In the last few days northern Illinois has had some impressive thunderstorms with tornadoes, flooding and power outages. I have not yet been affected, but they aren’t over yet. More are expected tonight and tomorrow, with heavy rain, damaging winds, quarter-sized hail and isolated tornadoes. Following that we will have oppressive heat and dangerous humidity.
I love storms: the feel of the wind as it whips the trees from side to side, the sight of lightning and boom of thunder, the scent of the earth when the storm passes.
But I’m not a fan of danger. Storms can include tornadoes: stealthy, unexpected and damaging. Not exactly safe.
But then I remember:
The power of the storm is no match for the power of the Lord of the storm.
The Psalmist says it:
Lightning and hail, snow and foggy mists, violent winds all respond to His command.
Psalm 148:8 The Voice
Jesus proves it:
With great authority Jesus rebuked the howling wind and surging waves, and instantly they became calm.
Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you fearful? Have you lost your faith in me?”
Shocked, they said with amazement to one another,
“Who is this man who has authority over winds and waves that they obey him?”
Luke 8:24b-25 The Passion Translation
So I choose to have faith, because, in my experience:
You have been a fortress-protector for the poor,
a mighty stronghold for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the sudden storm, and a shade from the shimmering heat of the day.
Isaiah 25:4a TPT
Exactly what is needed in these days of storm and heat.
With the power of God within us, we need never fear the powers around us.
Woodrow Kroll
He knows when we go into the storm,
He watches over us in the storm,
and He can bring us out of the storm
When His purposes have been fulfilled.
– Warren W. Wiersbe
(I don’t think we are talking just about the weather anymore.)