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
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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.
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