The East Wind

Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
Job 38:22–24
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The East Wind
God’s creation is a marvelous thing. People spend their whole lives studying just a tiny portion of it, as a biologist, meteorologist, chemist, or astronomer does. And no matter how much time and brainpower is spent on understanding God’s creation, we never come close to full insight.  The storehouses of the snow and hail are kept hidden in that we can’t always predict when and where they will come. The east wind blows in as sudden and as fast as it dissipates. Yet these wonders of God’s creation are given to us for our benefit. The snow and the rain bring moisture to parched lands, the winds scatter the seeds for new growth. The light breaks at dawn to bring renewal for a new day.  And just as we cannot fully appreciate and comprehend God’s creation for us, so too do we fall short when it comes to knowing His ways for our lives.  Like Job we don’t always know God’s reasoning and why things happen the way in which they do, but we nevertheless trust in His good and gracious will.  For just as He sends rain to the dry and cracked soil so too has He sent His Word with water to regenerate our dry and cracked souls. In Baptism the Holy Spirit blows over us as the east wind brings comfort and relief, strength and salvation.  As the light is caused to dawn on a darkened world so is the Son of Man sent to enlighten our darkened souls. Through His true body and blood, in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion we are given forgiveness, life, and salvation.  And though we don’t know all of God’s ways, we have been given faith to know our salvation lies in His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.