WHEN GOD ACTS!

The language of this brief song is dramatic. It begins with the impact made by God’s power in action. It ends with the challenge of the impact of His presence. When the human is confronted with the divine, there is bound to be a reaction. Mere finite man can never grasp the dimensions of the ways of the infinite God. It is interesting to notice Job’s reaction as the Lord unfolded His wisdom and power to him; he is found in dust and ashes, Job 42. 1-6.

The writer of this psalm re-creates from memory the sensation caused by the deliverance of the nation of Israel from Egypt, and their establishment as His possession, vv. 1-2. His power delivered them, His presence sanctified them, and His purpose controlled them. Pause and reflect today on these ways of God with His people, and especially apply them to the church. Every member has been delivered from sin’s slavery by His redemptive power, Col. 1. 12-14. Each member, whether Jew or Gentile, has been built into the church, being made a habitation of God through the Spirit; we are His dwelling place, Eph. 2. 19-22. And as we recognize the Lordship of Christ, and know Him as the Head of the body, we move under His dominion, 4. 11-16. Could anything be more glorious?

From the experience of the nation, the psalmist tells of the effects upon the people round about. He uses similies of the disturbances among the elements; he gives a picture of fear first of all, then of gladness. “What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? … Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?”, vv. 5-6. What power could stand before such a God as this? All creation reacts and rejoices when God puts forth His glorious power. It is good to think that, in the last analysis, when the effects of redemption are seen in their ultimate realization, all creation will cease its groaning and rejoice, Rom. 8. 19-23.

“Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob”, v. 7. What awe-inspiring majesty is associated with the divine presence. For the unregenerate to be confronted with such a manifestation is fear and death. Note in closing Revelation 6. 14-17; 20. 11-15; a terrible day!