SEPTEMBER 23 – Reading 266

by Albert Rosado | September 23

“TREMBLING BEFORE THE LORD”
(Psalms 113:1-9; 114:1-8; 115:1-18)

“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” – Psalm 114:7

My wife Yasmin and I love to cruise. Once the ship leaves our port and we can no longer see land, one of our favorite things to do is to stare into the vastness of the ocean. The ocean is so immense, with so much water. From space, we must look like a grain of rice floating on the ocean. If the ocean is this big, how big is our God? Scriptures teach us, “In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.”

Have you ever stood in front of something so powerful that you felt small? Maybe it was the vast ocean, a tall mountain, or a strong storm. In moments like that, you can feel a mix of fear and amazement. This is a little like what the Bible means when it says to “tremble” at the presence of the Lord. It is not about being scared of Him in a bad way. It is about knowing He is so great and holy that all creation stands in awe of Him.

Psalm 114 is a song about God’s power when He brought Israel out of Egypt. The sea moved out of the way, the Jordan River stopped flowing, and even mountains and hills seemed to skip like animals. The Psalm ends by telling the whole earth to tremble at the Lord’s presence. This is because He is not just a God who created everything, He is also the God who comes close to His people and acts on their behalf.

When we realize who God is, trembling is the right response. It means our hearts are full of respect, worship, and amazement. We are reminded that He is not small or weak. He is the one who can move seas, stop rivers, and change hearts. And this same God is with us today through Jesus Christ.

Simple Truth:
Knowing God’s greatness should lead us to deep respect and awe.

Reflections:

• When you think about God’s power, what comes to your mind first?

   

• How does it change your attitude to remember that this same powerful God is with you?

Application:

• Worship God with a heart that trembles in awe, not out of fear, but because of His glory.

   

• Remember that the Lord who rules over creation is also the one who cares for you.

   

• Let your daily life show respect for God in how you speak, act, and think.  

Closing Prayer:
Lord God, you are great and holy. All creation trembles before you because you are full of power and glory. Forgive us when we treat you as if You were small. Help us to always come before you with respect and worship. Thank You that the same God who moves mountains is the God who loves us through Jesus Christ. May our lives honor you today and every day. Amen.