Scripture  — Exodus 9:13-35

“And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.” (Exodus 9:23-24) 

We have had some strange weather lately. Strange to us anyway. I had a man ask me one day when it was snowing, if I could stop it, since I was a Christian? I said: ‘Sorry, I’m in sales, not in authority of the weather.’

Seated on the banks of the Nile River, Egyptian society prospered with abundance and sophistication. It was the envy of all its neighbors. The climate was mild. Water came not so much from rainfall, but by the regular flooding of the Nile, refreshing the whole delta with moisture and nutrients. All the land was owned by the Pharaoh; and his priests and officials governed the whole society.

In the story of the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12), we see a Pharaoh who refused to recognize the God of Israel as the one true God of heaven and earth. So, God sent more thunder and lightning, rain, and hail on Egypt than it had ever seen before.

This is sometimes another purpose of storms. How often in the Bible do we see the proud and mighty being overwhelmed before the power of God? They cannot stand before Him. Humans may appear to be strong (at least to each other), but in any storm our weakness is quickly evident.

Rather than standing before God in our own strength, we should bow and pray.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Prayer: Lord God of heaven and earth, teach us humility. Forgive us for our pride. Thank You for looking on us in grace and mercy and for redeeming us in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.