Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, Your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Psalm 77:18
On a recent trip to the mountains I was fortunate to experience an unexpected summer storm. The thunder boomed in the forest and the sky occasionally lit up. I sat with the windows and doors open so I could feel the air move and smell the newly wet ground. It was fabulous. And I thanked God.
Our Jewish brothers and sisters have prayers for even the most unexpected situations, including thunder. This is the verse found in the Mishnah:
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe, whose strength and glory fills the universe.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shekocho ooh g’vuratoh mahlay olam.
This idea of taking a moment to acknowledge God in all things is helpful and a discipline that I want to cultivate. I want to learn how to notice His world around me and let it teach me of Him. My God is majestic and His voice thunders across the earth. He is powerful and His glory is declared in the skies. Thunder reminds me of His great might and my own smallness – and yet He cares for me.
Keep listening to the thunder of His voice and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. Under the whole heaven He lets it go, and His lightning to the corners of the earth. After it His voice roars; He thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, His mighty downpour. Job 37:2-6
