When Storm Clouds Swirl Around You

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth. (PS 97:2-5)

A few years ago, some friends and I got caught in a sudden thunderstorm while fishing in aluminum canoes in the center of a wide stream. Lightning was flashing and thunder was crashing all around us. We were the tallest things around: human lightning rods. I was terrified. It did wonders for my prayer life – temporarily. Fortunately we were able to paddle to safety without being struck.

Psalm 97 paints the reign of Jesus over the earth as a terrifying storm. Huge thunderheads roll over the land – thick, swirling, dark clouds. Flames of fire and bolts of lightning flash forth and light up the entire world. The very ground quakes at the coming of Christ. The mighty Himalayas, Rockies and Andes mountains melt away like wax before his powerful presence. Jesus is the omnipotent, mysterious, awesome ruler of the earth. He’s too glorious for human eyes to look upon so he clothes himself in clouds. He’s too deep and mysterious to probe so he surrounds himself with darkness.

I’m so glad for the second part of verse 2: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Christ’s “throne” is his reign or rule. This verse means that Christ’s rule flows out of his character, which is righteous and just. His reign is founded upon righteousness and justice. He will never do anything unrighteous or unjust. Whatever Christ does is only loving and kind and good, even when he brings fearful judgments on the earth or visits trials on our lives.

What a comfort this is to believers. Sometimes God’s ways seem mysterious and fearful. Sometimes we feel like clouds and thick darkness are swirling all around us. Lightning bolts are flashing and the very ground we’re standing on is shaking.

Yet even when we can’t understand the Lord’s workings we can know and declare, “Lord Jesus, praise you that you reign in righteousness and justice. Thank you that all you do in my life flows out of your holy and just character. Blessed be your Name.”

Why not take a few seconds right now to praise him for his perfect wonderful rule in your life?

Photo by Axel Rouvin