Walk Of Life – Day 4, January 2023 – Thoughts From The Book Of Psalms

Psalm 114

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,At the presence of the God of Jacob Psalm 114:7

Psalm 114 is a very short psalm that highlights the great act of redemption that happened on that particular night when the Israelite was delivered from Egypt from among the people whose language was not familiar though they had been there for 400 years.

The leading tribe of Israel (Judah) represented the whole nation which became the dwelling place of God (His sanctuary). The godly in Israel always understood that God’s dwelling in the tabernacle or temple was only symbolic of His presence in His people.

As in other places in Hebrew poetry, the psalmist personified nature and described it as responding to God in fear or reverence. Here he mentioned the parting of waters at both the Red Sea and the Jordan River, at the beginning and end of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land.

i. “Nature recognised His presence and obeyed His will. The sea fled, Jordan was driven back, mountains and little hills were moved.” (Morgan)

ii. “If the divine presence hath such an effect upon inanimate matter, how ought it to operate on rational and accountable beings?” (Horne)

In a nutshell.

What happened when the people of Israel left Egypt? Several things happened:

· God led them to the Promised Land, (verse 2).

· God led them through the Red Sea, which became dry for them, (verse 3).

· God led them over the River Jordan. It also became dry for them, (verse 3).

· Mountains and hills like Sinai seemed to jump like animals, (verse 4).

· God gave them water from the rocks in dry places, (verse 8).

Let us acknowledge God’s power and goodness in what he did for Israel, applying it to that much greater work of wonder, our redemption by Christ; and encourage ourselves and others to trust in God in the greatest straits. When Christ comes for the salvation of his people , he redeems them from the power of sin and Satan, separates them from an ungodly world, forms them to be his people, and becomes their King. There is no sea, no Jordan, so deep, so broad, but, when God’s time is come, it shall be divided and driven back. Apply this to the planting the Christian church in the world. What ailed Satan and his idolatries, that they trembled as they did? But especially apply it to the work of grace in the heart. What turns the stream in a regenerate soul? What affects the lusts and corruptions, that they fly back; that prejudices are removed, and the whole man becomes new? It is at the presence of God’s Spirit. At the presence of the Lord, not only mountains, but the earth itself may well tremble, since it has lain under a curse for man’s sin. As the Israelites were protected, so they were provided for by miracles; such was that fountain of waters into which the flinty rock was turned, and that rock was Christ. The Son of God, the Rock of ages, gave himself to death, to open a fountain to wash away sins, and to supply believers with waters of life and consolation; and they need not fear that any blessing is too great to expect from his love. But let sinners fear before their just and holy Judge. Let us now prepare to meet our God, that we may have boldness before him at his coming.