The Russian Meteorite

This morning a meteorite flashed through the sky in Russia.  Experts estimate it weighed 20,000 pounds and was traveling at a speed of at least 33,000 mph!  When it hit the atmosphere it caused a massive explosion.  One source stated, “Infrasound data collected by a network designed to watch for nuclear weapons testing suggests that today's blast released hundreds of kilotons of energy.  That would make it far more powerful than the nuclear weapon tested by North Korea just days ago” (Nature.com).  The shockwave from the explosion was so powerful that it shattered countless windows, damaged structures, and even caused some buildings to crumble.  So far there are reportedly 1200 injuries and about $13 million in damages (Popular Science).

The last cosmic event of this magnitude was the famous Tunguska meteorite in Siberia in 1908.  This asteroid entered the atmosphere, exploded, and leveled about 80 million trees, spanning out about 820 square miles from the center of the blast (CNN).

Hearing and seeing this event brings many passages of Scripture to life.  There is a new sense of reality to the event in Genesis 19:24,  “Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven.”  In Deuteronomy 29:33, God’s people were warned to stay faithful or they would stuffer the same fate.  It’s easier to visualize the words of Psalm 11:6, “Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.”  We are even reminded of the comparison of God’s breath being “like a stream of burning sulfur” (Isaiah 30:33), and other passages (Isaiah 30; 43; Ezekiel 38).

A meteorite streaking through the sky is truly an awesome sight to behold.  Today billions of people around the world were able to witness the tremendous power of God because of one relatively small rock.  What an awesome and Almighty God we serve!  This event has brought even greater reality and authority to the Scriptures about God’s power.  Let’s close with a few of these:

• “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
• “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1).
• “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Watch These Videos of the Meteorite:

•  Video 1
•  Video 2

Little Is Much When God Is In It

Neal Pollard

The caption above is also the title of a song our family listened to on a vinyl record when I was a boy.  While I enjoyed the melody of that spiritual song, I suppose I may have not dwelled much on the message.  There are some parables in Matthew 13 that may have been the inspiration for the lyrics.

THERE IS THE LITTLE SEED (31-32).  The mustard seed produces a gigantic herb that is virtually tree-like.  That's the power of Christ's kingdom.

THERE IS THE LITTLE LEAVEN (33).  Just a little yeast and yet it thoroughly permeates.  That's like the kingdom of heaven.

THERE IS THE LITTLE PARCEL (44).  Compared to all that he had, one little field wherein the prospector's treasure was hidden was little.  That's how great the value of the kingdom is.

THERE IS THE LITTLE PEARL (45-46).  Hold even a huge pearl in your hand, and it fits there.  It's small.  Yet, the merchant Jesus mentions sells all he has to buy it.  That's the huge value of the kingdom.

God can do great things through the church, though we do not have the greatest numbers, voice, or power.  God owns His kingdom and it transcends all earth might throw against it.  Do not discount how big the little part you play can be!