I am sitting in the midst of a pretty good thunderstorm this am and I recalled Edwards’ words from his testimony of conversion. It is a good call to worship.
And scarce any thing, among all the works of nature, was so sweet to me as thunder and lightning; formerly, nothing had been so terrible to me. Before, I used to be uncommonly terrified with thunder, and to be struck with terror when I saw a thunder storm rising; but now, on the contrary, it rejoiced me. I felt God, so to speak, at the first appearance of a thunder storm; and used to take the opportunity, at such times, to fix myself in order to view the clouds, and see the lightnings play, and hear the majestic and awful voice of God’s thunder, which oftentimes was exceedingly entertaining, leading me to sweet contemplations of my great and glorious God. While thus engaged, it always seemed natural to me to sing, or chant for my meditations; or, to speak my thoughts in soliloquies with a singing voice. (Works of Jonathan Edwards)
I suspect Edwards was previously terrified because, like at Sinai (Ex.19-20), the thunder communicated God’s wrath, justice, and holiness. Now through the gospel we may smile at such things because the cross is the supreme example of all of God’s attributes. The cross is the supreme thunder of justice and the eye blinding lightening of mercy. It is in the cross where we not only find wrath, justice and holiness…BUT we also have love, mercy, goodness, and grace.
Therefore, what formerly terrified is now an escort to the cross whereby we might see mercy and wrath sing harmoniously together. Then we listen again to thunder and watch lightening only to marvel at this powerfully dangerous God who smiles on sinners through his Son.