URC Daily Devotion 4 January 2026

Psalm 114 
 
Alleluia 
 
When Israel came forth from Egypt,
Jacob’s family from an alien people
Judah became the Lord’s temple,
Israel became his kingdom.
 
The sea fled at the sight:
the Jordan turned back on its course,
the mountains leapt like rams
and the hills like yearling sheep.
 
Why was it, sea, that you fled,
that you turned back, Jordan, on your course?
Mountains, that you leapt like rams;
hills, like yearling sheep?
 
Tremble, O earth, before the Lord,
in the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turns the rock into a pool
and flint into a spring of water.
 
Reflection

I recently watched Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the image that this psalm brought to mind is one of the battles where there were a myriad of soldiers on the hills overlooking the castle that was being overrun.  I didn’t know at the time whether they were “goodies” or “baddies” but they were impressive.

I’ve also been known to watch the sea and its movement, particularly when the weather is stormy (usually from the safety of the television, even though live is more impressive).  The movement of the waves and the power of the ocean are both breathtaking and often terrifying.  Or watching a rockfall or avalanche.  The power of nature is amazing and awesome and terrifying in equal measure.

With such power and presence, is it any wonder that the mountains and seas themselves flee.

We spend so much of our time talking about a relational God, who is in us, beside us, before us and behind us, that we forget the mighty power that is alongside that comforting presence.  It’s refreshing to read about the wonder and magnificence of the power of God, and puts our petty squabbles into perspective.

God is love – yes! But God is also a God of power and might and can do amazing things. 

So next time you find yourself thinking that the sermon has been too “sentimental” or the hymns have been too trite or passe, go out and stand on a mountain, or walk along the beach or even google a thunderstorm or tornado and wonder at the power of God through nature and reset your understanding and be comforted by the strength that is offered.

Prayer

God of power and majesty, 
we look on in awe at your magnificence.  
We see you in the power of a thunderstorm 
and in the crashing of the waves 
and even in the marvel of the view from a mountaintop.  
Help us to know too the power of your love 
shown to us through Christ 
and through us to others. Amen