S) "3 The sea looked and fled;
The Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams,
The hills, like lambs."
Psalm 114:3-4 (NASB)
O) This song is a brief recap of Exodus, in poetic imagery. The purpose of this type of song, is to reflect on the goodness of God. By remembering His salvation, how He redeemed them from slavery, the people are encouraged to keep faith, and remain devoted to following the LORD. Certainly, there were a great many more miracles than the few listed here, but even just these "highlights" are enough to remember how mightily God has moved on behalf of His people. When He parted the Red Sea, stopped the Jordan from flowing, made Mount Sinai quake, these events could not be missed when they happened. In a tradition of Hebraic poetry, the landscape is personified, to illustrate that God has relationship with all of His creation. Everything He has made is subject to His sovereignty. So, when He intervenes on behalf of His people, there is nothing He cannot do.
A) Sometimes, when reading through the Old Testament, there is a curiosity about why God seemed to do such elaborate things in biblical times, but not necessarily in modernity. But, there are a couple of important things for me to remember. For one thing, God moved in mighty and miraculous ways when He was establishing covenant relationships with His people. This has been true throughout the Bible, all the way up to the New Covenant, established with Jesus (considering all of the "natural" events that happened between the crucifixion and resurrection). It would be unreasonable for me to expect God to move with similar overtness, when there is no other covenant coming until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The other thing to consider, is that the purpose behind those amazing miracles, was to confirm His promises to His people. This is still, actually, the case in our world today. In our culture though, I think there may be a sort of saturation of the gospel. People in the U.S. have already heard of Jesus, and a great many who do not believe have already made up their minds to reject Him. While I think there are still large numbers who are willing to believe, by comparison the number is small. Not to mention, in our culture in the Western Hemisphere, there is a general skepticism about all things supernatural. That is a manifested lack of faith, and even when God does still move, there is a culture-imposed blindness, to deny that God is moving. I cannot chase miracles. Jesus warned about seeking signs and wonders. I already believe, and all I need is Jesus. All I need is the Bible. Certainly, I believe that God can speak directly to me (although there must be heavy caution. I am fallible, but the Bible is not), the Word of God is completely authoritative and completely sufficient. I also cannot become calloused to the finger of God at work. God is mighty and sovereign, so He can do whatever miracles He pleases, whenever He wants to do them.
P) Father, Your grace is sufficient for me. In Your goodness, Father God, You have already given me everything I need to live a righteous life in Jesus Christ, by submitting myself to Your holy written Word. Still, I want to keep a childlike faith. I want to continue to believe that You can answer prayers, both through manifested signs and wonders, and also through dreams, visions, and personal revelation. Give me every bit of discipline I ever need, to cautiously and wisely judge every external impression I have, though. I never, ever, want to misunderstand Your character, Your word, or Your will. Open my eyes and my ears, to see, hear, and believe. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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