Scripture: Psalm 18:12-13

Out of the brightness of his presence, clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.

Who says man can't fly?

Have you ever had the feeling that something REALLY BAD is about to happen?

Now, don't get me wrong... I am not a superstitious person - at all. But the scene was set for impending disaster, and there I was... right in the middle of it. I'll tell you all about it.

It was June, 1989. I was working at Teen Challenge of Wyoming, and I had to gas up the van to make what we used to call a, "food run". It was raining very, very hard - as it always seems to do in Wyoming, and thunder and lightning were flying all over the place. I was at the top of the hill, filling the tank of a large metal van, holding the metal handle of a very tall, all metal gas tank... and then the thought came.

"Am I CRAZY??" Yes, I had the very distinct feeling that something was about to happen - and I was not at all pleased to be standing where I was at that moment in time. The very next moment - I was sailing 30 feet through the air - the victim of a near miss lightning strike.

A shocking experience!

I learned, first-hand, about the force, and the strength of lightning. Oh, sure - I have seen it cascade across the open skies for years, and I have witnessed ground strikes on the open plains for just as long... but there's just something about being right next to 200,000 volts of electricity... and being lifted off the ground as a result of that proximity - that somehow changes a person's perception of it all.

I wonder if David was ever hit by lightning? If not, he sure had a clear understanding about the power of it. I cited verses 12 and 13 for our text - but let's take a look at verse 1, too: "I love you, O Lord, my strength."

David starts this psalm, which is a plea for protection, with a note of genuine charity for the Lord. You see, David truly loved the Lord - and he would call upon their relationship now, in his time of need.

I am in awe at the scene depicted in our text. It is a descriptive passage of several characteristics, or attributes of our God. There is brightness - and clouds - hailstones and lightning... and then there is thunder!

The voice of Almighty God... the very same voice that simply spoke, and all things were created, THAT voice levels the foundations of the earth. Who else could have such authority? Who else could have such attributes? None but our God!

I am reminded of the words of Paul, found in Romans 8:31... "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Are there mountains in your life? Do you struggle with the weight of sin, and/or trials and tribulations? Well, the good news is that our God is MORE than able to handle each and every problem. After all, He's God! And with a voice of thunder, and the authority and power of lightning, our God will vigorously and aggressively defend His children! Take heart, our God is for us!

If the force of lightning can throw a man 30 feet through the air, while landing several feet away from him, consider how much more God, the Creator of that lightning, can do with the hard spots in our lives. Now the question becomes not one of ability, but of our being in the position where that lightning can strike. Are we allowing God to have reign in our lives? I know the answer for me... what about you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, how we love you. Please, Lord, bring down the force of your thunderous voice and all-powerful lightning against anything that would stand between me and You. By the power of the Holy Spirit, show me where I am weak, and help me to turn my weaknesses over to you - so that I might be made strong. This I ask, in Jesus' name. Amen.

If you read this devotional, and realized that there is something separating you and the Lord... there are several things you can do.

You can pray. Ask God for the forgiveness that ONLY comes from Him.
You can find out more about a life with the Lord. Try clicking here for a great site that will help.
You can go to a Bible-believing church near you, and ask to speak to the Pastor.
You can E-Mail me, and I will do my best to help you any way possible.

God bless you as you seek to know Him in a deeper way!

Take me back to the Lighthouse. Take me to other devotionals by Eric Reamer. Take me to Eric's list of favorite devotional writers. Take me Back to Eric's Main Page.

Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.