The Thundering Sovereignty of God

Lear and Fool in Storm, William Dyce, 1851 Scottish National Gallery

Last night I finished reading, dimmed my light, piled up my pillows, and snuggled under my blankets. Often a M*A*S*H DVD distracts me from nagging aches. But this night a storm broke overhead.

I just listened to peals of thunder, the clangor of monster iron bells, the roar of rain falling like Niagara.

 I tried to imagine what it would be like to be out in the storm, like old King Lear. Native Americans in their teepees were more integrated into their environment than I in my climate controlled hobbit hole.

Thunder in Scripture

This morning I did a search of the NRSV for “thunder*”: 48 hits in 45 sections.

• Thunder as theophany: Exodus 19.16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
• Thunder as the voice of God: Ps 29.3  The voice of the LORD is over the waters; /      the God of glory thunders, /      the LORD, over mighty waters. Psalms 29:3 (NRSV)
• Thunder routing enemies: 1 Samuel 7.10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel; but the LORD thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel.
• Thunder authenticating the prophet: 1 Samuel 12.17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that the wickedness that you have done in the sight of the LORD is great in demanding a king for yourselves.
• Thunder as Mystery of God: Job 26.14 These are indeed but the outskirts of his ways; / and how small a whisper do we hear of him!  / But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

This is a quick little survey. The thing is, I’m intrigued by the instances of

Secret Thunder.

• At Massah Test City, Meribah Quarrel Capital: Psalm 81.7 In distress you called, and I rescued you; / I answered you in the secret place of thunder; / I tested you at the waters of Meribah. The Israelites complained about the lack of water (Exodus 17) and the renal diet (Numbers 20), this after God defeated the Egyptians, parted the Red Sea, and provided manna and quail.
• The Seven Secret Thunders: Revelation 10:3-4  [The angel] gave a great shout, like a lion roaring. And when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.
  

   

The Sovereignty of God

The majesty of last night’s cannonade brought to mind the sovereignty of God. The Almighty does as the Almighty chooses, and humans have little say in the matter.

Deep calls to deep
at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
have gone over me.

Ps 42.7 

Even though I’m a “with” character, Sandy’s the star above the title, I’m aggravated to say the least. I could ask, “Why me/us?” The answer to that whiny query  is “Why not me/us?” Billions of people in this world go without the basics. Many have renal disease and no medical care at all. So scratch ”Why me/us?” It’s-useless rant. If you must, give it a minute or two and move on.

God doesn’t tell us why. God calls us to be faithful.

In the end I thought of an old hymn. Martin Luther King Jr. refers to it in his speeches, which I’m reading in A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. Surely his life makes visible the sovereignty—or better,  the providence—of God. The old hymn?

I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll.
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which almost conquered my soul.
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, bidding me still to fight on.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

You can listen: No, Never Alone

 In the end thunder and lightning remind me, the lives of me and mine, of all the beloved community, are held in everlasting arms of infinite mercy, grace, and love. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.”

John 10:27-29 (NRSV)