If you read this in today’s newspaper, the editor would say, “climate change, Climate Change, CLIMATE CHANGE!!! WE’VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING. As I read this psalm, I think of hurricanes, tornadoes, rain, lightning, and floods.
I have heard philosophers ask, “If there is a God, why does He let all the disasters happen and take human life”? But David had it right, this is the voice of God speaking to those He loves, all human beings, reminding us that life is short and full of trouble because of sin. He is trying to get us to see that we need to seek Him. No, God doesn’t cause each individual catastrophe. When God confronted Adam after his sin, God said, “the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.” Genesis 3:17 (NLT). And Paul tells us, “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:20-22 (NLT).
That is why David begins and ends this psalm with these words: “Honor the Lord you sons of God; honor the Lord for His glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. . .In His Temple everyone shouts, ‘Glory’! The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” Verses 1-2, 10-11 (NLT).