Go ahead and laugh at the Florida boy writing an article about “cold” as soon as the temperature hits the thirties. I am fine with it. The word “cold’ is used eighteen times in the Bible. As we would expect, about half of the time the idea is that warmth would be appreciated to combat the cold! Such as: “The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold” (Acts 28.2). Ah, that warmth! Few things are as comforting to someone who is cold and wet that the glow of a hot fire!
Have you ever thought about the temperature on the day that Jesus died? Many estimates put this time frame as early April (based on the feast days). More pinpointed is that John mentions the temperature as being cold while Jesus is being questioned the night of His betrayal; “Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold…” (John 18.18). The cold would make that beating all the more severe. Every single scourge stinging the skin.
God is even portrayed as using the cold as a weapon. Besides hailstones (which can even come in the summer), the psalmist writes that “[God] hurls down His crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before His cold?” (Psalm 147.17)
But cold is not always written of in a negative way. Coffee, some teas, and cocoa may be delicious hot, but water is best served cold- ICE COLD! “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25.25). In Matthew 10.42 giving a disciple a cup of cold water is reward worthy. Again, wording that is so easy to feel- cold water when you are weary, worn-out, and whupped.
Whether cold or not, weather cold and hot, has its own spot (like it or not). God promises, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8.22) Cold weather is even spoken of as a blessing, when it fits into its appropriate timing (Proverbs 25.13). Yes, as long as God delays Jesus’s return, we do well to welcome the winter as a fulfillment of the word of the Creator. So, for my wife’s sake I add the end of Revelation 22.20: “’Surely I am coming soon’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
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