THE COOL OF THE FALL

In the past few days we have seen a slight change in the weather. The temperatures have dropped some and, while we have been in autumn for a little over a month, we can now see some evidence of the changing seasons. We are constantly hearing dire warnings about global warming. I am not a scientist, nor an expert on ecology and the weather, so I am not qualified to answer the many arguments given. However, I do know there are many scientists and others who are not convinced of the accuracy of these claims. They say the earth is constantly going through cycles of heating and cooling. Some point back to the 1970’s when there were some warnings of an impending ice age. In all of this debate, there is one thing of which I am certain. Some global warming proponents say the time is coming when there will not be a change in seasons. I know this is not true. Following the flood, God says to Noah, “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). The change in seasons will continue as long as the earth continues. There are some things of which the seasonal change reminds us.

God is in control. “Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:12). I do believe we should be good stewards of all things with which God has entrusted us. This would certainly include the responsibility of taking care of the earth. I also believe, generally speaking, we have done a poor job. However, that does not mean man will destroy the earth. In 2 Peter 3, Peter writes about the destruction of the world by fire. He makes it clear, as do other passages of Scripture, that it will be God, not man, in charge.

God has a plan. We can see the planning and orderliness in the seasons. While there are exceptions, we can plan for a certain type of weather depending on the seasons. I remember a song by the Statler Brothers from several years ago. The main idea behind the song was the unlikely chance that a damaged relationship could be restored. One line says “When the 4th of July parade is called because it snows,” I’ll be coming back to you. A statement like this can be made because there is a pattern, a plan, and God is the one who set it in place. “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27).

A time of rest. Winter is generally a dormant time for the earth. There are not as many crops planted, it is a time of rest and replenishment. The Sabbath Day under the Law of Moses was a holy day to the Lord, a day of worship, but also a day to refrain from work. There was a time when Sunday was viewed as such a day. I am not saying Sunday is the Christian Sabbath. There is nothing in Scripture supporting such a view. I am simply saying there was a time in this country when Sunday was viewed as a day of worship and rest. That is not the case anymore. However, there is still a rest for God’s faithful. “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
--Lamar