CHILDREN'S ENJOYMENT OF THE SNOW

The deep snowfalls of the early days of the year may by now be almost forgotten. The fact, however, that God in ancient time asked Job if he had "entered into the storehouses of the snow" shows that there are treasures of divine wisdom to be gained by thinking more about this wonder of creation. It is said that no two snowflakes are exactly alike although they all have a common pattern. This is also true in respect of believers on the Lord Jesus. Each one of us is distinct from another yet all have some features of Christ by God's work in our souls and spirits - which we often speak of as "new creation". It will certainly require eternity to explore this storehouse!

In Bible lands there were probably few falls of snow for the frolics of childhood, but the mountains of Lebanon were always snow-capped, hence their name which means 'white'. Perhaps in times when snowcold weather did come to Palestine it caused anxiety because only light clothing was generally worn. The "woman of worth" of the Proverbs clad her children in "scarlet" at such times. The word may mean 'dyed wool' or 'double clothing' and typifies the way in which Christian parents give special protection to their children in times of danger to the well-being of their souls.

Something about the snow that will occur to every reader is God's readiness in love to reason with His needy creatures about their sins. Scarlet is a bright red and our sins have stood out vividly against us before a just and holy God. Yet by the atoning work of His Son they are made snow-white, just as a fall of snow would cover a scarlet garment. Crimson is a deep red. The reference to wool in the verse in Isaiah refers to the fact that this dye so commonly used could never be removed and the wool cleansed as before. But what we never could do God has righteously done in relation to our sins through the shed blood of Jesus.

You would no doubt have been interested in tracing the tracks of birds and animals in the snow. Think therefore for a moment of the day when a man named Benaiah slew a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. His tracks downwards would be seen, as also those of the lion, but upwards there would be only the tracks of the mighty victor! No doubt this feat meant salvation to many persons in fear and danger. How this endears to us the One who has met the enemy's power by going into death and rising again victorious! Do you know Him as a risen and living Saviour?

J.C.Evershed