The Voice of the Lord

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“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic” (Psalm 29:3,4 NIV).

There is nothing in our natural world so universally disruptive as a thunder storm. Especially when it is so intense as to include tornadoes in its arsenal.

The ominous black clouds gathering on the horizon give us our first blush of concern. Then, high in the clouds off in the distance, we see the explosive power of lightning flashes; looking as though they are trying to burst each cloud into a thousand pieces from the inside out. And, by the measure of the eventual downpour, it would seem that they finally succeeded.

We hear the fascinating peals of thunder; a most unearthly sound, unrivaled by anything man has invented. For this earth-shaking noise comes from somewhere far beyond our power, and as it rumbles triumphant through hill and vale, we are reminded of just how small we truly are.

Then, a sudden drop in temperature signals that we have crossed the point of no return; the storm is imminent. And the winds suddenly unleash the full force of their freedom, bending all things in submission to their relentless power.

All radio and television programing is interrupted with break in updates of the storm’s path, and the devastation it is leaving in its wake. We hunker down, say our prayers, hug our kids, pet the dog, and hope that it is all soon over. And it is.

In the aftermath we walk with wonder back into the bright sunshine and witness the indiscriminate rearranging of things by a power we have absolutely no control over whatsoever.

How insightful that the Psalmist would liken the Voice of the Lord to a mighty thunder storm! Here, you can read it for yourself and see what I mean:

“Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!" The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

In what ways has your life be rearranged by a thunderstorm of God’s Voice? And, in the aftermath, how did it bless you with strength and peace?
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