When the Earth Trembled!

Psalm 114

1 When Israel came out of Egypt,
    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 leaped like rams,
    the hills like lambs.
5 Why was it, sea, that you fled?
    Why, Jordan, did you turn back?
6 Why, mountains, did you leap like rams,
    you hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, 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 is another praise song the Jewish people sang as they were traveling. going to a festival, or worshiping in the synagogue. At the heart of Israel's life together was remembering their exodus from Egypt, as they escaped through the parting of the Red Sea. The response of the wind, sea, mountains and earth to God's presence reminds them of how great and powerful their God is. 

The celebration of the Jewish festival of Passover had at its center, this story of God redemption of his people. In delivering the people of Israel, God honored his covenant promise to them, which He made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  

As we move through the Advent season toward Christmas day, we get ready to celebrate one of the central acts in history as well.  This was when the heavens parted, and Jesus came down to us as a little baby boy or a virgin. Kings came from the east to worship and adore him, and humble shepherds from watching their fields at night to welcome him into our world.  

Take some time this Christmas season to ponder the incredible story of God's incarnation and becoming a human being through His Son Christ.  Later when Jesus grew up and went to the cross, died and rose from the dead three days later. When Jesus rose from the dead the earth trembled and quaked again! This fulfilled the promise He made to Abraham not only to bless the Jewish nation, but to bless all nations! The Jews were blessed to be a blessing and so we are.  

Think of a way you can be a blessing to someone this Christmas who needs to know God cares!


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