THE FIREWORKS OF ALMIGHTY GOD!

From the top of my townhome tonight, up on the third level, I sat, spellbound. With a perfect view of storms approaching from the west, I could see in the distance a storm brewing. Rather quickly, the clouds, still far away, turned as black as any cloud I have ever seen. It was already an awesome sight; but I was not prepared for what came next.

For an hour...no, for two hours...I witnessed a display of lightning (so very visible from up here in my widow's walk) like I've never seen. Some of it, I think, is because I never got a kick out of being this close to such an electrical storm. Tonight though, as I have already said, I was spellbound.

The accompanying thunder was nearly past description. It rumbled and rumbled. There were a few loud claps, but for the most part, it rumbled long and impressively from east to west and from north to south. (Remember Job 40:9? Do you have an arm like God's, and can your voice thunder like his?) It rained but just briefly. Most of the storm was evidenced by the long, jagged streaks of lightning. (In fact, as I am writing, the lightning continues as does the thunder...I thought it was over!)

But I know why this storm affected me like it did. For a long time now I've been thinking about how the Bible says that God dwells in the thick dark cloud. So, for the past several years, when I would see an unusually dark cloud, especially one sort of sticking out by itself, I had this thought that maybe God was working in the vicinity on a special project...and I always hoped it was one of mine. Now, I still think this is true, not forgetting that God is everywhere! So, the first reason this storm hit me like it did is because I could see that thick black cloud coming, and I couldn't help but wonder if God was at work in particular.

The second reason was because I've been pondering God's mighty power and how He can do anything. As I sat here not moving, watching the incredible lightning seemingly striking not twenty feet from me, and stretching out like a spider web from one horizon to the other, I wondered if there is warfare taking place. I've heard all my life that the battle rages unseen around us and above us. Oh, I know, it was just a storm, Sharon. Or was it?

I got on the internet (when I was sure my computer would not get zapped) and looked up the word lightning in the Bible. I don't need to "commentate" on them. I'll just jot down a few. Oh, and before I forget, after the storm, with spiderweb lightning still flashing, there was the most beautiful rainbow out my back windows that I have ever seen. It was the brightest and the widest ever! I took pictures, but I don't know how they turned out yet. If I even got just one good one, I'll add it later. Here's the verses.

2 Samuel 22:13
Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth.

2 Samuel 22:15
He shot arrows and scattered the enemies , bolts of lightning and routed them.

Psalm 29:7
The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

Ezekiel 1:4
I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light.

Luke 17:24
For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.

Remember that old hymn? God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps on the sea and rides upon the storm! He was in that storm tonight. I beheld one of the most glorious displays of His perfect creation. I was not afraid. Our God is an awesome God!