Fall is Here. Winter is Coming?

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. ... "Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? ... Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? ... Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? ... Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail? ... Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind? ... Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? ... Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew? Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes." Job 38:1-4, 12, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28-30

Meditate. Consider God’s challenge to Job.

 

Autumn is here. The trees changed colors as we had a frost last week…and now the wind is blowing and the trees are losing their leaves. The colors are so beautiful on the trees. I love the fall colors—golden yellows, rusty oranges, burgundy reds, and browns, mixed in with the green leaves.

Where I grew up we didn’t have many trees—except the poplar, elm, and fruit trees growing in our yard. There were tumbleweeds anywhere they could sprout—so on the farmlands around us, we saw lots of tumbleweeds. Amazingly, in the fall those green weeds turned golden and red. They have chlorophyll in them, just like trees. When the chlorophyll breaks down in reduced light and cooler weather, the pigments of carotenoids (yellow and orange) and anthocyanins (red and purple) become visible as the chlorophyll fades. Are they there all the time and we can’t see them over the bold greens? Hmmm. Spiritually, is there some correlation? Are the love, joy, and peace in our lives sometimes hidden?

God challenged Job to consider a few questions about His wisdom and creation. Have you ever considered why the dawn rises in the east, where the gates of death are, where is the home of the east wind (or north or south winds), who makes the rain fall in the desert, who gives birth to the dew, who is the mother of ice, who gives birth to frost, or turns water into ice in the winter? How does all this happen? There are scientific answers to some questions…but why, how, when does God do this? Where does He get His wisdom? So many questions. Ponder all that, as Job must have. Job had time as he lay in his mournful situation. Do you have time, or take time to focus on God?

Autumn is here and the days are getting shorter. The leaves are falling from the trees…and blowing away. Soon winter will be here—and we’ll be spending more time indoors. Will we take time then to contemplate God, His wisdom, and creation?

 

Prayer – Lord, as we watch the seasons change, it reminds us that You have a plan. If we were to divide up the lifespan of Your creation and history…would we be in Autumn or Winter? Things happening around the world look like they are following Your plan. Israel is back in their land—Your Promised Land—and countries are fighting against them. There are certainly wars…and rumors of wars, earthquakes, violent storms, hunger, pestilence…and people falling away from You and each other. Is the end near? We’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the Autumn scenery and remember to bask in Your love. My mission is to Love You, God, and to love others. I praise You—for You are worthy of praise and honor. Thank You!

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Romans 13:10-12

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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