Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You,
glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11
The scene of the parting of the Red Sea in Cecil B. DeMille’s epic film The Ten Commandments is one of the most famous and memorable special effects shots of classic cinematography. However, standing on the beach with the children of Israel 3,500 years ago would have been much more impressive.
The emotional swing from the terror of fleeing from a huge Egyptian army to the elation of seeing all one’s enemies totally destroyed would have been intense. Being eye witnesses of God’s awesome power invoked a sense of gratitude that was spontaneously released in song: “I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!” (Exodus 15:1). There must have been great joy, but also a little timidity in their voices while singing to the One who is Fearful in Praises.
If God’s triumph over Egypt was awe inspiring, Christ’s victory over sin, death, and hell at the cross was even more so. Satan and his demon army were defeated forever, and they never saw it coming. The awesomeness of this victory makes Christians of all centuries want to sing:
When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain’t just putting on the Ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There’s thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn’t joking when He kicked ’em out of Eden
It wasn’t for no reason that He shed His blood
His return is very close and so you better be believing that
Our God is …“Fearful in Praises”
adapted from Rich Mullins (1955-1997)
February 24
