Do you ever wonder why some thunder sounds like a crack, other thunder sounds like a boom, other thunder sounds like a clap, and still other thunder sounds like a rumble?
When I was a kid and the thunder rumbled, my grandma said it was angels bowling in heaven.
Ready for some scientific wonders as designed by God?
During a storm, electrical charges build up in the atmosphere and generate extreme heat in the form of lightning (about five times hotter than the surface of the sun). When lightning superheats the air around it, the air rapidly expands and therefore compresses the other air surrounding it.
This compression and expansion of air creates the sound of thunder.
According to my local meteorologist:
A “crack” is typically indicative of a nearby or relatively close thunderstorm and/or with a strike perpendicular to a person (ex. lightning bolt stretching from the cloud to the ground).
A “rumble” is typically associated with storms further away and/or with a strike parallel to a person (ex. lightning bolt stretching from one end of a cloud to another).
A “boom” is indicative of a lightning strike reaching the ground.
But there’s another place thunder comes from that is hotter, more powerful, louder, and the thunder of thunders. If thunder were to be afraid of anything at all, it would be this super thunder. Here it is:
“The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded … the God of glory thunders” (Psalm 18:13; 29:3).
Now, you can find plenty of Bible verses teaching that God directs lighting bolts and God stirs up the atmosphere to create a boom, a crack, a rumble or a clap of thunder (Exodus 9:23; 1 Samuel 12:18; Job 38:25).
But you’ll also find that God himself out-thunders thunder. His sovereign power. His ominous holiness. His impactful voice. These don’t mean nothing, just like thunder never means nothing. Something. Is. Happening.
Once, when believers were worshiping God, their enemies approached. The Bible says “the Lord thundered with loud thunder” (1 Samuel 7:10) and the enemies panicked.
Thunder means something powerful is happening. So if I might add to my grandma’s cute explanation about the rumble … teach your kids and grandkids that thunder is God calling down from heaven. Not bowling. Not playing games.
Boom! He wants our attention. Crack! He strikes down our enemies. Clap! Okay, angels are clapping because God is awesome. And that God, he loves you.
PRAYER: God, you out-thunder all other thunder, and the power of your voice commands attention, respect, awe and faith. Today I praise you, Lord of all, and I feel much better letting you be in charge of the weather, of my life, and my day. Amen.
EVANGELISM ACTION: Share with a friend who needs Jesus, and loves science.