Power in the Skies

“Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
    exult before him!..
Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad…
The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
    thousands upon thousands;
    the Lord is among them…
You ascended on high,
    leading a host in your train…

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord, 
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens…
Ascribe power to God,..
    whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;..
    —he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!” Psalm 68:4,9,17-18,32-35

“There is none like God…
    who rides through the heavens to your help,
    through the skies in his majesty.
The eternal God is your dwelling place,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:26-27a

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place?..
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
    Can you establish their rule on the earth?..
Can you send forth lightnings..?
Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
    or given understanding to the mind?
Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
    Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens?” Job 38:12,33-37

The Scriptures are replete with vivid descriptions of the heavens declaring God’s glory and power. Book after book, saint after saint, day after day, God’s word and creation attest to His grand display in the skies. To look and listen is to wonder and praise. (Psalm 19:1-6)

Our trouble is that we go about life with bent posture. Looking ahead or askance or hunched over, we neglect the upward gaze. We fixate on our screens or tasks and do not look out the window. Too much to do, to watch, to study, to follow, to say… we manage and control and forget to stop and look away and up, to hush, be still, and gaze, and think on the Creator. (Exodus 14:13-14; Psalm 46:10)

Pause to consider the power in the skies… Would thick clouds remind us of sin- clogged communion with Him and prod us to repentance? Or of His faithful and timely protection and guidance, and prompt us to trust? When the sky is brass, do we revere His justice, or thank Him for discipline that leads to holiness, or persevere in prayer? Do we hear in the thunder His jealousy and might, feel in the dew His refreshment, in rain His compassion, cleansing, and provision? (Numbers 9:17-22; Deuteronomy 28:15,23-24; Hebrews 12:5-11)

Sun breaks through after a storm to remind us of redemption, and stars of His creative and sustaining power. How have we beheld God’s power? When will we look at the skies to seek and savor it anew? (Hebrews 1:3)

“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.” ~ Robert Grant (1833)

Father, keep me ever in grateful awe at Your power displayed and shared so Your glory is known.