Ps 29:4, 7&8 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic… The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

Thunderstorms and lightning are part of nature. Watching rolling clouds become ominous with streaks of lightning and sheets of rain, we get a tiny glimpse of God. Storms can also be emotional, spiritual, mental or physical. But I think nature’s storms display the power of his creative genius.  If nothing else, they get our attention.

Think about how many times God told you to do something. Perhaps something big like taking on a new ministry or something small like giving $5 food gift cards to the homeless, and you said, “No.” When did you finally give in and do as God requested? Did it take a “storm” for you to obey? Sometimes we need a little “nudge” to obey but God’s love and gentleness shines through every storm of life.

A storm may not show us a sweet and comforting God. David heard God’s voice in the storm and knows the one who creates storms can calm them. He leaped into praise and adoration at that realization. His praise is God-centered, and focused on how God reveals his glory in his many attributes and works. When you come to the realization of how awesome God’s power is will you praise him? Focus on the next storm you see. Do you hear the voice of God?