Stormy Days? Awesome! Halal God!

I don’t know about you, but I love a good storm. Flashes of lightning brightening the night sky like strobe lights, followed by the crackles and deep booming thunder echoing everywhere in full stereo. As I kid living on the East coast, I got my fair share of storms.  Sometimes they would get bad enough that mom and dad would shuffle us downstairs into the basement, much to my chagrin.  I would love to watch the lighting flash, and it was even better when I saw the actual lightning bolts crawl over the sky like fingers.

Don’t get me wrong, I am well aware of the destructive nature of storms and don’t wish that part of a storm on anyone.  But there is also something beautiful about watching nature in full action. I was never any storm chaser, but I do understand the thrill of chasing down a wild tornado.  Talk about nature gone wild! I think I’ve seen the movies “Twister” and “Twisters” at least ten times each. 

When I see a good ol’ thunder and lightning storm, it just re-enforces again to me about how much nature is actually alive and has a voice. It has both a presence and a consciousness. And if that’s the case, what about the rest of existence? Stars, planets, and moons? Oceans, rivers, and lakes? Mountains, hills, and valleys?  Animals and insects of all kinds?  Birds and sea creatures?  And of course, humans.

The answer is yes. 

They all have a collective voice and awareness.  And the reason for that is that everything in existence (including existence) was created by God, by our Lord and Heavenly Father.  We all come from one source.  We all have an awareness of our creator.  I’m so happy to know that, and so grateful to have such a loving God and relationship with my savior, Jesus Christ.  Sometimes that happiness is so full within me I must thank and praise God for being so loving and generous to think about me when He created me.  And I know the other parts of existence, that is, the rest of His creation, feels the same and just has to say thank you at the top of their voices.  So, let’s all do that together, shall we?  Read aloud (shout it out!) with me as we “HALAL*” our praises to our Creator from God’s very own Word:

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for at his command they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women,
    old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
(Psalms 148:1-13)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalms 19:1)

*Halal – to be clear, to shine, celebrate and rejoice in the Lord with a distinct sound (the primary root of the word, Hallelujah)

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