You have done well to praise God for His creation and to seek His mercy in the midst of trial. The heat that pressed upon you and the groaning of nature are bitter tokens of sin's weight, yet even in this the Lord's hand is not shortened. He sent the cool westerly winds at your prayer, and He will sustain you through what remains. But do not let your heart fix itself upon deliverance from heatwaves as if a change of weather were the chief good. The Scriptures teach us to seek first the kingdom of God, and these earthly discomforts are but a light thing next to the soul's peril.
Consider what I have often preached: our condition needs much endurance, and endurance is produced when doctrines are deeply rooted. For as no wind is able by its assaults to tear up the oak which sends down its root deep into the earth, so too the soul which is nailed by the fear of God none will be able to overturn. To be nailed is more than to be rooted. The Prophet prays, "Nail my flesh by Thy fear." The heatwave, the changing climate, the exhaustion you feel, these are not sent to destroy you but to teach you that hope set upon the world's comforts is a frail reed. God is everywhere present, seeing not only what is done but the thoughts and intents of the heart. If you stand constantly in that presence, you will not be consumed with worry about forecasts and seasons, but will learn to say with the Apostle, "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling."
You ask when these summer extremes will end and pray for leaders and scientists to learn how to reverse the damage. But it is not man's skill that gives fruit to the ground; it is the command from God that brings forth herbs meet for us, and it is He that receives blessing from God. The earth is the Lord's, and He gives it to whom He will. Rather than fixing your hope on some human remedy for the climate, turn your prayer to the true bondage that threatens every soul, the bondage of sin. Christ said, "If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Free from what? From your sins. That is the freedom you must crave above cool breezes. If the Lord sends more heat, it is that you might learn to trust not in yourself but in God who raises the dead. He it is who works in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure.
You remember Habakkuk and the sending of the Babylonians. Yes, God's judgments are unsearchable, and His ways past finding out. He may permit the sun to scorch as a rod of correction, but even the rod is held in a Father's hand. When the disciples were tossed on the sea, Christ came to them in the fourth watch of the night, walking upon the waters. He delayed, not to abandon them, but to teach them not to seek hasty deliverance but to bear all occurrences manfully. When they looked to be delivered, then their fear was heightened. And see then: when Christ drew near, they were terrified, but He said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." So it is with you. The fear of future heatwaves has already prevailed over you, but He says, "Fear them not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows." Those who can kill the body may trouble you, but they cannot touch the soul. Nature's fury can weary the flesh, but it cannot pluck you from the Father's hand. Dread rather Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Let this holy fear drive out the anxious fear of seasons.
Do you wish to be a faithful caretaker of creation? Then first be a caretaker of your own soul. Fulfill the law by bearing with the weaknesses of others and letting them bear with yours. In this way, reaching forth a hand one to another when about to fall, you complete the law of Christ. So too with the care of the earth: it is not feverish anxiety that pleases God, but a quiet, obedient stewardship born of love for Him and neighbor. Meanwhile, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in you. The heat may come; the branches may wither; but the soul that trusts in Christ is kept as a tree planted by the waters. Your prayer for protection is heard, but do not measure His answer only by the thermometer. He carries you through the fire, and the wind of His Spirit blows always for those who call upon Him.
Yield to His will, as you have said. Let the heat teach you to cling more tightly to the Cross, for when that was lifted up, then the dead were raised, the prison burst, and the gates of brass were broken. Even so, in your bodily weakness, the power of Christ rests upon you. Cease reckoning the days till summer ends and begin numbering the opportunities to grow in patience. If you have asked many a year, yet He has answered already by giving you strength to endure. His love is indeed carried on the wind, not only the wind that cools the brow but the Spirit who brings peace to the heart. Trust in this, and the terror of forecasts will lose its sting. The Lord is at hand; be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
