Come and see the works of God: He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the river on foot: there we will rejoice in Him. 7 He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. —Psalm 66:5-7
The author of these words makes an important point that is often overlooked as he reminds the reader of the awesome works of God toward the sons of men. He uses the partings of the Red Sea and the Jordan River as evidence of the lengths to which our God will go for the sake of His people. When the verse reads “sons of men” here, in the Hebrew “men” means “Adam.” It’s significant that the Holy Spirit chose to use this word instead of “Israel,” which would limit the scope of the text. By using “Adam,” He invites all of us to recall the incredible doings of God toward all the descendants of Adam.
Our psalms over the past few weeks have been very practical, teaching us how to wait on the Lord with a proper heart and attitude and also what we should do when those dry seasons encroach upon our lives. We must admit our own tendency to overlook the acts of God on our behalf in the past while waiting for Him to act in the present. It might be that you need a “Red Sea” experience this morning, or you’re waiting for the swollen waters of the Jordan River to stand up in a heap so that you may cross over on dry ground to safety. Our great God can and does do such things, but never forget that He does them for people and not as a performance.
If you’re waiting for a miracle, please remember this truth: God loves us enough to prove His love for us. In what way, you ask? In that He has already swallowed up our great enemy, Death, and has made a way for us to cross over into the Promised Land.
Romans 5:8-9 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Just as the rebellious Egyptian army was not allowed to exalt themselves above the will of God as they pursued His people through the parted sea, neither will your enemies’ plans prevail over you. You are the Lord’s, and nothing can separate you from the love of God or snatch you from the Father’s hand.
“When you pass through the waters [which you may have to do], I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . ” (Isaiah 43:2-3a).
Hold on to these precious words, which could be companions to these in the New Testament as well: “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Let’s begin our day with praise to our great God who loved us so much that He sent His precious Son to die in our place that we might live with Him forever!
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