Nature's Fury

Last night as I enjoyed listening to the thunder, I was thinking about the power of God in nature, and how it has really been manifested lately with earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornado season soon upon us. Here are some 'powerful' thoughts for you to ponder for Thoughtful Thursday:

Raging River

(a Haiku poem by my son, Seth)

Mad, Raging River

Very Powerful Indeed

The Swelling River

The Laws of Nature

by Longfellow

The Laws of Nature are just, but terrible.

There is no weak mercy in them.

Cause and consequence are inseparable and inevitable.

The Elements have no forbearance.

The fire burns, the water drowns, the air consumes, the earth buries.

And perhaps it would be well for our race if the punishment of crimes against the law of man were as inevitable as the punishment of crimes against the laws of nature~were man as unerring in his judgment as nature.

And some final thoughts from my husband, Jerry:

Even as descriptive and moving as this poem is, Longfellow fell far short of the power and purpose of nature. In reference to this poem, I believe God would tell Longfellow to read the words He breathed centuries ago: "From the breath of God, ice is made. He disperses the cloud of His lightening. It changes direction by His guidance. Whether for correction, or for His world, He causes it to happen." (Job 37:10-13)

We need to look no further than Haiti for a reminder of the awesome and oftentimes destructive power of nature. But we must always remember that not even the smallest raindrop falls outside of the sovereign will of God, who wields nature for justice as well as mercy and blessing. Punishment, as Longfellow puts it, is not a "law of nature." Just Judgment comes only from God. Nature is merely His tool. Longfellow said, "Were man as unerring of his judgment of nature." He should have said, "Were man as unerring in his worship of the Creator of nature." Only then can we truly understand and accept the blessing, as well as the tragedy, of nature.