The Lord Thundered from Heaven

As I sit in the early morning darkness drinking hot coffee and writing this post, I’m listening to the rumbling sounds of thunder.

I didn’t know rain was in the forecast today. But, yes, my iPhone says “thunderstorm.” “Lightening.” “Rain 100% chance.”

For a few minutes there’s stillness. Just the gentle patter of rain. Then suddenly there’s another resounding thunder roll, a flash of lightening, and an unsettling cracking sound.

Storms may cause us to fear. However, when I hear thunder, I think of God. I’m reminded of His awesome power. His creative genius. His majestic position. His unequaled glory. His heavenly dominion. And His supreme sovereignty. Indeed, as Thomas Nashe, Shakespeare’s 16th century contemporary expressed it, “Who heareth the thunder, and thinks not of God?”

The Bible often describes God speaking with the imagery of thunder.

Moses spoke, and God answered Him in thunder” (Exodus 19:19).

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of thunder” (Revelation 14:2).

“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” (Psalm 29:3-4).

The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice.
(2 Sam. 22:14)

Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like His? (Job. 40:9)

I can envision God’s voice like one who speaks from a megaphone to capture our attention. God’s thunder is first used in Exodus 9 to sound a warning to idolatrous Egypt. It was a prelude to impeding judgment. It was a call to Pharaoh to heed Moses’ Divine plea, “Let My people go.” While thunder, lightening and storms are a natural part of our weather system, I wonder if God at times is trying to signal our attention to look up? To look outside ourselves? To give our idols up?  To look to Him who is the Creator? To heed His voice?

Obviously God doesn’t speak directly to us today as He did to the Patriarchs. He does, however, speak through His revealed Word of the apostles and prophets. Sometimes, as I hear the rumbling and unsettling sound of thunder, I can almost hear God calling the world to return to Him.

In the thunder, I hear Him say,

“Repent or perish.”

“Turn from your wicked ways.”

“Obey My commandments.”

“Believe and be baptized.”

“Honor My name.”

“Forsake not the assembly.”

“Worship Me.”

“Serve the Lord your God.”

“Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.”

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“Be kind to one another.”

“Get ready. I am coming again.”

“Prepare to meet your God.”

What do you hear?

The next time thunder shakes you, think of God. Hear His voice. Be reminded of His presence. And be in awe of of His power.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman