Struck By Lightning

Did you know that eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lake Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela have the most lightning in the world?[1] Did you know that in the United States26 people died from lightning strikes in 2015 and that Florida by far is the state most often hit?[2]   Incredibly in July and August (the most active months), Colorado averages 5,350 and 4,811 flashes per day with most of them occurring in the Colorado Springs-Denver area.[3]  Why you wonder is this important?  ​

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On July 27, I decided to go mountain biking. Before riding, I observed a large, dark formation of clouds north of the Air Force Academy moving east.  After watching their movement and checking my weather app, I was pretty sure I was fine to ride south and return before the storm would arrive.  Unfortunately, I went further south then I initially planned and the winds shifted. Before I could get safely back to where I had parked my truck, blue skies were replaced by ominous clouds with lightning strikes piercing the dark sky.
            
I prayed and asked God for His protection while rapidly pedaling out in the open, with no place to hide. To my left about 400 yards away, a crack of lightning raced to the earth and curved towards me. I was hit on the top of my head as if someone had rapped me with their knuckles. 
 
Meditation
Job 36:32--He covers His hands with lightningand commands it to hit its mark.
 
Elihu was a young man troubled by the way Job’s friends addressed him and their inability to refute his arguments.  For six straight chapters he waxes eloquently to his four listeners.  But what most captured my attention was his remark about lightning.  For if God orders lightning to hit its mark He surely also controls its effect.  
            
I could easily have been badly hurt.  But I believe God honored my request and spared me from being fried.  There was no mark on my bicycle helmet and according to my wife, I had only a bump and red mark on the top of my head. Wow! Psalm 121:5 says,“The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.”  Conceivably guardian angels can deflect or stop electric bolts.  I will confess that after realizing I was okay I was slightly disappointed I did not acquire x-ray vision or the ability to fly.  Seriously, I was reminded how precious life is and how every day we live should not be taken for granted.  Thank God for His providence!
 
Inspiration
My perspective of present-day Christendom is that very few people have any understanding of the providence of God and so fail to appreciate God’s continued care and action in their lives.—Jerry Bridges in God Took Me by the Hand
 
©2019 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)

[1]https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-where-lightning-strikes-most-around-world-320488
[2]https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-five-most-lightning-prone-states-in-the-united-states.html
[3]https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/why-lightning-strikes-this-area-more-than-anywhere-else-in-colorado