Word of Encouragement (12/07/2023)
"Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked, because he was angry. 9 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. 10 He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. 11 He rode on a cherub and flew; he was seen on the wings of the wind. 12 He made darkness around him his canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. 13 Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth. 14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice. 15 And he sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them. 16 Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. (2 Sam. 22:8-16)
These metaphors describe how God came to David’s deliverance.
They show God’s burning anger against those who caused David’s distress. His anger caused the earth to reel and rock. Even the foundations of the heavens shook. So enraged was He that His nostrils blasted smoke, his mouth sent forth devouring fire, and glowing coals went out from Him in furious flames. This is how God feels toward the enemies of His people who persecute them. Those who oppose His people oppose Him. So, God promised Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse...” (Gen. 12:3). When He confronted Saul of Tarsus, who was on his way to persecute the Christians there, He said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9:4)? When people persecute God’s people, they heap burning coals of God’s wrath on their heads (Rom. 12:20).
These metaphors also show how swiftly God came to David’s rescue when his cries for help reached His ears. To come quickly to David’s aid, God bowed the heavens and came down. He rode on a cherub and flew as if He were on the wings of the wind. When God decides to act on behalf of His people, He is swift and there is no stopping Him. No distance is too far. Here is no obstacle that is too high. He will not let anything stand in His path to rescue His people.
The metaphors also show the terror of God’s power. This is done through the metaphors of darkness, which communicate a sense of dread: “thick darkness was under his feet”; “He made darkness around him his canopy.” They are associated with the thick, dark clouds and deafening thunders of the storm: “thick clouds, a gathering of water”; “The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice.” God’s help that came was described by the metaphors of fire and lightning: “Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth”; “he sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them.” God does not just get angry and pout because He is helpless to do anything about it. He may be patient and long-suffering. But when the time comes, His righteous anger is unleashed in dreadful punishment. No one can thwart or withstand the outpouring of His wrath.
What happened at the dreadful demonstration of God’s power? “Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare....” These metaphors communicate that, when God comes in His judgment, everything will be exposed; no evil deed will be hidden in secret. God will be justified in His wrath and punishment, and no one will be able to give any excuse.
David gives his reflection on the past in these metaphors. This choice presents his personal experience as a pattern of God’s judgment on the wicked throughout history as well as the Final Judgment. We can expect God’s deliverance from our distress. We know that God has already done so in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who endured our Final Judgment when He died on the cross. And we are assured that God will judge the wicked, and no sin will go unpunished. Let us rest secure in this truth. And let us pray for those who do not know Jesus Christ yet so that they may escape God’s coming wrath and receive eternal life in Jesus Christ.