Just after the Ark was returned to them and the Israelites were led by Samuel to get rid of their idols and rededicate their lives at Mizpah, the Philistines gathered to do battle with them.  The people of Israel were terrified.  Samuel sacrificed and interceded for them with God.   While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.(I Sam. 7:10).  That must have been quite the thunderstorm!

How many times do we read of the storms of life and think of them as being the trials and tribulations that we face?  I have a young relative who has been facing a series of difficult circumstances through no fault of his own.  He has no support or working relationship with his…