Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. 7 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. 8 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. 9 He bowed the heavens, and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.
This is an awesome description of God in all his wondrous and terrifying power. In the Lord’s Prayer (or the “Our Father”), which we have been studying at the church I lead, Jesus uses the word “Abba” to address God – “Our Father/Abba who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”. Abba is a tender word describing someone with whom there is a close, even intimate relationship. Our passage from today reminds me how revolutionary it was for Jesus to suggest that sort of relationship is possible for children of the God described in Psalm 18.
Heavenly Father, today we are reminded of your awesome power over your creation. Give us grace to call you “Abba” as Jesus did. Amen.
Fuel for the journey 
To me, it is a powerful image; but also confusing. The image of fire and coals makes me think of Satan and hell. I guess God was mad as hell???