The world in which we live exalts science and its achievements.
Humankind can seemingly do almost anything. We can talk on our cell phones around the world; we can explore the depths of the oceans; and we can travel on land, on sea and in the air. As a result, many people feel that God is irrelevant and, at best, not actually necessary.
But even if the world does acknowledge that God exists, it says he is usually silent and cannot be known or heard.
Therefore, they conclude, God just doesn’t mix in the equation of life and living.
As Christians, we need to be careful that we are not influenced by our secular world and its logic. It would help us to listen to what the psalmist said: “The voice of the Lord is powerful.” (Psalm 29:4) He made it clear that God has some impressive ways to make us realize his presence. For example, the thunder that we often hear on stormy occasions certainly gets our attention.
It seems to me that what David was describing in his psalm is an audible and often visible expression of God’s awesome power. Rather than lamenting its sounds and fearing its strike, for David, it was a call to worship. It is a call to recognize that God alone rules the universe, but He also gives strength to His people.
If, on occasion, you feel that God is far off somewhere, that he is removed from your life and living, only listen to the thunder and look at the lightening. Think of it as the very voice and presence of God speaking to you and me with great power and majesty.
Let our hearts and minds be open to recognize the reality, the presence and the power of God’s spirit in our lives. May we allow our hearts and minds to be open to hear God’s voice so that we are not deaf to God’s call that so easily gets drowned out by the din of everyday living.