience? Is it because they are trying to keep themselves in business?  

I think we all intuitively know why forecasting the weather is so difficult: its unpredictability and our lack of control. Mother nature seems to have a mind of her own and no weatherman or woman is going to control her! We can watch for patterns and see the movement of air currents and such, but there is very little any person can do to control exactly how it will all shape up in the end.

On the other hand, there is One who is able to control the weather. Not that God intervenes in every act of nature or is the cause of every movement of nature. After all, we don’t want to see God as the direct cause of every hurricane, tornado, or blizzard that comes our way. Yet the Bible shows, God can and does at times intervene in the weather. In fact, he is the only one who can And in fact, throughout the scriptures, we read of God using the weather to carry out his purposes.

The Psalmist wrote, “The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth, he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.”  (Psalm 135:6-7 – NIV)  

All of this makes me think of Jesus out on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples in the midst of a life-threatening storm. While the disciples felt completely helpless—for, there was nothing they could do to stop the storm—Mark writes, “(Jesus) got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39 – NIV)  In response, the disciples said among themselves, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him?” (vs. 41)  They knew that only God could control the weather! 

Most importantly, however, we ought not miss Jesus’ question to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (vs. 40) It was a challenge to them, and to us, that no matter what happens with the weather—no matter what happens within our world or within our lives—to trust him, the One who has control over all things.  After all, if he can speak to the wind and the waves and have them obey, surely he can speak to whatever situation you and I may face and bring peace.  

So, let’s trust Jesus today with every situation and in the midst of every storm that may come our way.  

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris 

P.S. – Stay safe and warm in the midst of the blizzard that seems to be coming to the Jersey Shore…at least that’s what the weatherman says!