I’ve been through two major hurricanes, Category 5 stuff. My first was Hurricane Hugo in Montserrat- September 1989; and I experienced the full blast of Hurricane Irma in St. Maarten, September 2017.
And yes, reading through this psalm, I recall that powerful force bellowing peals of thunder, whirling and howling through winds, emitting flashes of lightning fires, etc.
And did all this cause me to say, “Glory!”?
I think rather that the “glory” feeling came with the realisation that the powerful Lord delivered me and us through all of these. While the storms raged, the power seemed so destructive, that I’m presented with a paradox here.
Many people did not see God in the storm except as protector. I remember the challenge I faced when so many persons interpreted my good fortune to be consequent on what they judged to be my great faith. You see, by conservative estimates, 98% of the roofs on the island were destroyed or badly damaged. My roof was not. Every time someone remarked that I was such a good Christian that the Lord had protected me and my family, I faced an internal struggle with God until I got the answer they needed.’ If you think that God was protecting us under our roof during the storm, then who do you think was protecting those who had no roof and were exposed to the flying pieces of metal and other missiles coming from all directions?
I think that answer helped and directed my hearers to ponder on the might of God as Powerful Protector from horrible hurricane.
I must admit that I’ve had other experiences that others immediately judge as bad, in which I chose to enjoy the beautiful good of the moment. Like during the eruptions of the Soufriere Hills Volcano in Montserrat. Watching burning rocks cascading down the mountainside was frightening, terrifying for many. But there were others of us who were simply exhilarated, glad for the opportunity to witness with our eyes and ears what we’d read about in earth science books. There was Zunky, the local artist who created Glowing, a melodious composition about the brilliant nocturnal phenomena displayed. He wrote many other songs that captured the learning and vitality entrapped in the phenomena of the eruptions.
But let me get back to the psalm, When I read 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh,” The seismic events of the eruptions come back to mind. Can you imagine feeling more than 100 earth tremors in one night? Of course, some said it was God doing that and others said it was the devil. So the one point of agreement was that the only one to turn to in the situation was God.
My prayer is that in smooth times, and at other times such as when the ground literally moved beneath our feet, and when the mountains break up before our very eyes, we’ll continue to pray:
11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace1