Though there had been great repentance in Nineveh under the preaching of Jonah 100 years prior, this wicked city turned righteous had once again fallen into the depths of sin. They failed to guard their hearts from evil, from idolatry, from selfish pursuits, and became a stench before the Lord. Judgment was about to come, and Nahum warned this city of God’s impending wrath. There would be no escape; there would be no relief. “Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the heat of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by Him” (Nahum 1.6). Though one may seek to live separate from any relationship with the Lord, may choose to walk in the designs of their own sinful flesh, may run after what fills their hearts with fleeting pleasure as they ignore and reject the truth of God and His Word, this will not change reality. God is still God, and He will not tolerate sin; He will not ignore wickedness; He will not excuse man’s lustful desires and idolatrous acts which reject Him as the God of glory; He will bring judgment.
The Lord’s wrath is undeniable and unmistakable; His judgments are ever righteous coming from the throne of His holiness. However, He is also a God of great love, who redeems lost sinners from the misery of judgment; who graciously cares and provides for His own; who mercifully accepts the repentant and shelters them under His sovereign protection. “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him” (1.7). Here is our hope, for our Lord is always good and always good to His redeemed. Here is our security, for He will never change, and His strength is never weakened, is never inferior to another, is never incapable of helping us in any situation of our lives. Here is our contentment, for our Lord will provide all we need to live in righteousness before Him, to live in harmony with Him, and to live in victory through Him.
Knowing Christ is ever good – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 