And I am sure that most of you were taught to sit down and be still during a thunderstorm because, "The LORD is doing HIS work," or some other phraseology from the adults around you that meant, "Be still and be quiet!" That kind of thunderstorm commands and gets respect, doesn't it? Uhm, hmm, well, here is something for you to ponder on:
- Your Boss - When your boss on the job decides that you need a dressing down, you take it, don't you? Yes, most likely, you do. Why, because he has the power of firing you and you need that job because jobs are scarce. So, you give him respect and try to stay under his radar because you know what he can do if he decides to put his firing power to use.
- GOD - Now what did you say that you did during a thunderstorm? And why? Uhm, hmm, well just remember that the voice that thunders until it makes you shake belongs to GOD and that HE can do anything HE chooses. HE can do much more than your boss ever could. He can thunder until your bones rattle, HE can send a wildfire (several in fact at the same time), He can send two hurricanes to the land at the exact same time, He can cause rivers to overflow their banks at record levels, He can put a wild beast (tiger) loose in the area usually inhabited by men, etc. Oh yeah, sort of like some of the things that have been happening in our land... Hmm, gives me pause for thought; how about you?
Here Is My Point
If you were the men in the Bible (scriptures listed below) that saw the visions and heard the thunderous voice of GOD as they did, what would you do? Yeah, you would fall on your face just as they did; that's what you would do. Why, because that voice, that fire that often came with it, commanded your respect! That's why. I am not blaming you because I would do the same thing. But, here's the thing, I am not going to wait until I see a fiery vision or can understand what the thunder is saying before I decide to give HIM the respect that HE is due. I am going to get myself in line if I am not already, and stay there! It is not going to take anything else for me to do the right thing and give HIM the honor and respect that HIS omnipotence commands. No, siree, not me. Uhn, uhn, nope, not this one!
Ezekiel 43
Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing toward the east;2 and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. 3 And it was like the appearance of the vision which I saw, like the vision which I saw when He came to destroy the city. And the visions were like the vision which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face.
Job 37“At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place.
2 “Listen closely to the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.
3 “Under the whole heaven He lets it loose,
And His lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 “After it, a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard.
5 “God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’
7 “He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work.
8 “Then the beast goes into its lair
And remains in its den.
9 “Out of the south comes the storm,
And out of the north the cold.
10 “From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
11 “Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
12 “It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
That it may do whatever He commands it
On the face of the inhabited earth.
13 “Whether for correction, or for His world,
Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.14 “Listen to this, O Job,
Stand and consider the wonders of God.
15 “Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His cloud to shine?
16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,
The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
17 You whose garments are hot,
When the land is still because of the south wind?
18 “Can you, with Him, spread out the skies,
Strong as a molten mirror?
19 “Teach us what we shall say to Him;
We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.
20 “Shall it be told Him that I would speak?
Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?21 “Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies;
But the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 “Out of the north comes golden splendor;
Around God is awesome majesty.
23 “The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.
24 “Therefore men fear Him;
He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”
Psalm 18:13
13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
Job 40:9
9 “Or do you have an arm like God,
And can you thunder with a voice like His?
Ezekiel 3:23
23 So I got up and went out to the plain; and behold, the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory which I saw by the river Chebar, and I fell on my face.
Ezekiel 1:28
28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.
Yes, fellowman, I played to the dramatic a bit this morning, but in the times of our lives right now, the dramatic might be just what is in order. Well! So, let's all get our do-right shoes on and step on.
Keep Stepping Fellowman
Keep stepping until
We meet in glory land
Because that is where
Everything will play out
And the lives that we
Lived here will determine
Our final whereabouts.
Capeesh?©
Be safe.
Walking by faith,
Alma L. Stepping On Carr-Jones
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