Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2442 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through Psalm 18, focusing on verses 7 to 15 from the New Living Translation. In these verses, we witness a powerful depiction of God’s might and His response to the prayers of His people.
So, let’s prepare our hearts and minds as we delve into this passage’s vivid imagery and profound truths.
Psalm 18:7-15 (NLT):
Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger. Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. Thick clouds shielded the brightness around him and rained down hail and burning coals. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were greatly confused. Then at your command, O Lord, at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.
The Majesty and Power of God:
In these verses, we are presented with a stunning portrayal of God’s majesty and power. David describes the Lord’s intervention in dramatic terms, using vivid imagery that evokes awe and reverence. In verse 7, the earth quakes, and trembles, and the very foundations of the mountains shake in response to God’s anger. This is a powerful reminder of the might and sovereignty of God over all creation.
The following verses, 8 and 9, continue this depiction of God’s power: “Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.” The imagery here is striking, emphasizing God’s overwhelming strength and the intensity of His presence.
God’s Divine Intervention:
As we move to verses 10 and 11, we see God’s divine intervention described in terms of a celestial journey: “Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds.” This poetic description highlights the swiftness and majesty of God’s movement, as well as the mystery surrounding His actions.
In verse 12, “Thick clouds shielded the brightness around him and rained down hail and burning coals,” we see a continuation of the theme of God’s power over the elements. The brightness of His presence is so intense that...
