Melting mountains

A few weeks ago I was listening to an interview on NPR (National Public Radio, the CBC of the US for Canadians out there).  It was on a program called Fresh Air hosted by Terry Gross.  She was interviewing a woman, T.M. Luhrmann who had written a book called, "When God Talks Back."  The author, who does not identify as a Christian, had spent some time in a Vineyard church community to better understand the experience of Christians hearing from God.  I commend the interview if you can find it.  Ms. Luhrmann is both interesting and sympathetic to the notion of people actually hearing from God.

There was one thing in particular which she said that I found to be quite thought provoking.  I am paraphrasing, but she said something like "In the 1960s God became nice" or "friendly" or some such word.  She was describing perhaps a social and cultural phenomenon where God's wrath or judgment has been given less focus, while his love and acceptance has been emphasized.

I thought of this again this morning while reading the Psalms.  Contrasted with the nice or friendly God I read this:

A fire goes before him

and burns up his enemies o n every side.

His lightnings light up the world;

the earth sees it and is afraid.

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord

at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Psalm 97:3-5

Feels a little less friendly.

Now I quite understand the emphasis on this God of love.  St. John says in his first  epistle that God is love. (Not, as C.S. Lewis points out, Love is God, but I digress.)  The work of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of a God who loves us and longs for us to be in relationship with him.  Too heavy an emphasis on the wrath of God and his judgment might indeed intimidate anyone from every wanting to approach him.

But we simply cannot erase the picture of God as the one in whose presence the mountains melt like wax.  The biblical witness of God includes his power and his holiness.  As we approach God it is critical to remember, as "friendly" as he is, he is totally other than us.  Jesus tells us we are his friends, but it is wise to remember the might, majesty and power of this particular friend.

Mountains melting like wax at his presence serves to underline the inestimable love he has for us.  I am wildly less substantial than a mountain. If the mountains melt, what chance is there for me? (Reminds me of Isaiah's "woe is me" in chapter 6 of that excellent book.)  And yet, because of his love for us in Jesus, we might be in his presence and not be undone.

There is a balanced road we walk between the terrifying, unapproachable God and God as our bro.  The one may well keep us from him; the other is just too familiar.  He is hidden in light inaccessible, as the hymn suggests AND he is our Father in heaven, as Jesus taught us to pray.