The Power of Lightning
Lightning is a powerful force on planet Earth
- Lightning can be 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit — 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun!
- One electrical storm can discharge enough energy to supply the entire U.S. with electricity for 20 minutes.
- This year, thousands of acres of land will be burned up in raging fires set by lightning strikes.
We see the power of lightning when it creates fulgurites
- The name fulgurite comes from the Latin word fulgar which means lightening.
- These formations are created when lightening strikes the ground, producing extreme heat actually melting the sandy composition of the soil, making it into a glass-like formation called a fulgurite.
Questions
- Why did God create such powerful forces like wind, storms, and lightning?
- Have you ever been in an electrical storm? Did you feel small and weak compared to the forces of nature? Why?
- Are humans strong enough to stop storms and lightning?
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Are electrical storms always bad, or do they do good things as well?
- Electrical storms produce nitrates that are important for fertilizing our soil so plants grow. It also cleans our air. Sometimes fires that are started by lightning burn up debris that clutter forests, and need to be removed. Some of those fires even cause new seeds to be released by trees, reseeding a forest.
God’s Power is Seen in Lightning
In the Bible, God uses lightening to illustrate His power:
Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? (Job 26:14)
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. (Exodus 20:18)
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. (Psalm 77:13-18)
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. (Psalm 97:4)
Questions
- In Job 26:14, why is God asking who can understand the thunder of His power?
- In Exodus 20:18, what was God trying to communicate with the thunder and lightning?
- In Psalm 77 and Psalm 97, why do you think that God uses thunder and lightning to show His power?
- How do you think the people felt when God demonstrated His power with thunder and lightning?
- How powerful is God compared to thunder and lightning storms?
- Lightning is sometimes a destructive force, but it is important because it cleans our air, fertilizes plants, and can renew forests. How is this similar to the attributes of God?
Power of the Creator
God, the Creator, showed His power when He made the heavens and the Earth!
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. (Jeremiah 32:17)
Questions
- When you think of the Creator’s power in making the heavens and the earth, which of His creations demonstrates His strength to you the most?
- Why is it such a wonderful thing that we serve an all-powerful God?
- When we consider God’s power, we should be in awe of Him. Why is this important?
- When you see the power of God, how does it remind you that we are to obey Him?
Prayer
End your family devotion by praying as a family. Thank the Creator for His strength, power, and provision!
