The Voice of The Lord in a Storm

Psalms 29:1–11
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This Psalm is a majestic description of the omnipotence of God. David, perhaps seated in his palace, sees a tempest coming out of the Mediterranean sea and sweeping across Palestine. In it we can see how the God who is able to cause havoc in the thunderstorms is also able to bring peace in the midst of the storm (vv. 1-4). David describes how the fierce raging storm as it breaks over Lebanon and Hermon makes the mighty cedars bend like spaghetti (vv. 5-9) . The voice of the Lord strikes with lightning bolts. The cedars of Lebanon were giant trees that often grew to 120 feet tall and 30 feet in circumference. A voice that could break the cedars of Lebanon would be a very powerful voice (vv. 10-11).

Beneath the storm clouds the earth shakes as the lightning flashes and the winds blow but above these clouds everything is at peace. This pictures the storms of life of which no one is exempt. They sweep in with great fury and power as they sweep away family, fortune and friends. God uses the storms of life to test us. What He really wants is for us to dwell in Him above the storms. Things may look very black down here but nothing can disturb God’s throne above the clouds. God rules forever supreme over nature. He still cares for His own (v. 11).

The power that can raise a storm is available to benefit those who trust in Him. Just as God can cause a storm to be still, so can He bring calm to His people. Jesus’ miracles over nature, especially calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:37-39) demonstrate that all power was given to Him. We can either experience the force of God’s wrath or the peace of His salvation.

Application

When the storms of life come, and I can be sure that they will, where do I run to for shelter?  Do I depend on the feeble efforts of man or the strong arms of God to help me?