I grew up near Lake Superior.  It was always both a spectacular and foreboding experience, to watch a thunderstorm coming off the lake. The clouds rolled in, the water churned and the lightening flashed, but most of all the rumble of the thunder was rather foreboding.  The closer the storm came, the louder the thunder.  We know that we needed to “get off” the lake before it was to late.  

In Scripture the mighty voice of God is depicted in the thunder.  His voice is all powerful.  “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (Ps.33:9).  Psalm 29:3-4 describe the awesome power and might of God’s voice.  “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.  The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic” (Ps 29:3-4).  The Palmist pictures the voice coming from heaven.  “The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded” (Ps. 18:13)

The prophets use the image of mighty thunder, to warn their listeners of coming judgment.  Joel is clear in his message. “The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful.  Who can endure it? (Joel 2:11)  But  God will also protect his people when he roars. “The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake.  But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel” (Joel 3: 15-16). 

The prophet Jeremiah was called to prophecy to Judah.  God gave him significant authority. “See, today I appointed you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jer. 1:10).  But God warned him of the people not listening.  “But they will not listen or pay attention: instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.  They went backward and not forward” (Jer. 7:24). 

Jeremiah warned the people of their response to God’s Word.  “The Lord will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land.  He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth.  The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword” (Jer. 25:30-31).  

I wonder if we are not hearing a “distant thunder” during the tumult of our time.  We seem to be going backward rather than forward.  Many “people watchers” can see greater conflict in the days to come.   Instead of pessimism regarding the human condition, we should be praying for the Lord’s intervention in our affairs.  Could there be the sound of God’s thunder in the background?  I wonder!  I certainly am not making a prediction of the coming days.  But I know who hold the future.  The Lord  could be once again shaking to our world.

What would this mean for men?  Here are some of my advice.  First, keep your focus on Jesus and His kingdom.  Secondly, keep praying the way Jesus taught us to pray: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10), Thirdly, ask the Lord for discernment regarding our times. Fourthly, find fellowship with like minded believers and fifthly,  determine with other believers to live as “overcomers” knowing that Jesus has already won and is Lord of history.