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.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Send your feedback to the author