A large approaching dark storm immediately gives us awareness of our mortality. In human strength and ingenuity we able to accomplish great feats in technological advancements. We also design and construct infrastructure that sustains our legacy goals for a future. However, all that man achieves is put to an end in a moment by earthquake, a hurricane, a tsunami, or tornado to name a few natural forces of creation. In our focus text, it is believed that David was witnessing a great thunderstorm moving across the land of the Canaanites. This marvel of creation inspires him to reflect on the sovereignty of our God over all things to include the kingdoms of man. David rightly observes that Canaan was full of pagans nations who gave glory and credit to false gods (i.e., they worshipped idols) for good they accomplished and experienced. Truly the dead worship the dead. The Psalmist agree, “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human Hans. (16) They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; (17) they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. (18) Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them” (Ps 135:15-18).
Yet, for David, this thunderstorm was reminder there is only one living God, to whom all glory is due. He has authority over all things (even those who reject him). Everything we posses and accomplish is due to His power and providential will. David considered it a “reality check,” to witness the might and destructive nature of such storms. His reflections expands further as he likens its sound and impact as to mighty voice of God. A few observation of his thoughts:
- David reminds us that Heaven’s angels worship the might of God, thus he calls on them “O heavenly beings”, to , “…ascribe to the Lord glory and strength…” (v1).
- David continues, “The voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon…..The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh” (v5-8). Like a storm that is formed, and touches the earth with great might and force to accomplishes the purpose by which it was commissioned, so does God’s word (i.e., voice of the Lord) that goes into the earth. Isaiah declares, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, (11) so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isa 55:10-11). Because of these great displays for God’s glory, the angels in heaven praise his glorious name, thus, “…in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’” (v8).
Reflection: As a Christian we are to join the heavenly host in their worship of the God of all creation. Though we are not immune to the perils of natural disasters, our perspective of them should differ from that of the non-believer. To them, it is reminder of their end, and fragility of the things by which they place their confidence in. But to us (those in Christ), witnessing such things evokes the promise of our future hope. To us, no matter how powerful wickedness of men’s empires grow……no matter how colossal and frightening the storms of life may be, we know the God of heaven is in control of all of them. By the voice of his might, an earthquake can bring the kingdoms of man to end suddenly. This is why we do not place our faith in the ingenuity and wisdom of man, but rather we look forward a new creation to come (cf. Rom 8:18-22). Therefore, we do not deify nor worship the creation (like the Canaanite pagans), but rather set our hope (like David) on the Creator. We will give our heart affections to where they truly belong…… we will worship God as David did, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness” (v2). Amen!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com