Psalm 114

“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord.”

Ever wonder how they organized the Psalms?

I don’t have any scholarly idea! At some point the Jews had this collection of songs that they put together in their Torah, I assume? I don’t know if they are in the order they were written, or if some scholar decided what should follow what.

What makes sense is that Psalms 114 follows the question of 113: “Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?” 

You see, it’s not just that God is the God of heavens with a perspective over all the earth. He is also the God who becomes, who became, intimately involved with the earth.

What ails you, O sea, that you Flee

O Jordan, that you turn back?

O mountains , that you skip like rams?

O hills, like lambs?

We’re greeted with a series of questions, again, but I don’t think they are for the sea, rivers or mountains as much as they are for me.

God didn’t just set nature into motion.

He disrupts it for his people.

The sea fled back when the Israelites were desperately trying to escape Egypt. The Jordan turned back when they needed to cross into the land God had promised. I’m not sure about mountains and hills skipping except for the joy to receive his children.

What seas has God turned back in my life? What rivers has he allowed me to cross? What pastures have I been able to skip in that were provided for me?

Great questions, questions to reflect on.

He has turned the tide of my cancer, graciously granting me days, months, years that I never dreamed of! He has given me strength to cross rivers and do things my fears normally would not let me, like leading a conference in Thailand, confronting a sinner with his sin, speaking before thousands, leading teams and ministries. He has provided for me this week a lovely place to read, write, be with family and friends, kick my heels with joy between the mountains and the sea.

God hasn’t left me in the world to figure it out by myself, to let waters wash over me. He loves me, just as he loved his people. Even when I go through the “valley of the shadow of death,” I know he is still with me. He still has ultimate control of the earth. If I do go through the waters, it’s so I can be purer, washed by his blood.

I feel like I need to go run around for joy!

We’re currently on our way back driving from our staff conference in Colorado — giving us good opportunity to think about how rivers and mountains have moved. Tell me about God’s movement in your life.

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