Jan 25th Snow Day Devotion

Devotion for January 25th, 2026
There is an old saying in Eastern Kentucky that goes “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes”. Just last month, we had a day so warm that we played outside in t-shirts and the following day the temperature dipped below freezing. I think the same thing could be said for this current winter storm we are in. It was originally supposed to be Friday (or not at all) then moved to an expected start time on Saturday at noon, then 2pm, then 5pm, then 7pm. We were supposed to get anywhere between 5-12 inches and it could be snow or freezing rain (turns out that it was both). The uncertainty is maddening. Now we are in the position of trying to figure out when it will stop, when the roads will be cleared and wondering if the power will go out or a pipe will bust. Pastor Ben and Kim, flying back to the area after a well-deserved vacation, are probably sitting in a hotel room wondering when they can get home. For my part, I just feel like we are living in an uncertain world right now. There is civil unrest around the country, and we feel more divided than we ever have. Civil discussion and disagreement have been replaced with insults and violence. There are wars on the world stage, the stock market is a roller coaster at times, and culturally it seems like everyone is on a different page. I’m sure some of our older folks might say its always been like this, or maybe it was even worse some time before, but from where I’m sitting, things just feel very, very shaky.

All this uncertainty leads to anxiety and fear. At times like this, when we feel doubt or stress, we need to take a moment and find steady footing. We need to find truth and hold on to it to keep our bearings. That truth, of course, is in the Bible. Psalm 119.89 reminds us that “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” The eternal truth of Scripture is just an extension of a God that is constant. Psalms also reminds us that God will always remain the same and He will never end (102.27). In uncertain times we should seek a certain God because He is the only thing that can make sense of the madness and bring order to chaos. It is so comforting to read verses like Malachi 3.6, where God tells His people “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Theologians describe this as God’s immutability. It means He does not change and cannot be changed.

But what does God’s immutability mean for us? Serving a God who is constant means we can find comfort in His person and His promises. James 1.17 reminds us that every good and perfect thing comes to us from a God that does not change. In fact, one of the most beautiful and comforting verses in the Bible, Romans 8.28, takes this a step further and says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” While we may not be able to see the future, we can be certain that ultimately things will work out for our good. God has promised it and He never changes. His immutability means He cannot lie and will always be true to His word. This is very clear in Numbers 23.19 where it tells us that if God says it, He will always do it.

When we teach our kids about this, we often use Matthew 14.22-33:
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,  and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When Peter sees the winds, when he feels uncertain, he starts to sink and cries out for Jesus. And Jesus reaches out and saves him. Peter was saved from sinking and that same salvation from whatever storms life may throw at us is available today…we just have to reach out for Jesus, because as Hebrews reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (13.8)

FCC Grayson’s motto is “Hope Starts Here”. If you are like me, you’ve noticed that several other places have started using it as well. It speaks to people who are looking for hope and to a society seeking certainty in uncertain times. But really, all we are saying is that we try to be a church that points people to Jesus and helps them (and ourselves) get closer to God. When things around us are so fickle, there is a tremendous comfort in knowing we serve an unchanging God and that salvation is always available if we call out to Jesus.
We hope everyone is staying safe and warm. We will continue to keep you updated throughout this winter storm. If you need pray about something, have an immediate need, or just need someone to talk to, please let us know.

• FCC Grayson