Gtcotr/ss112623
Perhaps you’ve noticed that it is getting a little colder. We are approaching another winter. Just like clockwork … in fact it is clockwork … it’s God’s clockwork.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.
God ordered the earth on which we live to be a habitable, life-sustaining, fruit-filled oasis in a vast galaxy of hostile planets inconducive to human existence. The resources necessary for life as we know it are found on the earth in abundance. God has provided everything we need all around us.
With minimum effort, and at times with no effort at all, the earth buds and brings forth its fruit each spring as an offering to meet our needs. And yet, there are seasons in which nothing grows, despite our best efforts. This too has a purpose in God’s greater plan.
The 8th chapter of the book of Genesis tells us that after God destroyed the earth with a flood, He made a promise to Noah. The promise was aimed at helping Noah to be secure in, and prepared for, the future. We find a part of that promise in verse 22.
Genesis 8:22 “While the earth
remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and
night Shall not cease.”
·
Seedtime
and harvest; Cold and heat
· Winter and summer; Day and night
God’s clockwork. Wintertime is a part of normal life.
Three days ago we Americans celebrated our annual Thanksgiving holiday. There were parades and football games, family gatherings and special events, turkey dinners with cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, and apple pie. The smells of sage and celery were everywhere. From homeless shelters to army chow halls, church socials to nursing homes, mansions to hospitals, America was celebrating an event from the pages of history all the way back to the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving in the year 1621.
That year The Pilgrims were thankful because they were prepared for the next winter. It had been a little over a year, September 6, 1620, since 102 passengers had set sail from England, aboard a ship called the Mayflower. After almost 70 days they arrived at their new settlement, Plymouth Rock, in upper New England.
Do you know how cold it is in Massachusetts in December? Take away your house, add some rain, hunt for your food, and cook over an open fire … it can and did get pretty bad for the Pilgrims. Less than 50 people were still alive when it warmed up that first spring of 1621. Winter demands respect.
When Jesus was having a private conversation about the end times with Peter, James, John, and Andrew on the Mount of Olives just prior to His crucifixion, Jesus admonished the disciples:
Mark 13:18 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter.”
Paul respected the winter and wanted to be prepared for it in prison.
2 Timothy 4 NKJV
13 Bring the cloak that I
left with Carpus at Troas when you come — and the books, especially
the parchments.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
Not every place was considered a good place to stay during the winter.
Acts 27:12 ¶ And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
The Apostle Paul did not expect to do in the winter what he did in other seasons.
1 Corinthians 16:6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.
Winter demands respect and Thankfully winter won’t last forever. The Pilgrims, along with the Apostle Paul, understood the value of being prepared for winter. Even animals and insects understand this principle.
Proverbs 6 NKJV
6 ¶ Go to the ant, you
sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.
Why are we discussing this? Because winter is coming, and it is wise to be prepared.
Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”
Nothing is too difficult if you are prepared for it … including eternity!
1.
Wire yourself for winter.
a. This is the day the
Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
b. Just because a tree
has no leaves on it does not mean it’s dead or that there is no beauty in it.
c. Don’t allow the winter
to depress you … prepare … it’s coming.
2.
Learn to conserve.
a. Complete a critical
review of your life and assets.
b. Trim the ship. When
you can’t afford cigarettes, it’s a good idea to stop smoking.
c. Winter is a natural
time for some things to die.
3.
Not everyone feels like you do.
a. When Paul and his
companions were experiencing a personal shipwreck, the people of Crete were
experiencing a rescue.
b. The people on the ship
felt sad … the people on shore were excited to have visitors for the winter.
c. And Paul started preaching, praying, and healing people.
Our nation didn’t just survive, our nation thrived. Much of the success we have enjoyed as Americans is due to the value we place on being prepared. This is a God thing and a good thing.
The blessings of God are abundant right now, and we are in a very fruitful season in America and in many other places around the world. People in many places are making more and doing more and going more and enjoying more. While people in some places are in difficulties we cannot imagine. Thankfully winter won’t last forever.
However eternity will. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah of the Jews, and Savior of the world. He will rescue your soul from hell and from the hell of this life. He will give you peace even in the midst of war. He will hear your cries and answer your prayers.
I believe each one of us would be wise to prepare for winter. Like Joseph in the seven years of plenty in the book of Genesis. God warned Joseph that lean times were ahead.
With that knowledge, Joseph became the wealthiest man in the wealthiest country in all the known world. We have also been warned. Let’s not waste this season of abundance and blessing. Let’s be thankful and prepare for winter … and for those who did not spend their time preparing for themselves.
