Psalms 28-30
Let's look at Psalm 29 today.
I grew up in Florida and I would go to the beach whenever I had the opportunity. One common experience that can still send chills up my spine, is to watch the waves and the sky as a thunderstorm would roll in on the horizon. Flashes of lightning, dark clouds, loud rolls of thunder, and sounds of the waves crashing on the beach. I have seen this scene hundreds of times throughout my life, and every time I see it, I am reminded just how small I am and how mighty God is.
David, in this psalm is reflecting on the same experience. He describes the movement of a thunderstorm over the Mediterranean Sea as being controlled by, "The voice of the Lord" seven times in these eleven verses. David wants us to think about the majesty of a thunderstorm over the sea and recognize that a thunderstorm, and all that comes with it, is at the command of the voice of the Lord.
The response to what David see's is actually at the beginning of this chapter. In verses 1 and 2, David says "Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."
When we look at the natural world around us, all of creation cries out, "glory to the name of the Lord!" When we look at creation, we should be reminded of how small we are and how powerful God is, and cry out in worship!
Look at what David requests in the final verses. He recognizes that God, "sits enthroned as King forever" in verse 10 and then in verse 11 he says, "May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people."
The reality for those who are in relationship with this almighty and powerful God (who speaks and storms thunder and oceans roar) is that His power lives within us by His Holy Spirit! This is what gives us strength and peace! Remember the story about the disciples in the boat in the midst of a storm, and Jesus was sleeping? (Mark 4:35-41) They panic and Jesus stands up and says, "Peace, be still." That same power lives inside of you! In the midst of your storm in life, recognize the powerful hand of God in the world, worship Him, and be strengthened and at peace because, "the Lord gives strength to His people."