The God of Natural Disasters?

He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends winds, and the ice thaws. He has revealed his words to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations. Praise the Lord! Psalm 147: 15-20 NLT

I can relate to the psalmist when he lists all these different weather patterns: snow, frost, hail, freezing cold, winds, and ice. In the last three weeks we have had snow, straight line winds and fog.

The difference is that I watch the weather patterns and local radar on the Weather Channel. The psalmist watches God. The psalmist attributes all the different weather to God. If God is the creator, then he must be in control of our weather!

In fact, the psalmist sees the destruction of weather (snow and hail for instance) as instruments of God’s punishment. If you think that is old fashioned and not considered these days, you are wrong. We once had a boat to hit and destroy our dock and sea wall at our lake property. The reason? A huge wind and wave caused this to happen. However, because the two fishermen bailed (thank goodness) from the boat before hitting, the insurance company said they would not pay us because they considered this “an act of God.” Really.

There are those who always blame natural disasters on God -- usually as a form of punishment. Yet, we don’t look to God for explanations for other events, natural or not. I don’t believe God uses natural events as punishment but I do believe God can help us create good things even when bad weather strikes. Like the gentleman who helped me get my car up the slushy hill. God is still in control!

Praise the Lord!

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims

What has God done?

Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. He sends his orders to the world -- how swiftly his word flies! Psalm 147: 12-14 NLT

What has God done for the psalmist?

God has strengthened the gates of the city to protect the people within. God has blessed all the children within the city walls. God has made sure that the people throughout the nation are living in peace. God has provided not just enough to eat but the finest foods. God has send God’s orders all around the world and how quickly the nations have heard from God.

What has God done for me?

God has answered my prayers -- specifically, God took away my anger when it felt like it would overwhelm me. God has turned what seemed like a bad thing into something good -- what was a shameful secret is now in the open. God has provided for our family in terms of what we need. God has provided a loving family, friends and church members to support us and journey with us. God is so good!

Now it is your turn. What has God done for you?

God, I glorify you and praise your name! Amen!

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims

Hope

Sing out your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God with a harp. He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in the mountain pastures. He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the ravens when they cry. He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147: 7-11 NLT

What does God really love?

According to the psalmist, God loves it when we fear him. 

The psalmist is not speaking of terror. Instead, the fear for God is a very healthy and loving respect. In fact, the next sentence speaks of putting our hope in God’s unfailing love. That is another way of saying you fear God: you hope in God’s unfailing love.

The interesting thing about hoping in God it is not something you can put your finger on. You can’t measure what you hope for. You can give it words and emotions but not scientific facts. Hope is otherworldly and fragile. Hope can give strength and conviction. To hope in God means to hope in something you cannot even imagine but are assured will happen. 

God, I give you my hope. I hope in your unfailing love. I give you my respect and my life. I am in your hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims

Feeling Brokenhearted

Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust. Psalm 147: 1-6 NLT

I am hanging on to the fact that God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. I guess I am feeling a bit brokenhearted today. You wouldn't know it by the smile on my face (fake) or the clothes I am wearing (nice). But inside, I am torn to pieces.

I am depending on God's strength and healing power. I need to have God's bandages on my wounds right now. I need God's medicine and God's nursing to get me back to health. I am confident that God understands where I am and what has happened in my own life.

I don't think I am into the enthusiastic praise that is coming from the lips of the psalmist today, but I know I will again praise God. I know that when God heals me from the inside out that I will again be among those shouting God's praises.

What are you hanging on today in this scripture?

God, you are so good. You rebuild, heal, bandage, name, understand and support us. We give you thanks and praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims