Fireworks from Heaven
Judi Wheat / Next Gen Preschool Curriculum Coordinator
“His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.” Psalm 97:4
“But the Lord made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom. With His own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When He speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.” Jeremiah 10:12-13, 12
On July 4th of this year, my husband and I had the privilege of watching the fireworks over the beach in South Carolina. They were beautiful, or as some may say “spectacular.” You could both see and hear the wonder and amazement on the faces and in the voices of the children, as well as the adults, in their “oohs” and “aahs.” It was a time of excitement and celebration.
On the very next day, July 5th, I like to say, “God showed up.” The sky over the ocean and beach became very dark and everything became extremely quiet. Then the wind picked up and the sky opened up with continual lightning, thunder, and rain. The lightning was almost continuous for about 20 minutes, with sizzling sounds and loud thunder. To say it was awe inspiring and spectacular would be an understatement. No fireworks could compare with this heavenly display.
As I watched the whole sky light up and felt the power of the wind, rain, and thunder; I thought about God, our Creator, and our majestic King. Psalm 97: 4 states, “His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.” And in Jeremiah 10:6 we read, “LORD, there is no one like YOU! For You are great, and Your Name is full of power.” And yet, this all powerful and awesome God loves us; He sent His Son to die for us; His power conquered death; and He is returning in the future for His children. Praise His Holy Name! God’s love for us is indescribable.
As the skies returned to normal and the storm went on its way; I could hear the waves crashing along the shores of the beach, making soothing sounds, but at the same time still, somehow, showing the power contained within that ocean bowl. There is just something about the rhythm, the rhythm of the tides, slow and steady and unceasing. And, all this precision, everything underlaid by God’s hand holding it all together in its place.
Just knowing that God’s powerful hand is everywhere, bringing peace and quiet after the storms of life is so reassuring and uplifting to me. And, to know that He loves me/us beyond what we can comprehend, causes me to want/desire to follow Him all the days of my life and to share this awesome God with others.
The best part, after the storm, was the display of God’s promise in the form of a rainbow. God keeps His promises and “His mercies are new every morning.”
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 108:5
Please note: All photos were taken of this storm by photographers from the Pawley Island, SC area.