Tremble, O Earth, at the Presence of God
This meditation is based on a passage for January 8, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).
Text: Psalm 114
Reflection and Question: This short poem is one of those moments where God flickers between the tribal God of the Israelites and the universal God of all creation. On the one hand, Judah becomes God’s sanctuary, giving Israel special favor. On the other hand, the seas and the mountains respond to God’s presence and activity. This flickering is important to me because it documents how our understanding of God changes even within Scripture, itself. And that expansion of our understanding of God continues even now. What is the difference between a tribal god and God of all creation?
who have separated yourselves from Love:
A banquet is prepared for you in the heart’s Secret Room.
Befriend all that is within you, discover the Secret Room in your heart.
Then will abundant blessings enter your home; and, you will welcome the Divine Guest
who is every with you.
(from Psalm 114 in Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying, pp. 242-243)
