I watched the storm clouds percolate into giant towers. A slate gray veil hovered around the base, but the towers grew whiter and brighter as they ascended into the heavens. Within minutes, the slate gray turned to charcoal and spread like ink over our mountain home. The wind kicked up. Rain, driven in sheets, peppered down.
And I rocked on my porch. Thinking.
"I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples." *
Lightning began to snake across the darkened sky. Thunder roared. The earth responded with windswept ripples across the fields of tall grass.
And I rocked on my porch. Thinking.
"The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook." *
The storm rushed in, consuming my attention, but then it was over. Done. Gone. In the distance, another tower percolated in the summer heat. Lightning danced in and out of the slate gray veil, preparing to descend on yet another community. Another life.
A shaft of light broke through the trees and bounced off the purest cobalt blue I've ever seen. It was a bluebird bathing in a puddle. The light reflected brilliantly on its feathers, almost taking my breath away as I pondered the things of God. I thought of the Tabernacle in the wilderness embellished with threads of scarlet, purple, and blue. The blue was to remind the children of Israel of the One True God; it was to carry their thoughts to the splendor of the blue heavens from which He reigns.
Thunder. Lightning. Brilliant blue.
And so it is with us. Storms come and go. Cancer. Unemployment. Divorce. Rebellious children...yes, storms come and go. But, I want you to see the Lord in your storms. He is there. His voice is in the thunder. His consuming fire flashes through the darkness. The earth trembles at His voice in recognition of His sovereignty.
And His child? His child splashes in the puddles left by the storm.
*Psalm 77:11-14, 18
Father, teach us to find You in the storm. Open our ears to hear the voice of Your thunder showing Your might on our behalf. Open our eyes to see Your consuming fire in the lightning, daring the enemy to torment us. You are a great God! You are worthy of our praise. We love You Lord. Bless Your Holy Name!!
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Beautiful, Nan... was there on the rocker with you
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Lvyou!!
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Nan, I needed this today. I know storms come and go, but it doesn't seem like this one is moving out. I know it will eventually, and the light will show forth. But for now, I feel as though I'm continually in the stormy season of life. Thank you for giving hope and encouragement for every step of the journey. Love you, my precious and treasured friend!
ReplyDeleteI love thunder storms. I see God's beauty in every aspect of them, from the electric sizzles to the dark- purple clouds. God is with us in the midst of the storm as He is in the calm. Thanks for sharing this. Love you.
ReplyDeleteYes He is! Thank goodness. I like your phrase, "electric sizzles in the dark". You must be one of those nurses that write :D Love you!
DeleteLoved this one. I've been through many life storms, storms of this world and have come out on the other side, blessed by His rainbow. Reminds me of my Storms of Life novel series. Blessing, my dear friend, Nan. BJ
ReplyDeleteBarb, I'm so glad you stopped by. Thank you. Don't you just love His rainbows?
DeleteI learned something about rainbows this week. May I share? Genesis 9:13-15(NIV)
Delete13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
I realized God not only brought a rainbow that day to be a sign that He will never destroy the earth that way again, but it is also a promise between Him and I that my life will not be destroyed by a flood whether that flood is fear, doubt, despair, or any other storm that comes my way, when clouds appear He will bring a rainbow to remind me of His presence so that I can rest in Him and His love. I have nothing to fear when I put my trust in Him.
Amen Marcie. What beautiful thoughts. Thank you.
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