Psalm 68:32-35

“O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies.” vss. 33-34

Today is Constitution Day, or Syttende Mai, in Norway, day of parades, flag waving, and celebration, and a day remembered with affection by Norwegian emigres throughout the world. A few of those scattered ethnic communities may use the occasion to reflect on their heritage and the well-known pantheon of old Norse gods, particularly Odin and Thor. Thor, the god of thunder and lightning, known for his hammer, had his counterpart in the ancient gods of Canaan that were familiar to the psalmist. Of course the psalmist believed that there was but one God, but as he wrote he attached some of the attributes of the storm god to the Lord. When the thunderclouds massed in the sky and thunder shook the earth and lightning flashed it was the Lord riding through the heavens like Thor, a reminder of God’s awesome power and might. We still feel that way on warm summer days when storms are born and clouds begin to build. The massive energy released humbles us and, even though meteorologists can explain with their charts what is happening, the raw power of the explosive winds is for believers a glimpse of our Awesome God. When we get down to it, humans really are pretty puny!

Thought for the Day: How do I feel about thunder and lightning?