By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #258 ~
A huge, potentially catastrophic storm could be heading to Tampa, the worst in over 100 years. Here in Tampa, we are listening to meteorologists, and looking at spaghetti models, storm tracks, wind speeds and possible rain amounts, etc. But only God knows exactly where it will go and what will happen, and that’s because He has planned it all out – it is His storm and it is for His purposes and glory. And what God really wants is for both believers and non-believers to get their eyes off the storm and on Him, to see that He is God, that He is powerful and holy, and that He can do whatever He wishes. And He wants us to bow down to Him, to humble ourselves in His presence. So pray for us in west central Florida that we would be humble, would draw close to Him, would trust Him, and that He would protect us, and show us His mercy and grace.
I have printed out Job 37 which, in my opinion, is the best weather chapter in the Bible. I love it, for it tells us about God, the weather, and lessons we need to learn. I strongly encourage you to read the entire chapter, and note what it says. In particular, look at vs. 7, that God stops us in our work, and that is sure true in Tampa. Look at vss. 12-13, that God brings the storm to either punish or show love. Look at vs. 14, that God wants us to stop and consider His wonders, to think about Him and His awesome power and glory. Look at vs. 24, the bottom line, the most important lesson, that God wants the weather to cause us to revere Him, to fear Him.
JOB 37
“At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of His voice,
to the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
3 He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of His roar;
He thunders with His majestic voice.
When His voice resounds,
He holds nothing back.
5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
He does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7 So that everyone He has made may know His work,
He stops all people from their labor.
8 The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;
He scatters his lightning through them.
12 At His direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever He commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,
or to water His earth and show His love.
14 “Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God’s wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes His lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join Him in spreading out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 “Tell us what we should say to Him;
we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should He be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north He comes in golden splendor;
God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress.
24 Therefore, people revere Him,
for does He not have regard for all the wise in heart?
P.S. Here are four previous posts that all relate to hurricanes, storms, and difficult times, and the purposes God has for them. “A Hurricane is Coming – Be Ready, Watching, and Working”, and “The Alarm is Ringing! Wake Up America! The Storm is Coming!”, and “A Big Storm is Coming, and I Don’t Mean Hurricane Irma”, and “When the Storms Come, Don’t Be Afraid.”