Country Chatter

"Red in the morning, sailors take warning. 
Red at night, sailors delight." 
(Ancient rhyme often repeated by mariners)

I knew it was falling weather and probably going to rain today and I didn’t need Jim Duncan (channel 12 news) or the Weather Channel to tell me. Monday morning the eastern sky (above & below pictures) was a canvas of brilliant colors. I love taking pictures from my kitchen window with my proud, crowing rooster silhouetted. Red in the morning means in three days there will be falling (or a change in) weather. This morning (Wednesday) started out as a warm and spring-like sweater day. It didn’t take long until gray clouds hide the sun and a gentle breeze brought in cooler temperatures.

Did you know that long before the above quip was penned, the Bible revealed how to discern the same truth. Jesus himself told the Pharisees and Sadducees one day when they came testing him by wanting a sign from heaven, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening’ (Matthew 16: 2-3).

There are many weather signs in the heavens. The Jewish calendar is based on lunar months, while years are based on solar years.. The rotation of the moon and sun determines day and night. Tide is determined by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun, and the rotation of the Earth.

The direction of the wind determines whether it will be hot and dry or whether rain is coming. Luke 12:54-55 “When you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say; ‘A shower is coming’ and so it is’. And when you see the south wind blow, you say ‘There will be hot weather’, and so it is”.

A funnel cloud and an eerie green tint to the sky means a tornado is imminent. Menacing dark, swirling clouds warn a storm is brewing.

The stars can be used for navigation. Remember the wise men who came looking for baby Jesus by following a star.

It is so fascinating and amazing to me how God created the world with precise detail and even signs so that we can know and understand the weather.

Jesus also lamented that people can discern the face of the sky and of the earth and yet refuse to discern the signs of the times in which they live (Matthew 12:56). Just as he gave many clues and signs about his coming as a baby, so he has given many clues and signs about his second coming. We can’t know the day or hour, but we can understand with clarity many clues to his second coming if we know how to read the signs.

Take heed to Jesus words, “Watch therefore…. for the Son of Man is coming…” (Matthew 24: 42 & 44).