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Listen while you read: "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah"1 (Lyrics) |
I heard it coming in the distance an hour or so before it arrived in my neighbourhood. At first, it was just a few soft rumbles that gradually increased in volume until finally the storm was right over my house. One thunderclap was so loud that I literally jumped in my seat. Unlike previous storms, which usually moved on in a few minutes, this one stayed for quite a while, as magnificent peals of thunder rolled across the sky, accompanied by bolts of lightning and a downpour of rain. I had a ringside seat as I watched and listened.
It was a majestic and powerful experience. As it continued, I thought of the times in Scripture when God seemed to speak through thunder.
God's voice is described as a sound of thunder. It's so powerful that it can't be contained in the tones used by mere humans.
- Psalm 29:3b-4 – The God of glory thunders. … The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. (NKJV)
- Job 37:2-5 – Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven. … He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. (NKJV)
- Psalm 29:3-4 – The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. (NKJV)
God spoke to people through thunder.
- When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments: "Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off." (Exodus 20:18 NKJV)
- When David was praising God for deliverance from his enemies, he said, "The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice". (Psalm 18:13a NKJV)
- When Jesus was troubled about his coming death, He prayed, "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. (John 12:28-29a NKJV)
God speaks to us today through His Word and the Holy Spirit. But thunder can cause us to look up and remember God's power and His work in nature. It shakes everything and causes us to pause what we're doing — it gets our attention, perhaps even startles us out of our normal everyday experiences. Next time a thunderstorm happens, pause and reflect, and let it be a reminder of God's power and presence in your life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for how thunderstorms display Your power and glory. Help us to use them as a reminder of how You work powerfully in our lives. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Thanks for the comforting words, Sharon.
Amen!
Thank you for sharing this message with us today, Sharon!
Just a thought. I wonder if God would still speak through thunder. I think that it is still possible.
The thunder of God’s voice and action is needed NOW to bring peace in the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. The weather forecaster has a saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors!” To God be the glory! Blessings.
Good morning, Sharon,
This is amazing, I never thought of thunder this way. Thank you for sharing this, wow!!!!
God bless.
Many thanks Sharon for another of your special devotionals. Truly thunder gets our attention and is one more of those very significant creations of our God. We need be ever attentive to Him and very thankful for His ongoing care of us. Blessings for these mindful writings you share.
Hi Sharon,
Having just come through Hurricane Helene, with minimal damage, but with greater awareness of the power of thunder, rain, and storm surge, your devotion really spoke to me.
Thanks so much.
(Florida)
Good morning, Sharon,
I find it interesting that God spoke thunderously many times in the old Testament but only a few times in the New Testament. Of course the time span is also larger in the old Testament.
Thunder does get your attention and definitely God wants us to pay attention to Him and our faith. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. Blessings.
This morning it’s raining softly – the sound is so beautiful. Storms are also so beautiful in their own way. Knowing HIS power is a real game changer (except that unless it’s happening right now we tend to lose its significance – the ‘here and now’ seems to be our everything).
What is so special about all these reflective stories is that they keep me in touch with the TRUTH about all His promises, by the examples in other peoples’ lives. They also serve to bring to my mind the examples of His Presence, His power, and His glory in my own life over the many years that I have ‘known’ HIM. Thank you for the storm story. God bless.