Climate Change and the Master

Sunset in our part of Colorado

Sylvia and I started the summer in Houston. We arrived here in Colorado the second week of July. Now I write to my friends in Houston about 45 degree nights and 75-80 degree days. The weather is most agreeable when you consider that Texas weather reaches well into the 90s these days, together with 90 % plus humidity.

But it is not the difference in weather that concerns me. What concerns me is what we Christians tend to forget in the midst of all the talk about weather and climate change these days. This is something clearly outlined in Psalm 147. Consider the closing verses of this Psalm of praise:

Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem;

praise your God, O Zion,

for he strengthens the bars of your gate

and blesses your people within you.

He grants peace to your borders

and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

He sends his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

He spreads the snow like wool

and scatters the frost like ashes.

He hurls down his hail like pebbles.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them;

he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

He has revealed his word to Jacob,

his laws and decrees to Israel.

He has done this for no other nation;

they do not know his laws.

Praise the LORD.

Notice what the psalmist teaches us about weather, climate and God's blessings. He is directly involved in the climate. He scatters the frost, melts the snow, stirs up breezes and makes waters flow. He, not we, is in charge of the weather! He is not a God who has retreated to some unknown place far beyond the universe and creation. He is present, speaking and sending His Word to control the wind, rain, snow, ice, melting water and flowing streams.

I read much about impending doom, caused by our flooding the earth's climate with carbon emissions. I do not question the importance of these warnings and of the continued study of the earth, the climate and our use of the precious resources put into our hands. What I call for, however, is some humility--and faith.

Ultimately we are not in charge of the weather, the climate and the shifts in climate. He is. The LORD who has revealed Himself as Jesus of Nazareth is the One who spoke to the raging winds and waters of the inland Sea of Galilee. His disciples feared for their lives because the water was filling their small fishing boat. Jesus was asleep, apparently unconcerned. They woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing. He replied, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?"

Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. Mark's Gospel tells us the words He spoke, "Hush, be still." It is a sharp word, but one that the winds and water must obey, for here is their Master.

The sea became perfectly calm at His Word and the disciples trembled in holy fear. "Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him," they said to one another. (Mark 4 and Matthew 8)

We are indeed responsible for how we use the precious resources of this earth. We are stewards of the Master. However, we must not forget who is the Master, Creator and LORD. This loving Master is Jesus. He will not forsake us. He is not asleep while we perish.