Last night as Jack and I took our final walk of the day, the skies were lighting up like I’d never seen before. Chaotic lightning illuminated only the tops of a wild-looking cloud cover that spread from west to east, bursting bright as much as remaining dark. Jack and I stood in one spot for quite a while, mesmerized by the dramatic display.
Lightning fascinates us because of its power, and most of us were raised to respect it. Dad told us never to run under a tall tree for shelter since “lightning searches for a way to get to the ground and will strike the highest point in its path.” We all took him seriously when he said, “Run home instead.”
As Jack and I walked along looking up, my mind wandered to biblical passages about lightning, and once at home I looked them up. It was fascinating to read about God “owning” lightning. He “scatters it” and “unleashes it” at will. Job 36:32 says, “The Lord fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.”
I learned that God has control of lightning in a place from which he dispenses it and “makes the lightning flash.” I loved Job 38:35 that says all lightning bolts “report to him.”
Although most of us haven’t been struck by lightning, flashes of sudden bad news have hit us with the same kind of force, such as a cancer diagnosis or any other shocking surprise. When we first hear the words, whether in a doctor’s office, on our front doorstep, or over the phone, we feel as blindsided as if a bolt of lightning had gone through us.
Dad told us to “run home” when lightning flashed, and when unwanted news hits, we adults feel like running, too. But where? God has a place. He says, “Run to Me.” As in Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Other translations say he’s “a strong fortress” or “a place of protection.”
In other words, as soon as a lightning burst of terrible news touches us, we should fast-dash to the Lord. He’ll tell us what to think when our minds are swirling and will give instruction on what to do, once we are in his place of emotional safety.
My mini-study of biblical lightning also let me know that in the end times, Jesus will return to earth with “an appearance like lightning.” And this: “As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)
Maybe the dramatic east-to-west display Jack and I witnessed last night was a preview of what the sky will look like when we see Jesus returning to earth! And after that, we’ll never be struck by bad news again.
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)
Praising and Praying with Mary
- Praise for a Michigan sunset tonight
- Praise for a surprise in the mail, another well-stocked chemo care package, sent anonymously
- Pray for eyes to see the good in every day
Margaret, I was just reading about lightening, thunder and hail in one of the 10 plagues the Lord sent to Pharaoh (Getting Closer to God, by Erwin Lutzer). Not able to sleep early this morning I got up to read and also checked your blog. Surprised to see you also wrote about lightening. A family might be dealing with a problem at work because he stood up and told the truth. Your message was spot on in running to God.
Margaret, I love the image of “fast-dashing” to the Lord when lightening strikes in our lives, as well as looking to Him to tell us what to think and do once we are safe in His arms. What a comfort to know that He is sovereign, and has all things under control! We need “only” remember to run to Him and trust Him in the midst of the chaos.
Smiling as I think of the Lord’s return – like a bolt out of the sky! What a wonderful thing to behold. I’ll never think of lightning in the same terms again! Thank you!!!