22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)
By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad”
I read a poem last week that made me laugh:
Spring has sprung.
Fall has fell.
It’s the middle of July
And hotter than usual.
Now I realize this little verse is not exactly pastoral in nature. But here at the country church, it is certainly true. We’re having a scorcher of a (humid) summer here. And from what I’ve seen on the news, there’s a good chance you’re having very hot weather wherever you are, too.
But I come bearing good news today. Cooler weather is on its way. I know this for a fact, and I don’t base my optimism on past meteorological records or the findings of science. I know the crisp mornings of autumn are on their way because this is what the Lord has promised in His Word.
Throughout history, God has made covenants with mankind. Long ago, He made a covenant with Noah and placed the rainbow in the sky as a seal and a reminder of His promise to never again destroy the earth by water. Today’s Scripture lesson (at the top) shows us other promises the LORD made to Noah at that time; as long as there is a world, there will be the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. We know that cool weather will come again — because this is the promise of God.
My heart is always thrilled when I think of how God still establishes covenants with the creatures He has made. His latest covenant is His greatest; He has offered us the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28).
Isn’t today a glorious day to be alive? We can enjoy the hot-weather-fun of summer, even as we look forward to the cool breezes of fall. And we can grow in the grace of God’s new covenant, as we look forward to the joys of Heaven. So mamas, make the most of the hot weather because it’s going to change soon. 
Take your babies swimming, and take them to Vacation Bible School. Stay cool and hydrated. Live for the Saviour.
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad.” He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and has spent the last 26 years being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. (On week days he works at a public school.) He and his lovely wife, Susan, and his sons, Spencer (age 20) and Seth (age 17) live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church (where Billy [Spencer and Seth’s “barking dog”] is getting skinny because it is too hot for him to care to eat much.) He would love to hear from you in an email sent to jcash@scott.k12.ms.us.
