The Thunderbolt
Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?
Job 38:25–27
+
The Thunderbolt
If you have ever been out in a field when a lightning storm rolls in you know the fear it can cause. It is unpredictable and deadly. Yet with these storms also comes the rain. God reminds us in these verses that He is all-powerful and does not need our help in running His creation and at the same time He is compassionate and caring. The rains come and deliver much-needed life to the land. Stand in that same field after the lightning and rains have passed and you can smell the renewal of life. The freshness and revitalization of the grass and flowers are evident. God does not hold back in His blessings even bringing these blessings to places where people are not found. The cactus flower blooms in the desert because God sends the rains. So it is with us as well. We live in a desolate world deprived of God’s truth due to our own hardness of heart. Yet like a thunderbolt out of nowhere faith comes to us. He sends His Holy Spirit through His Word and Sacraments to bring life to a barren soul. The torrents of Baptismal blessings cascade over us washing away the death of sin and bringing salvation in Christ Jesus. And as we stand in the aftermath of this storm of blessing the renewal of life is evident. We are changed and the image of God is partially restored. Christ’s work on the cross is credited to us, and we live in the newness of abundant life in Him.
Job 38:25–27
+
The Thunderbolt
If you have ever been out in a field when a lightning storm rolls in you know the fear it can cause. It is unpredictable and deadly. Yet with these storms also comes the rain. God reminds us in these verses that He is all-powerful and does not need our help in running His creation and at the same time He is compassionate and caring. The rains come and deliver much-needed life to the land. Stand in that same field after the lightning and rains have passed and you can smell the renewal of life. The freshness and revitalization of the grass and flowers are evident. God does not hold back in His blessings even bringing these blessings to places where people are not found. The cactus flower blooms in the desert because God sends the rains. So it is with us as well. We live in a desolate world deprived of God’s truth due to our own hardness of heart. Yet like a thunderbolt out of nowhere faith comes to us. He sends His Holy Spirit through His Word and Sacraments to bring life to a barren soul. The torrents of Baptismal blessings cascade over us washing away the death of sin and bringing salvation in Christ Jesus. And as we stand in the aftermath of this storm of blessing the renewal of life is evident. We are changed and the image of God is partially restored. Christ’s work on the cross is credited to us, and we live in the newness of abundant life in Him.
Recent
Archive
2022
January
In One SpiritHe is ComingA Light for the NationsDepart in PeaceThe BenedictionWise Men SeeTrusting in the EmptinessWilted BlossomsConceiving TroubleWhat Comfort?SolaceWorn OutTorn With WrathLike a WarriorA Pure PrayerHeavenly WitnessA Ready GraveA Pledge for YouA Byword of the PeoplesHold OnNight into DayWhere is My Hope?Into the DustHunting for WordsOur Own FlameCaught in a TrapDeath ConsumesTo Know GodMy ErrorsNo JusticeHe Has Taken the Crown
February
No AnswerForsakenRock BottomRedemption!The Root of the MatterDo You Not Know?Fly AwayBittersweetUpon the RiversConstant CravingsBurning AngerEnduring WitnessesGod’s PortionKeep ListeningThe Rod of GodIs Not Their Prosperity in Their Hand?The Lamp of the WickedEqualizationThe House of the PrinceEmpty NothingsProfitable to GodOutward AppearancesWater Covers YouWhat Does God Know?Foundations Washed AwayConsumed by the FireGold and SilverLife Up Your Face to God
March
He Saves the LowlyBitter ComplaintsOur CaseIn the Greatness of His PowerFaithful EyesUnchangeableNo Fear of the DarknessTimes of JudgementGleaning the VineyardThe Soul of the WoundedRebelling Against the LightMorningBroken TreesBrought Low and Gathered UpPeace in the High HeavensA Dimming MoonEnough!Sheol and AbaddonThe Boundary Between Light and DarknessFleeing SerpentMy Bitter SoulAltogether VainDust and SilverReaping the WhirlwindAn End to DarknessThe Hidden ThingsTrue WisdomThe Place of UnderstandingBehold, the Fear of the LordDays Gone ByTo Be Called Blessed