THE GOD WHO THUNDERS

(Psalm 29)

...Have you ever found yourself right in the middle of a fierce thunderstorm? If so, you know the _setting__

    of this wonderful Psalm.

...Spurgeon suggested that, “Just as the 8th Psalm is to be read by moonlight, when the stars are bright, as the

   19th Psalm needs the rays of the rising sun to bring out its beauty, so this Psalm can be best understood beneath the dark clouds of a storm...”

...David wrote this reminding us that _nature___ is not an independent agency moving and acting according to its own laws, but rather is controlled by God. This is God’s _world__, and He reveals Himself to us in it.

    God is not only “seen” in creation, He is also “heard.”

THREE PARTS OF A PRAISE PSALM CALLING US TO GIVE “GLORY” TO ALMIGHTY GOD.

...For God makes Himself heard in the language of _thunder___ and reveals Himself in the storm.

I.     A CALL IS GIVEN TO THE ANGELS TO HELP IN THE PRAISING OF GOD. (vv 1-2)

            A. The scene is in heaven. David calls upon “the sons of God” to ascribe praise.

                        1. This is very unusual, for angels give their very existence for the praise of God.

                        2. It is _people__ that need to be encouraged to praise the Lord.

            B. Why are the angels needed for this? It is because David feels that his praise and the praise of other mere human beings is _not__  _enough__. It is not adequate.

                        1. The majesty of God is so great, as revealed in the coming storm, the entire created order

                            must join in.

                        2. David’s appeal to the angels does tell us something significant about worship.

                                    a. “Ascribe” is to acknowledge God’s supreme worth with our _minds__.

                                    b. “Worship” (v 2) is the Hebrew word for “bowing down.”  This means

                                        subordinating our _wills__ (and minds) to Him.

II.     A DESCRIPTION OF A PASSING STORM IS GIVEN IN WHICH GOD’S

         GLORY AND STRENGTH ARE REVEALED.  (vv 3-9)

...This storm is seen in three movements...

            A. The storm gathers power over the Mediterranean Sea, before coming to shore in full fury. (vv 3-4)

                        1. The _emphasis__ is upon “the voice of the LORD.”

                             ...This is thunder!!

                        2. This short Psalm mentions the Lord’s name 18 times in 11 verses. Here “the voice of the LORD” occurs 7 times, poetically picturing rapid peals of _thunder_.

            B. The storm moves over land, Lebanon, and causes great damage, smashing the cedars of Lebanon.

                        1. These trees were a symbol of _strength__ in the ancient world. Yet, they are nothing before the Lord.

                        2. This storm is so fierce, even the _mountains_  tremble.

            C. The storm finally moves to the south over the desert (Kadesh). (vv 8-9) “twists the oaks...”

                        1. The reaction of those who witnessed this storm in Jerusalem, was to shout “_Glory_!!” (v9)

                            ...This revealed the power of God’s voice: in _creation_, in sustaining His world, in

                                regeneration of lost men and women.

III.    A CONCLUSION IS RENDERED, GOD REMAINS THE ENTHRONED KING OF

          THE UNIVERSE.  (VV 10-11)

            A. The storm has now passed, the land and people were shook, but _not__ the Lord.  He is in

                  _control_ of all things, and has always been.

            B. The Lord “sat” over the flood... points back to the _Genesis__ flood.  God’s judgment fell

                 upon the earth. A great storm...

                 ...Every storm is a reminder of Noah’s and should _warn__ people about God’s coming judgment.

            C. Yet, on earth, God does have a _people__ with whom He shares His strength and blesses

                  with _peace__.  Wow!

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1. You and I live in God’s world.

2. The next time you are in a thunderstorm, let it remind you of God’s power.

3. Storms should be a reminder of God’s judgment both past and future.

4. The same power that makes thunder is the power that gives strength and peace to His people.

5. Only the saved will pass through the coming judgment.