Rain

It rained this morning. Weather in Houston is most interesting. I woke up in the wee hours of morning, and while I was getting ready, there didn’t seem to be much light. As the morning progressed, the winds began to pick up making whirling noises outside my window. I looked outside and watched as a few rain drops fell from the sky and splashed onto the lawn below. It wasn’t long before the rain fell hard, thunder was heard so loud that it did not seem far off, and the lightning was bright and blinding.

The display of God’s power is so amazing. The lightning etching its way across the sky in a bright flash, followed closely by a deep rumble in the distance is in a way terrible, and often frightening. How much more the wrath of God? And yet, at the same time of this awesome display, the refreshing rain falling from the heavens is wonderful, just as the amazing love and mercy of God. Without this, where would we be? Whilst I stood gazing out my window, one of my favorite poems came to mind.

Interestingly, William Blake, the man who penned this, gave this poem the title of “Lullaby.” When I first heard this song, (the one put to music by Loreena McKennitt) I had to listen to it again and again as the words were so incredible.

O for a voice like thunder, and a tonguet
o drown the throat of war! - When the senses
are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
who can stand?

When the souls of the oppressed
fight in the troubled air that rages,
who can stand?

When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
throne of god, when the frowns of his countenance
drive the nations together,
who can stand?

When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
and sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
when souls are torn to everlasting fire,
and fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain.
O who can stand?

O who hath caused this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!