In Job 38:22 God asks Job, “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?” As most of you know, we live in Salt Lake City, which is on the eastern edge of the Great Basin Desert. This past Friday, April 4th, I went hiking in Little Cottonwood Canyon, where our desert meets the mountains. I started at the entrance to the canyon and followed the trail along the creek for 3 miles. The first ½ mile the trail was dry but after that it was covered in snow. And at 3 miles in there was about 10 inches of snow on the trail. Beyond that, it is only 6 more miles to the top of the canyon to Alta ski resort. Two seasons ago, they received over 900 inches (75 feet) of snow.
There are numerous times in life where things seem very dry. We are connected with God but we would say we are in a desert season. We need God to show up and provide a fresh flow of water in our lives. In Isaiah 43:19 God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”. In the natural here in Salt Lake City, life in the desert is dependent on the snow.
During the cold winter months when life is still, just a few miles from the valley floor and the desert there is snow falling many days each week. Individual flakes that seem insignificant in themselves, hidden away for God and a few select creatures to enjoy their beauty. They land and meld together, stored up for when we need them. And as spring comes, it starts to melt, providing life for months on end. In Bells Canyon, just to the south of Little Cottonwood, there is snow blocking the top of the trail until July.
On Sunday, we sang the beautiful song, “Fall Like Rain”. It is a powerful song about the work of the Holy Spirit and our desire for God’s presence. May this song/prayer be answered in all of our lives. With that, may I suggest another prayer to add to the cries of our heart. “Holy Spirit, fall like snow in the hidden places – day in and day out for months on end. Then as you see fit, release the water that keeps the desert of my life fruitful. Apart from You. . .apart from your sustaining flow, I can do nothing! So please send the snows today in the hidden places of my life that will be stored up and provide life for the next desert season.”
