Yesterday, we were monitoring the incredible number of tornadoes that occurred across the U.S. from the south up through the Midwest. My daughter checked in with a close relative—my cousin in southern Iowa—about a major tornado that was tracking her way. She confirmed that the storm had just gone over their small farm, but thankfully did not touch down.

Weather disruption (storms, snow, hail, hurricanes, tornados, torrential rain and snow) is a fact of life. In fact, as I am writing we just read about a blizzard heading our way this coming week. It appears winter is still with us yet. 

Certainly, we’re all used to storm warnings throughout the year, but don’t let that keep you from striving to see things as God sees them. 

Good weather with rain and/or snow in due season is one of the blessings God promises the Israelite nations–and all nations.  However, when the storms get too strong to the point of being very damaging and destroying life and property (or the opposite, like a crop-killing drought) or a livestock killing winter storm, then that kind of weather can be a curse. 

God promised both, remember. If His nation Israel (ancient or the modern nations descended from the tribes) strove to faithfully obey His divine law, then they would be blessed incredibly. However, if the 12 Tribes ignored and actively rejected God and His commands, they would suffer the consequences starting with adverse weather patterns.

Read Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. These are the two basic passages of God’s “blessings and cursings” chapters in Scripture. 

Bear this in mind as you endeavor to see the big picture of what God is doing and how He teaches the nations (starting with ancient and modern Israelite peoples).

Please note: We don’t have long to grasp what God is teaching us in His true Church. The bulk of all the nations historically will have their time of spiritual calling into God’s Church in the future during the Millennium or the Great White Throne Judgment. But NOW is our time to learn and live His way of life. This is our time in the true Church of God to come under that divine spiritual judgement before the Father and Christ. 

Use this Passover season to energize your faithfulness, and specifically ask God to help you to see the big picture of His wonderful plan of salvation.

*This originally appeared as a weekly note sent to my local congregation. If you wish to reprint this commentary or learn more about how to do so, please contact me in the comments below. I reserve my rights to this content, it is not in the public domain for use or reprint without my permission.