Treasures of the Snow -                                                                 (from Contemplations on the Ways of the Lord by Bishop Jerry Ogles)

   We need Divine help to do those things which are impossible without the empowerment of

our Father in Heaven. The source of such tremendous and divine power is a mystery to

lowly man. Where should we seek for such divine assistance? “I will lift up mine eyes unto

the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made

heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not

slumber.” (Psalm 121:1-3)

   We need to feed upon food from high places. We need the ‘manna’ which cometh down

from heaven. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:...” (John 6:35) Is this a mystery? Not to those who believe!

   For thousands of years (and not until the last century did we know) the great Nile River of

Africa remained a mystery. No one knew the origin of the life-giving waters of that longest

of all rivers - over 4,150 miles long. Not only was its origin shrouded in mystery, but also

its strange nature. During times of greatest draught and endless famine, when all other

water sources were dry, the mighty Nile overflowed its banks with an abundance of life-

saving water. It even carried nutrients for the soil in the form of minerals and silt which it

graciously deposited on the delta plains of the fertile crescent of Egypt.

   Its secret is now known. The Nile has its origin at the snow-capped heights of the great

continent of Africa. The towering peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro are covered with the

“..treasures of the snow...” (Job 38:22) During the hot summer months, large quantities of

these eternal snows melt and feed their waters into Lake Victoria, which in turn feeds the

Nile River and sends its gift of life to millions.

   Do we have our origins as Christians anchored from on high? Do we partake of the

mysteries of the eternal snows which are given from Heaven? We must, if we are to have

the character and refinement of Heaven. “...as silver tried in a furnace of earth (fleshly

body)...seven times” (Psalm 12:6) The lead and tin are dross which are cast aside; but the

silver which remains is pure. Are you a Sterling Christian? We have some flatware in our

china cabinet stamped ‘sterling silver’. That means that the utensil is silver all the way

through. Use as much as you like, but the instrument will always look like, feel like, and

behave as silver - because it is silver, and has all the properties thereof! 

   I have another vessel in the same china cabinet which looks precisely the same as the silver one. Except itis stamped ‘silver plated’. It has all the appearance of silver. It shines like silver, it looks inevery respect like silver, but, alas! it is an imposter! Some of us Christians are like that 'silver-plated’ vessel I fear. We shine up nicely, but we cannot endure the test of time! 

   Our true metal will show through eventually. Of course, even the true silver will tarnish if it is not used and exercised regularly. That is why we Christians must take up our crosses daily!

    So that our sterling character will shine through for all the world to see as a testimony of

Whose we are. We must let our lights shine forth for the One who loved us so much that

He died for us while we were yet sinners. And that light we shine forth must be the

reflected light of the Light of the World! What a Saviour!”