Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Power To Command Nature Most Apparent In Lightning

Lightning never strikes in the same place twice.

So the saying goes, and God forbid it ever hits the same spot where we are.

Technically, lightning is caused by the discharge of electricity between clouds or sandwiched amid clouds and the earth. During a thunderstorm, there is a buildup of rain in clouds which gather electricity until the cloud’s surface is insufficient to carry the charge, and a discharge takes place, producing a brilliant flash of light and thunderclap.


While some have lived after being struck by lightning, that’s the minority. Over 90 people are killed each year by lightning. We’ve taken too many risks riding our horses when thunder roars and lightning flares. Others have not been so fortunate. An FFA friend was killed by lightning in the late ‘60s, after he continued to load hay in a storm.

None of our major buildings, which are equipped with lightning rods, have been lightning victims, but the fire bolts have taken a number of trees. There are over 30,000 home fires and about 10,000 forest blazes caused by lightning in this country annually.

Nellie, the second horse we ever owned, was in the pasture with her Paint foal, when lightning got them both. Since then, we’ve had several horses stricken. Cattle are a common target, and just about every year we lose some to lightning. Recently, lightning killed a cow and a fall calf, owned by our son, the day before the steer was to be sold.

God’s power in commanding the forces of nature is obvious in lightning. It is revealed in Job 28:26: “When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder.” Interestingly though, 30 percent of all church fires are lightning related.

Tokens of God’s wrath are symbolized by lightning. Example is Psalm 144:6: “Cast forth lightning and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.”

Glorious and awful majesty of God is signified by lightning. Illustration is Revelation 4:5: “And out of the throne preceeded lightnings and thunderings and voice: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God.”

Judgment of God on the world is characterized by lightning. Case in point is Revelation 20:9: “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, compassed the camp of the saints about: and the fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

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