“Hurricanes bash, batter, battle, beat, wallop, pound, clobber and destroy whatever they pass over and through as perilous storms. Thankfully we do not experience them here at Chilliwack,” I told Ed yesterday. We did have a significant thunderstorm erupt after some rumbles of thunder last evening. At dark, the sky was illuminated with lightning, and then pet frightening; crashes, cracks, rolls, and peals of thunder and pouring rain developed. There was no ignoring this thunderstorm. Thankfully, no wind gusts like Hurricane Dorian displayed.
Ed, my old neighbour in Saskatchewan, said that if we didn’t get hail, I shouldn’t even mention a typical thunderstorm. He noted that Hurricane Dorian is worth talking about because in the Bahamas it was too big and powerful to endure. With Dorian, folks needed to get out of the way and stay away until the storm was over.
For once I agreed with Ed and said, “You cannot ride out every storm
And everyone knows even a short person can get hit by lightning if he is the tallest thing on a bare prairie. Get inside if there are thunder and lightning. Remember the power of a hurricane when you think you’re too busy to take cover. How quickly raindrops on the windshield become a storm gone out of control with the roll of thunder, lightning strikes and heavy rain or hail.”
When folks are told to evacuate for a hurricane, or rising waters of a flood some will not leave. Some of them will not make it through the danger. Natural disasters may be a warning that we need to return to the power and love of our God. When we feel that we do not need God, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc., remind us how powerless we are against such events. Many in disasters do see God’s saving hand at work in their lives while death and destruction rage about them. God is ready to help us when we are willing to admit we need and want His help.
Is God described in scripture, like thunder and lightning, to remind us of His Divine power? John saw in his vision, flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, coming from God’s throne in heaven. When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on the mountain, there was thunder and lightning with a thick cloud over the top of the mountain. Everyone in the camp trembled at the sight.
Sometimes in the Old Testament thunder was part of God’s help and salvation for his people. When Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. The Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so they were routed before Israel.
We watch the sky to see what weather is developing, while storm warnings give us a chance to prepare for the worst possible situation. Who would ignore a hurricane coming towards them? God should not be overlooked for Jesus is returning to earth, and every eye will see him. At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians)
