Thunder

Thunder rolls and crashes across the Sawtooths, echoing through the peaks and canyons around us, shaking the ground—a celestial sonic boom! My old dog cuts and runs. I stand amazed and delighted.

Scientists tell us that thunder is a natural phenomenon, nothing more than the sudden expansion of super-heated air around a lightning bolt's path..The biblical poets inform us that thunder is more than natural, naked force; It is the voice of God:

The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
—Psalm 29:3-5

And again:

”The skies give forth thunder;
    your arrows flash on every side.
The crash of your thunder is in the whirlwind;
    your lightnings light up the world;
    the earth trembles and shakes” 
—Psalms 77:7, 8

Several of the psalms refer to a thunderstorm that overshadowed Israel as she made her way through the Red Sea—thunder that spelled doom for the Egyptians, but deliverance to God's people. Each resounding clap was a comforting voice assuring those  He loved and had come to save.

It thundered again when Jesus asked his Father to glorify His name. A voice answered from heaven with this assurance: "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd said it thundered; Jesus, with better hearing, heard the voice of God (John 12:28,29).

Are you troubled today? Call out to God. He will answer you from "the place of thunder" (Psalm 81:7). You may not hear the thunder roll, but it will rumble and reverberate throughout the heavens. God may not deliver you from your circumstances, but He will speak peace to your heart of hearts and deliver you from all your fears. He "will give strength to his people! He will bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29:11).

There's no need to be afraid of thunder. Children should know this, young and old. It is one of ways God reminds us of his mighty power to save.

David Roper
1/25/15