(Nahum 1:3-8)…..The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. 5 The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it. 6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him. 7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies.He is compassionate – full of mercy – full of grace – towards those who are His
The LORD is slow to anger, but His justice will someday judge the wicked while not acquitting them (Romans 9:22-24). The LORD will have His way in the judgment of man. That is a terrifying reality for those who do not know God and reject His gospel in unbelief.
In the whirlwind and the storm are terms often used to describe the Lord’s coming to man quickly and with fierce anger (Job 38:1-3) (Psalm 50:1-3) (Isaiah 66:14-16) (Proverbs 10:25). Think about this, He is very powerful God, and He alone is the Sovereign Creator (Colossians 1:16-17). Should we not have reverence towards Him? Should we not respect His might and power? What will it be like for this world to fall into the hands of an angry God?
What great things are clouds to us, but to God they are only the dust of His feet. He alone rebukes the sea and makes it dry (Exodus 14:15-25). Bashan which was rich in pasture land – oak trees – (Isaiah 2:13-14) (Micah 7:13-14). Carmel which was rich in gardens and vineyards. Lebanon which was rich vineyard’s – fragrant flowers – cedar trees cypress trees – (Hosea 14:7) (Song of Solomon 4:11). As great and wondrous in beauty these are, they would wilt at His presence in judgment (Nahum 1:5-6). Who can endure such a God (Jeremiah 10:6-10) (Revelation 6:17)?
Consider His power to destroy in (Matthew 10:28)….“ And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
And yet in all this…..The LORD Is Good (1:7). Now consider His power to deliver us from death, sin, and wrath. Is God good? Christian the LORD has been good to you! Some might say God is good just because He has given them salvation, and has provided so much for them. But is the LORD good even if He judges men, giving them the punishment of death for their sin? Even if He destroys nations and people for their rejection of Him? Yes! The LORD is good all the time! It is His character to be good (1 Chronicles 16:34) (Psalm 25:6-10) (Psalm 100:4-5) (Psalm 145:8-9).
How good has God been towards those who believe on Him? Well, read (Psalm 31:19) (Psalm 86:1-5). He is a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He is our stronghold (Psalm 37:39-40). He knoweth them that trust in Him because God’s knowledge of us is Intimate (Psalm 139:1-12).
Does He know you – intimately? We read in (Matthew 7:21-23)….“Not every one that says ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them ‘Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you.’” For the one that truly belongs to Christ – there is great news (2 Timothy 2:19). Listen please, there must be a relationship with the Lord Himself, one that involves prayer, love, devotion, and knowledge of Him, these help in getting to know God (Romans 12:1-2) (Ephesians 3:1-4)