3rd - 9th February 2025
Across the island we've all experienced the mighty power of the weather over the last couple of weeks. The storms have reminded us of our smallness and vulnerability through their effects on the natural world as well as our homes, schools, businesses and church buildings.
Our recent storms have turned my thoughts to the imagery of weather in scripture and how this permeates the Bible, serving as a powerful tool to convey profound spiritual truths and illustrate the complex relationship between God, humanity and the natural world.
More than mere meteorological descriptions, these images have symbolic weight, often representing divine power, judgement, mercy and the tumultuous nature of human experience. From the gentle dew nourishing the land to the devastating force of a tempest, weather phenomena are woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and poetry, enriching its meaning and emotional impact. In both the Old and New Testament, the Bible uses images we are familiar with to illustrate its truth.
This week, let's look more closely at some of the biblical passages featuring weather imagery and ask God by his Spirit to use these pictures to teach us afresh.
Written by Caroline Rea
MONDAY
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
Psalm 147:7-9 NIV
God, we worship you today because of your unfailing provision to us through your creation. We praise you because you continue to be involved in your world, supplying us with what we need through the intricate systems of weather, the growth of plants and livestock. We do not take these things for granted. We thank you for nurturing life and supplying our daily needs. Amen.
TUESDAY
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:23-27 NIV
Jesus, thank you for the reminder of this storm thousands of years ago where you saw the fear and dread of your followers and demonstrated your power over the created world. We understand their fear when we are caught up in our own storms of life. We echo the disciples’ words, "Lord save us! We're going to drown!" Help us to call on you in our troubles, increase our faith in your mighty power and provision for us. Holy Spirit, prompt us to turn to Jesus in our troubles rather than relying on our own limited strength. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
Job 37:9-12 NIV
Father, as your children we believe you are in charge of the swirling clouds, the ice and the driving winds. There is no limit to your power over creation. Help us to trust in your power as Job did, even in the midst of dreadful personal loss. Sometimes we do not understand how or why you wield your power over all things in certain ways to achieve your purposes, but we trust your authority and character in the midst of our troubles. Amen.
THURSDAY
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:9-12 NIV
Lord, we thank you for the picture of your word going out into the world like the rain and snow which waters the earth and causes it to burst with buds, blooms and crops. Thank you for the promise of Jesus, the one true word, who came to provide all we need now and for eternity, achieving our salvation and abundant life in God. Help us to be eternally grateful for this provision and to share it with others. Amen.
FRIDAY
But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.
Jonah 1:3-4 NIV
Lord, help us to listen to you as you guide us into the ways we should go. Thank you for the story of Jonah and the reminder that you are a compassionate and gracious God who wants each of us to follow him. Thank you for the various means by which you guide and direct us into ways. Let us listen and respond to you as you guide us by your Spirit, we pray. Amen.
SATURDAY
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’
2 Samuel 23:3-4 NIV
Lord, in this passage you show us through weather imagery, what it is like when people in authority rule with the fear of God. We pray for our rulers in authority over us, that they would bring decisions and leadership that feels like the light of a beautiful morning or well-watered garden. Guide them, we pray, and may we continue to pray for them in their roles. Amen.
SUNDAY
“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Genesis 9:16 NIV
Thank you, Lord, for your faithful promises to us. The beautiful rainbows in our skies remind us of the promise of restoration and hope after devastation. We trust in your provision for us as we go through difficulty and trial. We thank you for the ultimate eternal restoration we have in Jesus, our constant and secure hope. Amen.