The Voice of the LORD
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As I write this reflection, a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect. My mind races back to leap day of 2012, when my extended family’s hometown of Harrisburg was hit by a major tornado. It was a deadly storm that came in the middle of the night while people were asleep in their beds. We already lived in Alton at the time but I went to Harrisburg a few days afterwards with another firefighter from the AFD to help with the clean-up. The effects of the storm were awesome as signs of its power were all over the place. Debris scattered everywhere as homes and businesses were ravaged with many sites laid barren from its devastating power. Even though the storm’s destruction made national headlines, many won’t remember as time goes on. Those who were touched by it and lived through its aftermath won’t soon forget. Dear people lost their physical lives and are still missed by many of us today. While the town eventually recovered and rebuilt, it was shook in a massive way by that storm. Moments like that remind people of the things that truly matter most in life.
In Psalm 29, David uses the imagery of a storm to describe the voice of the LORD. A storm is a powerful image when you think of what it can do. David says that the LORD is greater than a storm with unmatched power. His authority is eternal and over all things. All of His means and ends are glorious. David says these things should cause the LORD’s people to ascribe Him glory and give them strength and peace.
Strength and peace are some of the last things on my mind when a storm is about. Storms have the power to make me downright humbled and scared. The storms of life don’t have to be weather related. Each of us face things that will shake us to our core and cause a flood of anxiety. The voice of the LORD is paramount and more awesome. The voice of the LORD has the power to restore our faith and encourage us in the midst of fear. The voice of the LORD reminds us that eternal security with Christ Jesus is greater than any physical catastrophe we may encounter. The voice of the LORD reminds us of the things that truly matter most.
In Mark 4, we see Jesus was with His disciples in the midst of a storm. The disciples were afraid of drowning. When they saw Jesus sleeping, they awoke Him questioning why He wasn’t afraid for them. In that moment, Jesus spoke three words – “Peace, Be still!” Do you know what happened next? The storm obeyed His voice. The disciples were so amazed by this that they no longer feared the wind and waves but instead were terrified in the presence of the One who could speak such things that even the storm obeyed Him. Wow! The disciples had so much more to experience with Jesus before they would know just how much the LORD over that storm loved each of them so dearly. They would need to witness Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the power of His Spirit before they themselves could truly live those three words as the storm did.
As powerful as a storm can prove to be, how much greater is the LORD over the storms! His voice thunders with power and majesty. His voice speaks peace in the appearance of chaos. The voice of the LORD is like a flashing light and shaking sifter that guides us to know and enjoy Him. His voice has eternal restorative consequences. Right now, we can find strength and peace in the LORD because Jesus makes good on His words of peace and His perfect love drives out all fear. May the voice of the LORD storm our hearts in this moment blessing us with His strength and peace! May we be still and know that He is God! At the sheer thought of Him, may our hearts scream “Glory!” Jesus is the King of Glory forever!
Grateful and hopeful in Christ,
Jon