The Message Is Clear

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob. [Psalm 114.7]

What choice did the Red Sea have but to allow Israel to pass through?

What choice did the rock have but to yield water to God's people?

God's people should fear nothing of the earth and its immovable presence. There is no 'natural' phenomenon immune to God's beckon call - whether to 'part' as did the Red Sea, or to 'stop flowing' as did the Jordan River, or to 'give water' as did the rock. Nothing on earth can resist God's command.

It would be great if we genuinely believed the statements above, because if we did, God would be glorified in us as He was in Israel - in her deliverance, protection, and prosperity. If we truly rested in our Father's dominion over everything, we would fear nothing - except Him.

But there is also the matter of sin. And, there is the matter of unbelief.

God is glorified to do great works on our behalf. However, if we fail to trust Him, not only do we fail to receive His benefits, but we fail to give Him the glory He deserves. 

If we fail to obey Him, we fail, in fact, to trust Him. If we fail to trust Him, we fail, in fact, to obey Him. Faith is obedience. Obedience is faith. Faith and obedience are inseparable.

It is good that we question why we do not see great miracles like those in the Bible. It is because God's people are far too steeped in the ways and means of the world. We are just as subject to the earth and its obstacles as the rest of the world. We look at the 'Red Seas' of the world just like the world does. We say silly things like, "what will be will be..." instead of defying anything that would present itself to us as an obstacle.

Why? Because we are faithless and sinful. I don't care how much we go to church - we still don't look and act like Jesus. We ask ourselves pointless questions like, "what would Jesus do?" when we have four different accounts in the New Testament that tell us exactly what Jesus DID! It is simply not enough to ask "what would Jesus do?" We must DO what Jesus DID!

Is it any wonder that Jesus Himself told His followers to "speak to mountains?" Why did He say that? Because that's how He set Himself apart as God's, thus glorifying Him before a watching  (and needy) world! Because that's how He intends for us to set ourselves apart as God's, thus glorifying Him before a watching (and needy) world!

I am not making this stuff up! It is all in the Bible! Any person who has truly read the Bible knows this is TRUE! BUT! ...acting in obedience (faith) to God is something altogether different than just reading a bunch of interesting stories!

So, if we ever intend to see the God of this universe glorified by our obedience here, then we must turn to Him and Him ALONE. It is called REPENTANCE.

How will we know when we have repented enough? When we see 'mountains move.' When we see the sick healed. When we see the dead raised. When we see storms calmed. When we see thousands miraculously fed.

Here's the deal: God will not be glorified in our present faithlessness (disobedience). We would know it if it were any different! If God dwells in me, then how come I don't see the earth tremble (see verse above)? The obvious answer is: God does not dwell in me. Ouch.

But "ouch" is not enough! Hell is the destiny of all who are not indwelt by God! Are we going to merely say "ouch" when it is obvious we are on a crash course for Hell?

God, help us! God, forgive us! God, dwell in us! God, save us!

The message is clear: We cannot say, "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob" until at first we have said, "Tremble, my soul, at the presence of the LORD, the God of Jacob!

Father, whatever I have thought about repentance up to this point has obviously been insufficient. Forgive me for being so religious and still so lost (evidenced by the powerlessness of my life compared to Jesus).