There is a phenomenon going on today in the United States.  There’s a hunger for innovation and new direction; people are thirsty for change and hope, and in all of that many times we forget the foundations that have been laid in our lives.  A lot of people even struggle to remember some of the life lessons that were given to them by their parents.  It’s interesting the way certain times and circumstances tend to jar our memory with words that were spoken to us long ago.  In the book of Acts, there is an account about the Athenians, these people gave themselves to nothing except to tell or hear some new thing.  It seems like that’s where we are today, things are moving so fast.  Every day there’s new scientific breakthroughs, a new investment opportunity, new health issues, new plagues, new political lies, and other so-called new things that we are eager to hear about and go tell.  Even in church, we want the preacher to have some new revelation; and if a preacher simply talks about the foundational principles of Christ, we accuse him of not being on the cutting edge.  At the speed of society it is difficult to imagine people having a firm stance on their foundation.  So now here’s the snow.  God is seemingly mocking all of the global warming prognosticators; however, I do not think is that shallow.  I am no scientist, and quite frankly, I haven’t been alive long enough to notice a change in the trends.  They say the earth is getting warmer every year; heck, I don’t know!

Then enters winter 2009- 2010; the whole country is freezing.  Snow is interrupting many things from government and athletic events, to countless cookouts.  Since I’m only your average bear, I just figured it was snowing.  However, our dear Lord and Savior has another idea.  I was actually sitting in the bathroom, in the exact spot where people sit in the bathroom, when the presence of God came to me to give me an insight into what He is doing.  He simply quoted the Scripture to me out of Isaiah 55:8-11

“For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it.

I began to understand that the snow is a twofold sign.  Let’s talk about the obvious first, the fact that America is in the middle of a national winter.  There are numerous families hurting financially and emotionally.  Some do not notice how bad a shape we are in until our pockets are affected.  As long as everything is well with our national god, Mammon, then we believe everything is okay.  This national winter is going to get harsher.  The financial turmoil of America is just beginning and the effects on every family are just being realized.  There are many in the church with the mentality to escape, but it may be that we all drink from the cup of iniquity that we helped to fill.

However, the sign is twofold, that means that our God of reconciliation, our Redeemer, the One who has abounding mercy and compassion all the way to a thousand generations has an answer for all that we are going through.  The snow is also a sign to us that the words spoken over America, the blessings that have come because of the Church are not null and void.  The Lord is saying that His word is not going to return to Him without first coming to pass.  He is saying that America has a hope, will be restored, and be remembered even if that hope, restoration, and remembrance causes us to look different than we do today. Even after all of this, sometimes we get caught looking in the wrong direction.  It is time to look to Jesus Christ, the only One who can and will help us.  As many of you know, I am not a person who believes that America is a Christian nation.  However, I do believe that America has a lot of Christians and for the sake of the righteous God will remember this nation, all of the good that she has done and raise her to a position of greatness once again.  (Not as a witness of our own goodness, but as a witness of the mercy and the faithfulness of God.)  During this time, every Christian should be searching and evaluating their heart to really see who or what they follow.  If Jesus is Lord, follow Him.  But if Money is your Lord, then follow it.  The lines are drawn, and we will be wise to choose Jesus.  It may be that our national winter will last as long as it takes us to make the right decision.