Divine Earthquakes Series

BIG IDEA:

THE EARTH QUAKES BEFORE THE POWER OF THE REDEEMER

INRODUCTION:

Tremendous poetry; great parallelism throughout the psalm;

Reflecting on the power of the Redeemer; inspires Praise on the part of the people of God and trembling on the part of all creation; there can be no doubt that God is powerful enough to meet the needs of His people -- regardless of their circumstances

I. (:1-2) DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT AND SANCTUARY IN THE PROMISED LAND TESTIFY TO THE POWER OF THE REDEEMER

A. Deliverance from Egypt

"When Israel went forth from Egypt "

"The house of Jacob from a people of strange language"

B. Sanctuary in the Promised Land

"Judah became His sanctuary"

"Israel, His dominion"

II. (:3-6) THE FORCES OF NATURE RESPOND TO THE POWER OF THE REDEEMER

A. The Parting of the Red Sea and Jordan River

way of escape for God’s people

pathway to destruction for God’s enemies

B. The Mountains and the Hills

no obstacle to the progress and conquests of the invading people of God like rams and lambs under the direction and control of the Good Shepherd

III. (:7-8) THE REDEEMER DESERVES TO BE FEARED FOR HIS AWESOME POWER

A. Trembling is the Proper Response for all of Creation

Key: "Tremble, O earth, before the Lord"

B. The Redemer is also the Provider for the needs of His people

Even as God brought water out of the rocks in the wilderness, so He will continue to provide for the needs of His people

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) What is God’s holy place today? How can we tremble before the Lord in a way that is productive rather than debilitating?

2) God wants you to experience freedom in Him and from bondage. Why then does He sometimes insist on your staying in bondage for a season? What are some possible

lessons He wants you to learn when you are enslaved by oppressing circumstances?

3) The Israelites saw God perform many miracles and yet remained hard-hearted. If God actually made the mountains dance and the seas run away today, would those miracles cause peoople to have a change of heart and compel them to trust Him?

4) Our culture is not receptive to the idea of a Supreme Being who can defy the laws of nature (that He established) whenever He pleases and for His own pleasure and purpose. Do you view yourself as subject to the same interventions by God as created beings, able to be controlled by Him at His whim?

Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format

(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)

from:

http://www.bibleoutlines.com