God Promises He is LORD

​Psalms 114:1-8 When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, 2 Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; 4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, 6 you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
 
THIS short psalm is a window to God’s eternal majesty and power. With a poetry of motion, the song teaches the LORD is the one of sovereign authority over his created earth.
   The LORD used his authority to release Egypt’s bondage over his people. Before Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Exodus freedom story was the anchor that brought hope to the Jews for their future freedom under a Messiah. “Israel came out of Egypt.” is Israel’s confession God led their ancestors on a most impossible journey through physical challenges into his holy presence. In a like manner, we now say, “God sent his Son to redeem our sin.” Judah – Israel – became God’s sanctuary. He taught them to build a tabernacle and dwelled with them on the ark of the covenant’s mercy seat. He came in fire and a cloud to speak to them. Indeed, Israel became his dominion, an earthly home for the eternal LORD.
   Creation responded to the LORD’s dominion. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back. With his majestic power, God divided the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and stopped the Jordan River (Joshua 3:15-16) for the Jews’ safe passage. From the desert rocks (Exodus 17 & Numbers 20:8-11), he poured water to his people and their livestock.
   The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs poetically describes the land yielding to the Jews’ presence. Nature’s song to God echoed centuries later when Jesus reminded the Pharisees, “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) The world belongs to God. All its wonders – even the rocks in the desert – display the Creator’s dynamic reign over heaven and earth.
   Why does nature respond to God? This is one way God raises our appropriate fear toward him. When we recognize God’s power to move the elements to his purpose, we realize we are at his mercy. V 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
   When the psalm was written, God’s gift to the Jews is clearly himself. Each aspect of his creative authority became a personal demonstration of his love and grace toward Israel. He promised he would give himself completely to them. He showed his full devotion with the power demonstrations of his presence on earth.
   In this New Testament time now, the LORD God has expanded and deepened his relationship with the world. Now the Christian world anchors to the cross. Because of his great work, God’s authority over humanity extends to all the earth. As the Spirit unveils God’s grace to save through Jesus Christ, the seas of disappointment and despair turn back. The rock of Jesus’ salvation pours out living water into very thirsty souls. The mountains of opposition become messengers of God’s redemption. Sinners tremble in fear and repent into his holy presence.  
           The LORD’s work is unrelenting. His majestic power is a refining tool of authority to return all the earth to his creation’s perfection. Rejoice the LORD promises to reign over heaven and earth – and over your life forever.