With the arrival of hurricane Isaac, it is easy to see how floods and wind can change an ordinary world into a place where nothing is what it seems. Underneath the watery apparitions are the foundations of a previous world. Unfortunately, there can be no guarantee that the disaster-struck world will ever regain the exact same shape or condition as before. Things might become better or worse. However, there is a promise we can believe.
For today, and for the future, all things are subject to change under the presence of God.
Psalm114 reminds usof the Bible story where Israel endured huge changes as they left Egypt and entered a new land.
Thankfully in Verse 2 the Psalm writer tells us how God made His dwelling place with the Israelites in their new place.
From this verse, we know God can be with us in change.
Verses 4-8 suggest another aspect about God and change.
Even when a situation seems impossible, God can be the source of change.
“The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. What ails you, O Red Sea, that you flee? O Jordan that you turn back?
You mountains, that you skip like rams, and you little hills like lambs?
Tremble, O Earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
Who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
Psalm 114:4-8
Nature continues to give us allegories of how little of life stays the same. In the world of God, a mountain can “skip like a ram,” seas and waters can “flee,” and boulders and rocks can become pools and fountains.
The earth trembles at the presence of God.
Do you tremble?
Do I tremble?
My prayer
God, what an amazing God you are to harness ANY change for your purpose. We frequently quiver and shake because of changes and natural effects, yet it is You who we are to tremble before. We tremble, not because of fear but because of Your great love that You sent your son to die for us. Who are we to You, Almighty Mountain Shaker? How are we so blessed to have You so enthralled with us, Your creation, that You want to make Your dwelling place with us? (Lord, help us clean house!) How peculiar and utterly divine of You to do this! Give us Your ability to cope with change and shape it back into blessing and honor to Your name. Amen.