Historically, I’ve watched the weather to see how it might effect a round of golf I had scheduled or a planned vacation trip. Occasionally, the weather would effect my weekend yard work or taking the kids to the pool. I started actively farming 3-4 years ago and my attention to the weather has changed dramatically. The weather has changed as well.
A farmer’s life centers around the land and the weather. You need good soil in which to plant a crop and you need good weather for the crop to grow. You can till, condition, water and fertilize the land but if the weather doesn’t cooperate the crop will not bear fruit; it’s all in vain. Farmers realize their success or failure is dependent on a thing that is not within their control. Therefore, it’s imperative to keep an eye on the forecast and stay on your knees. We all need to do the same.
The past few weeks have seen an interesting and dramatic change in the forecast for our nation. Although most of the population doesn’t farm and they live in urban areas, the weather still effects their daily lives. While the world is focused on Covid, elections, restrictions and social media accounts, don’t forget to watch the weather…and I’m not talking about climate change.
The climate change argument is human reasoning to explain the weather like the talking heads explaining why the stock market behaves a certain way. I spent 30 years working on Wall Street and was always amazed how the pundits tried to explain each day’s movement in stock prices. Daily, someone gives a reason to explain what is happening to share prices, interest rates, the price of oil AND the weather. The general public is placated when a voice gives an explanation for what is happening, whether it is correct or not. Meteorologists are often the brunt of jokes because of their inaccuracies in predicting the weather. That’s because the weather constantly changes and can’t be controlled. At least no one on earth controls it.
Christ followers can remember the story when Jesus’ disciples were freaking out during a storm. ‘A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion…He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.’ Mark 4:37-39. The guys with Jesus noticed the irregularity that had happened. ‘They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!” ‘ Mark 6:41. God can and does control the weather.
The weather in 2020 was one of the most alarming years on record. Devastating wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and derechos (that’s a new one for most of you). These weather events caused more than $100 billion of economic damage in the United States alone. Dollar figures in the hundreds of billions don’t translate to our real lives very well so lets put some flesh on that bone.
Wildfires in the West and Pacific Northwest were the worst on record and the season lasted longer than normal…from June until December. California experienced the worst wildfire season IN HISTORY as 4.2 million acres were torched and 31 people died. For perspective, that’s an area the size of Connecticut and the damage was twice as extensive as what burned in the previous 5 seasons. Five of the six largest wildfires on record occurred in 2020. Temperatures in San Francisco were 10-15 degrees higher than normal as record winds dried out vegetation with massive rainfall deficits. The frequency of days with ‘extreme fire weather conditions’ has doubled since the 1980’s. In Death Valley this summer, temperatures reached 131 degrees and is possible the hottest temperature on record anywhere, IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. Because of the weather(?) California has been literally left high and dry.
Trends tend to start in California and move east across the country. The weather is no exception. The 2020 hurricane season was the busiest in recorded history with 30 named storms from Texas to Maine…which is 2 1/2 times the seasonal average. Thunderstorms and tornadoes were the most expensive and prolific disasters in the lower 48 states from Iowa to Nashville. Derechos, a straight-lined long-lived wind up to 140 mph, affected more than 43% of Iowa’s corn crop and were even experienced as far east as Philadelphia and New Jersey. December ushered in one of the most prolific snowstorms in the northeast and Pennsylvania recorded an all-time record for a two day storm. In simple terms, the weather was OFF the charts from coast to coast from January through December.
The weather can change on a dime, just like the political climate. The polar vortex split a few weeks ago and now we are experiencing colder temperatures than what had been forecast. Europe is feeling this as well. ‘Experts’ can use ‘science’ to explain some of the changes in the weather, but this is similar to believing there is an accurate explanation for every wiggle in stock prices. History has proven that science evolves with man’s understanding. Man’s understanding is not a linear progression and is subject to change. It is important to remember that God can and does control and change the weather.
A quick refresher reminds us that GOD is the author of ‘climate change’. He changed the earth’s entire topography by creating heaven and earth with His words, ex nihilo, out of nothing (Genesis 1:1). He rained down fire and ‘condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly.’ 2 Peter 2:6. No one had ever seen water fall from the sky before God caused it to rain 40 days and nights. The resulting flood didn’t clear for 150 days (Genesis 7:24). He also divided a sea and dried the resulting ocean floor for His people to immediately walk across (Exodus 15:19). These are examples of RAPID weather and climate change.
Controlling and altering the climate and the weather is powerful stuff!! Because God has shown what HE can do, men want to imitate and mimic His actions for THEIR desired results. Bill Gates is taking another shot at climate change by funding a group of Harvard scientists to block out the sun’s rays. The idea has been around for decades but this is the first real attempt at controlling Earth’s temperature through solar engineering. The motive of lowering the global temperature may appeal to some, but it is impossible to know the resulting consequences. Only God knows the resulting complications for precipitation patterns, crop yields, the ozone, and the list goes on. God already knows the forecast for climate change and the coming changes in the weather…so what is HIS forecast??
‘But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar: the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare…That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.’ 2 Peter 3:10…….This won’t be climate change and this isn’t a conspiracy theory. This is God’s forecast for judgement and wrath when His creation turns away from Him.
The writer of the book of Revelation reminds us that God has and will control the weather. ‘I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.’ Revelation 7:1. God always has and always will be the final arbiter of weather and climate change on the Earth. If we don’t like the weather and the changes we are seeing, there IS something we can do that guarantees a better forecast.
Weather is not a distraction and it can be the voice of God, so listen….’When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’ 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.
Our country, our land, our nation needs healing before the ultimate climate change takes place. ‘…and there came hail and fire mixed with blood and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.’ Revelation 8:7. This is the forecast and it won’t be avoided by geoengineering.
Don’t be fooled into thinking the weather forecast won’t effect you because it’s far away in time and not for where you live or work. Weather patterns can and do change abruptly and violently, as we have recently seen.
A farmer knows to trust in God to protect and provide for his crop. Our nation knows that we need to return to our faith in the One who controls the weather.