Tremble, O Earth (Psalm 114:7)

 

Monday, 20 October, 2025


Psalms 114; 115

2 Kings 5:15-6:7

Matthew 15:1-20



Tremble, O Earth (Psalm 114:7)


Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
    at the presence of the God of Jacob


When we think of the miracle of the Exodus, when Moses planted his staff in the sea and the Hebrew slaves escaped on dry land with the waters piled up on either side, I wonder how we relate this wild story with the idea of the presence of God?


Something that seems to stick with me is how God told Moses to perform certain miracles in front of Pharaoh so that the Egyptians would know that God is the Lord. From God’s point of view, miracles aren’t magic tricks designed to wow paying audiences. Rather, they are there to make people see something about God.


Today’s first Psalm talks about the miracle of the parting of the sea from a different point of view. The Lord, who made the sea, was dwelling with his people, and was approaching that sea. And when the waters saw their Creator, they made room for him to pass through.


As Christians, we are told in the pages of Scripture that the Lord dwells inside us, making our bodies his temple. And so are we any different from those ancient Hebrews? Pathways, once blocked, are cleared when they see who is with us. The very earth trembles at the presence of the Lord; and the Lord is with us.


When has your passage through life been cleared in ways you cannot properly explain? How might the presence of the Lord with you help you in any blockages you might currently be facing?


Creator God, who upholds all things by your powerful word: give us courage in our lives of faith, that, in trusting your sovereignty, we may overcome all evil.

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