“And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder…” Rev 14:2

Recently I experienced a sudden and absolutely incredible rainstorm. I was outside and taking shelter from the torrential downpour under a building when I heard the most massive peal of thunder I have in a long, long time. It was the kind that seems to shake the whole earth, rattles your bones and snaps your whole being into attention with a thrilling mixture of terror and wonder. Immediately I thought of how the Bible compares God’s voice to the sound of loud thunder. Those massive thunderclaps must have the closest effect to the arresting, terrifying, awe-inspiring voice of God. (Job 40:9, Psalm 29:3, 77:18, 104:7, Rev 14:2)

When we sit with someone and speak a few simple words about Christ, about his death, resurrection, and about sin and repentance, can our feeble words carry the same arresting, bone-shaking weight as the thunderous booming of the voice of God himself?? Yes!!

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor 5:20)

His simple, foolish, often smirked or laughed at news has the power to arrest hearts and save them. Our work starts by simply choosing to believe that. (John 6:29) He is calling out to people through his Spirit, jolting them out of their complacency, religiosity, self-righteousness, and despair, and calling them into his kingdom of light, love, and mercy. His voice is also like the sound of many rushing waters, flooding lives and hearts with grace and kindness. And he can pour out his truth and salvation upon dry and dark places suddenly, when we least expect it.

And when we see his grace dawn in the hearts of people who have lived their whole lives in spiritual slavery and fear, it is a fabulous sight.

As Psalm 29 encourages us to do, let’s use our faith to acknowledge and affirm God’s strength, glory, and splendor.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders.

The Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is majestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; The Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon…

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning…

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert…

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and stips the forests bare…

And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

And this same God sits enthroned over the flood as King forever, and

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace! (Psalm 29)