November 29 – The Weather

        Job 38:25 – "Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm[?]...."

        Given that there are only three sources of causality in the world (God, other spirit beings, man), I have often wondered to whom should be attributed certain acts of nature, specifically weather events. It is clear from Job chapters 38 and 39, that God is in control of all aspects of weather. However, as I look at details within the bigger picture of the entire Bible, I see glimpses of God allowing Satan to temporarily control the weather.

        At the beginning of the story of Job, Satan is allowed to "test" Job. He uses two different means in chapter 1: two separate raiding parties against his servants, and two separate "physical phenomenon" events against his servants and his children. One of these latter events contains strong wind, which causes a house to collapse and kill Job's adult children. It is clear from the text that even the "fire of God" in verse 16 was caused by Satan.

        There is another event - in the life of Jesus -  that lets me know that Satan can control physical phenomena. In Mark 4:35f, Jesus is asleep in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. His disciples were rowing across the lake, when a strong storm suddenly arises, apparently strong enough to start swamping the boat. The disciples awaken Jesus, and he immediately rebukes the wind and waves, and causes the storm to suddenly die down.

      So, who caused the storm? Jesus gave an explanation in Mark 3 when the Pharisees attributed Jesus' power to drive out demons, to the "prince of demons" himself. Jesus explained that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus also mentioned in John 8:28f that he only acted to please the Father. Therefore, if God had sent the storm on the lake, then Jesus would have been fighting against God. So the only other possible source of the storm is Satan.

        On the flip side, the scriptures attribute power and might to God when it comes to the weather. Psalm 29 is replete with references to wind/storm, possible tornadic. Matthew 5:45 tells us that God sends the rain on both the just and the unjust. The aforementioned reference to Job 38ff strongly attributes weather events to the power of God. So, who moves the hurricanes up the east coast? Or spins up a tornado in the plains? It is hard to say. I am in no position to presume the reason or source for localized weather events. However, the one who has ultimate control over his creation, will also hide me in the shelter of his wings (Psalm 91:4). Nothing can separate me from the love of God, even in the midst of a raging, destroying storm (Romans 8:38, 39).