Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet. (Psalm 18:7-9)
David continues to acknowledge God’s deliverance of His own, albeit in a way that sounds strikingly similar to what is described when God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, followed by His descent upon Mount Sinai — “He came down with darkness under His feet.” Perhaps we are to conclude that David was describing the great lengths to which God will go in order to save the righteous, even as far as shaking the earth beneath those who oppose Him, His people and His purpose. For example, He put down a home-grown rebellion in the wilderness by creating a crack in the earth that swallowed up Korah and his allies, thus reaffirming Moses’ position among the people. According to the prophets, many are the kings and kingdoms — past, present and future — who will crumble and fall when the God of Israel shakes heaven and earth (see Haggai 2).
It is obvious from David’s words that, when God does decide to shake heaven and earth, He directs His anger at the godless people of the world. As He looks down from His Throne and sees wicked men embracing rebellion and rejoicing in the oppression of God’s people, His anger flares and He shakes the ground under their feet. He moves the mountains out of their place to remind mankind that the God of Israel is sovereign — He will not be mocked — and He will deliver His people. I would suggest that is, in part, why David described something reminiscent of when God shook Egypt to its very foundations. And for the record, to date, Egypt has not reclaimed the glory she once enjoyed.
In this light, David seems to call on the imagery that is so prevalent and relative to Israel’s very existence in order to advance this point — what God does for the nation, He will do for the individual. I can’t say that I expect Him to literally shake the ground under the feet of my enemies (although He could) but I do expect that, in His time and in His way, He will shake their world. He will do so, not just for my sake, but for their sake as well. When God moves it is for more than just what we are able to discern in regard to our circumstances. In other words, when He acts on our behalf, our enemies are provoked to submit to His authority. Therefore, let us continue to hold fast to our confidence in Him and make certain that our house is built on the Rock so that when the shaking comes, it will stand.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments