“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.” Psalm 29:3
October 3, 2022
Hurricane Ian roared ashore on the southwestern coast of Florida leaving devastation and massive cleanup in its wake. It is said to be one of the strongest and costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. The Bible is filled with storms with stories to tell. God used storms to demonstrate His majesty and power (Habakkuk 3, Job 40). Psalm 29, in one of the finest poems in the Bible, is a storm-inspired song of praise to God. In the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “the verses march to the tune of thunderbolts, God is everywhere conspicuous, and all the earth is hushed by the majesty of his presence.” You are invited to read all eleven verses. They tell us that storms call for our worship of the King of creation. Lest we cower before alleged climate change catastrophes, storms come from the hand of God. They communicate eternally valuable lessons. God’s sovereignty, power, and judgment come to our attention. Window rattling thunder is the voice of God, poetically speaking, carrying a reminder of the final judgment. At the same time storms can be an encouragement to God’s people. Displays of God’s power in nature tell us that His power is available to benefit those who trust in Him, as is His peace, “The Lord will bless His people with peace” (29:11). God remains calmly in control as ever. H
A time to carry God’s peace to others: (1) Intercede on behalf of those ravaged by storms. (2) Give financially to worthwhile humanitarian efforts. (3) Prepare for the greatest disaster of all which is living and dying without God’s strength and peace in Jesus Christ.