God's Light Show

“Just look at the lightening, His sky filling light show, illuminating the dark depths of the sea! These are symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, His loving care.”
“And, yes, it’s God who fills clouds with rainwater and hurls lightening from them every which way. He puts them through their paces – first this way- then that, commands them to do what He says all over the world. Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, He makes sure they make their mark.”
Job 36:30-33; 37:11-13

We’ve probably all sang the children’s songs about the rain. Songs like, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.” I’ve heard it said that when you see lightening and rain along with sunshine, it means the devil is beating his wife. These are just silly things people have come up with over the years. People with too much free time on their hands, I might add.

As I read these verses in Job, I couldn’t help but smile and wonder how often we actually see rain and lightening as “symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, or His loving care”. Sometimes rain can be inconvenient, as it can altar plans that have been made. Sometimes, it can be dangerous, causing flash flooding, and, we all know, that lightening can be fatal. Unless you live in Georgia these days, however, how often do we see it and think of it as His “grace or extravagant love” for us?

Job 27:13, speaking of lightening, says “whether for discipline, grace or extravagant love, He makes sure they make their mark”. At first glance, we could wonder why He would choose these three words together as a description, but as I pondered it further, I came to realize something.

We all know what extravagant love is. We may not all be able to comprehend it, but we understand what it conveys. Grace is us getting what we do not deserve, and, again, I can understand why it would go hand in hand with extravagant love. Then there’s discipline. For many of us, discipline doesn’t bring the same “warm and fuzzy” feelings that extravagant love and grace bring. Discipline is a strong word that denotes authority and power, but Hebrews 12:6 says that “God chastens those He loves”. I smiled as I was reminded that discipline, although it can be harsh, is something God does that conveys His love to us. I discipline my children because I love them and want what’s best for them. Even more so, Christ does the same for His children.

It made sense to me. I could see why the writer would say that lightening is a symbol is His sovereignty, His generosity, and His loving care,” and then emphasize it with the reminder that “whether for discipline (which is always done in perfect love), grace, or extravagant love, He makes sure that they make their mark.” He is sovereign, He is generous, and He loves us extravagantly. We can see it through His grace, and, yes, we can see it through His discipline.

So, next time you see rain or lightening, take a moment to enjoy God’s “sky filling light show”. It really doesn’t get better than that and there is no admission fee!

Lord, thank you for your Sovereignty. Thank you that nothing catches you by surprise. Thank you for the symbols, even in the storms of life, that remind us that You are in complete control and you deeply love us.

In Him ~