Today’s Reading: Psalm 114
Do you remember the following quote?
Ricky Bobby: “Dear tiny Jesus, in your golden-fleece diapers, with your tiny, little, fat, balled-up fists pawing at the air…”
Carley (Wife): “Hey, um, you know, sweetie, Jesus did grow up. You don’t always have to call him, ‘baby.’ It’s a bit odd and off-putting to pray to a baby.”
Ricky Bobby: “Well, I like the Christmas Jesus best and I’m saying grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grown-up Jesus or teenage Jesus or bearded Jesus, or whoever you want.”
Ricky Bobby (later): “Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I’ve won and the 21.2 million dollars that I have accrued over this past season.”
This scene in the movie Talladega Nights reminds me of how some people might think of Jesus around Christmas as we celebrate His birth. The baby born in the manger under a very humble beginning.
When I first read Psalm 114, I reflected on God’s extraordinary power and our need to fear Him. Powerful.
The most vivid and poetic part of the Psalm describes how nature itself reacted to the presence of God leading His people:
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The Sea Fled and Jordan Turned Back: This is a reference to the parting of the Red Sea (at the start of the journey) and the stopping of the Jordan River (at the end, when entering the Promised Land). The poetic imagery suggests the waters fled in terror or respect at God’s command.
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Mountains Skipped Like Rams: This likely alludes to the earthquake at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law, underscoring God’s awesome power and majesty.
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The Rhetorical Question: The Psalmist dramatically asks the elements, “What ails you, O sea, that you flee?… O mountains, that you skip like rams?” (v. 5-6). This heightens the suspense, making the final answer more impactful.
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The Answer: The God of Jacob: The answer is given in the concluding verses: the earth must “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,” (v. 7). Nature bows because of the manifest, all-powerful presence of the Creator who is acting specifically for His covenant people.
Our Lord is no longer in a manger. He is the one that, when you believe, He will meet all needs. Our Lord is powerful, mighty, and can do anything He chooses at any time. Does it mean He will solve all our Earthly problems as we desire? No. He will solve our Eternity problem, which will mean so much more. I pray you have received Him for Eternity.
Blessings this Christmas!