God Controls the Weather & the Fate of Nations

This article was originally posted when Superstorm Sandy was ready to make landfall in the Northeastern portion of the United States. Despite its age, this article is still very pertinent today because major weather events occur on a regular basis. I hope you find this article insightful.

Many of you are probably aware that Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy made landfall in the Northeastern portion of the United States on Monday. Those of you who have followed news stories about Sandy don’t need me to tell you that Sandy was a historic storm in terms of size and strength (in terms of barometric pressure). The storm is particularly remarkable because it impacted some of the most, if not the most, densely populated areas of the United States, including New York City.

I recalled a very interesting weather event that had a significant impact on American history while thinking about Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy on Sunday. I think it is worth mentioning this event in an article because I don’t think a lot of people have heard about this event, including most Americans, and it is an event that I think can be cited as evidence that God is in control of the weather and in control of the fate of nations.

Before I discuss the weather event I would like to present a few verses. The following Bible verses in the table below indicate that God is sovereign over the weather.

“Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. (7) He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries” (Psalm 135:6-7)

“(12) He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. (13) When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.” (Jeremiah 10:12-13)

“(6) He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. (7) Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: (8) Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:” (Psalm 148:6-8)

Since God is sovereign over the weather it is reasonable to think that no major weather event in history has occurred without God permitting it to take place.

In addition to being sovereign over the weather, God is sovereign over all nations. Acts 17 tells us that God determines the times that nations exist and the boundaries of each nation’s border:

“(24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (26) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (27) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (28) For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:24-28)

Given that the Lord is sovereign over the weather and sovereign over all nations, it is reasonable to think that major weather events which alter the course of nations are under the sovereignty of the Lord.

America was at war with the British Empire in August 1814. The British sent approximately 4,000 troops to Washington D.C. to burn the city to the ground with the hopes that destroying the city would lead to America’s surrender. The British troops that moved into Washington D.C. managed to set fire to many of the key government and public buildings in the city, including the White House.

The British troops remained in Washington D.C. to set more fires in the city when a thunderstorm suddenly formed nearby and traveled into the city. The rainfall from the thunderstorm was so intense that it extinguished a lot of the fires that the British set in the city. However, the biggest “surprise” for the British troops is that this thunderstorm unleashed at least one tornado that traveled to where they were positioned in the city. The tornado decimated the British troops’ position and inflicted large casualties on the British. The damage inflicted to the British was so severe that the surviving troops withdrew from the city, and they never returned to the city after that.

  • The U.S. Air Force Weather Observer fully explains what happened in 1814 in an article aptly titled: “A Tornado that Saved a City and Defeated the Enemy”. You can read the article at the following link:
  • Those who are interested in watching a video about the event can find a video about it at the following link  The video speculates that the storm weather was part of a hurricane.

Sometimes we cannot comprehend why certain weather events happen that impact so many people. Nevertheless, we must remember that we cannot comprehend the ways of God. God’s ways are far greater than ours:

(27) Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? (28) Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” (Isaiah 40:27-28)

“(8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

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Wayne Croley
Wayne Croley

Hi! I’ve studied and written about Bible prophecy since I was a teenager. My goal is to make Bible prophecy easy for you to understand while avoiding the sensationalism seen elsewhere. I am the author of several end time books, including Prophecy Proof Insights on the End Times, a comprehensive book about the end times. I hold an M.B.A. and degrees in Managerial Economics and Political Science.