God’s Indoor Voice

“And I saw another strong angel…and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices.” Rev. 10:3

“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, The voice of the Lord is majestic.” Ps. 29:3-4

Thunder rumbles in the distance, growing to a roar that shakes the earth. A youngster runs to his mother’s arms. His eyes wide with fright to the point of tears as he buries his head in her chest and covers his ears.

The mother cradles his face in her hands as she speaks, “No need to be frightened. The thunder is God speaking from heaven.”

The youngster replies, “Why doesn’t He use His indoor voice?”

I am convinced the children of Israel felt as this youngster when, “…it came about that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled… Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire…and the whole mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him  with thunder.” Ex. 19:16-19

God’s voice thunders through creation testifying of His majesty and power. All creation shouts with God’s voice crying, “Look at your Creator. He is powerful, majestic. He is King over the flood, and the wind. He controls the path of the storm, when and where it visits. As He rules its beginning He rules its ending.”

“For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits’ end. They they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.” Ps. 107:25-29

Why does He speak in thunder, why not with an indoor voice? Many voices cry for our attention in this world. Protesters protesting while other protesters protest the protesters. Government officials arguing their personal stands and some coming to blows. Commercials blare their promises of happiness if you will only use their products. Complainers complain and so goes the list. We are told the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I don’t mean to compare God to a squeaky wheel but when His voice thunders all else becomes still. When the hurricanes threaten and the tornadoes roar, we begin to hear what is important. When the storm ceases, and we are ready to listen, He then speaks to us with His indoor voice.

“God…in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…” Hebrews 1:2

The heavenly Father invites those who will hear, to hear him in His Son, Jesus Christ. The words He speaks and the works He does show us God’s mercy, His goodness and salvation. Jesus is God’s indoor voice. Hear Him.

“…give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, And praise Him at the seat of the elders.” Ps. 107:31-32

He speaks with thunder when we refuse to hear His inside voice. “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1Kings 19:12

Praying we all have hears to hear what the Spirit is saying and faith to heed the words.