Wrath or Refuge

Today was busy day for me. I was able to manage without a nap and pushed through my schedule. I had three meetings this morning by the time 11 a.m. arrived, which is unusual for my schedule. After some work at home and lunch, I set off for over three hours of appointments and errands.

When I arrived home, Debbie told me we heard the reports from my mole biopsies last week. It does look like the one over my eye is a squamous cell carcinoma, which is the grade between basil cell and melanoma. So it looks like they will need to do some more digging on my forehead.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… The Lord does not easily become angry, but he is powerful and never lets the guilty go unpunished.The Lord is good; he protects his people in times of trouble; he takes care of those who turn to him.” Nahum 1:3,7

The prophet Nahum speaks against the people of Nineveh. If you are familiar with the story of Jonah, you will recall the name of the capitol city of Assyria. Nineveh repented under the preaching of Jonah, but they did not completely turn from their ways. They were used of the Lord to take Israel (the ten northern tribes) into captivity. They were a ruthless and violent people.

After they conquered Israel they came against Judah in the days of Hezekiah. But the Lord intervened and the Assyrians did not shoot an arrow at Jerusalem, but an angel of the Lord went into the camp and destroyed the army that was poised to attack God’s people.

In our human understanding, it is challenging to have a balance view of the Lord. We do see that “God is love.” But God is also, “holy, just and righteous.” That means His patience with evil will have a limit. Some view God as inactive and an almost overindulgent parent. Others view Him as a harsh task master, difficult to please and ready to punish. Neither view is correct.

In our human existence, will continue to live with this mystery of the greatness of God, the “fierceness” of God, if you will and at the same time His love, compassion and mercy. Nahum’s statement is important. “The Lord is not easily angered and never lets the guilty go unpunished.” The Lord’s patience creates as much consternation as His love and judgment. Some are frustrated because God doesn’t act and others view His lack of “immediate divine retribution” as license to continue to lives of disobedience.

How powerful is our God? Look at Nahum’s words, He commands the sea, and it dries up! He makes the rivers go dry. The fields of Bashan wither, Mount Carmel turns brown, and the flowers of Lebanon fade. Mountains quake in the presence of the Lord; hills melt before him. The earth shakes when the Lord appears; the world and all its people tremble.” (Nahum 1:4,5)

What is the appropriate response? Awe and worship to God who is holy and powerful. And when we understand His power that is available to us it gives us hope. Paul in the New Testament says God’s power is so great we limit him by even imaging what to ask, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Eph. 3:20)

For those who place their faith in Christ, God’s power works for us and in us, not against us. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers is appropriate for all time. “…[I pray] our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…” (Eph. 1:17-20)

God’s power for the disobedience brings fear and judgement. For those who live in relationship with Jesus Christ, His power reminds us of His goodness and His work in our lives. God’s holiness and power may bring punishment to the disobedient, but to His children it brings protection, reassurance and confidence.

In your life, in good times and in bad, always find yourself, “turning to the Lord.” That is the place of His care, provision and protection.