The Lord Is Slow To Anger

But Great In Power

A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.

Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

Whatever they plot against the Lord he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.

Nahum 1:1-9

We can stand in front of God and He can be our refuge. He can also be a judge.

In Nahum, we see God as both a refuge and a judge.

Over 100 years earlier, Ninevah had repented after Jonah preached God’s forgiveness, and the land was safe. But during Nahum’s day, Ninevah was plotting “evil against the Lord.”

Many people believe they only see one side of God, ask refuge or as judge.

The whole truth about God is good news! He is judge, but because of Jesus, we can go to Him as our refuge.

God’s justice and mercy intersect at the cross.

Our Daily Bread – March 21, 2015