“God is jealous, and the LORD avenges. The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.” (Nahum 1:2, NKJV)

There is a popular image of God that is accepted by the world: “God is love.” While we are deeply grateful for this Scriptural truth, it is only half the story, for God is also just.

“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense…” (Deuteronomy 32:35, NKJV)

God was jealous for His people who had been terrorized by the Assyrians. One hundred years before Nahum prophesied, God sent Jonah to Nineveh to pronounce judgment. The Ninevites repented, and God relented from the judgment He said He would bring against the Assyrian capital. But the Ninevites had returned to their vile ways of cruelty, pride and idolatry. They had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and scattered them throughout the nations. They had also come against Judah, invading many of her cities and threatening to take Jerusalem. But now her day of recompense had come, and God would mete out to her what she had meted out to others.

When God pours out His indignation on a nation or people, then who can escape? Fortunately, we who have trusted in Jesus Christ are not appointed to suffer wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

If you think about it, as the only Creator of all mankind, God deserves to be worshiped. It is such an afront to Him to worship a dead idol in His place. But many people in the world put their idols before their Creator, and by so doing, they become enemies of God.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. And He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7, NKJV)

In the Day of Judgment, many will say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” and then tell of all the things that they did in His name. But Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from me” (Matthew 7:22-23). The only way Jesus knows us is for us to know Him by trusting in Him. He is a Good Shepherd and stronghold to all who take refuge in Him and who persevere in doing good. But He will bring indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish against all who are self-seeking and who do not obey the truth (Romans 2:6-9).

“Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us through the whole counsel of your Word. Help us have thoughts of you that are worthy of you. Help us always consider both your kindness toward those who love you and your severity toward those who reject you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

God was jealous for His people who had been terrorized by the Assyrians. One hundred years before Nahum prophesied, God sent Jonah to Nineveh to pronounce judgment. The Ninevites repented, and God relented from the judgment He said He would bring against the Assyrian capital. But the Ninevites had returned to their vile ways—cruelty, pride and idolatry. They had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and scattered them throughout the nations. They had also come against Judah, invading many of her cities and threatening to take Jerusalem. But now her day of recompense had come, and God would mete out to her what she had meted out to others.

When God pours out His indignation on a nation or people, then who can escape? Fortunately, we who have trusted in Jesus Christ are not appointed to suffer wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

If you think about it, as the only Creator of all mankind, God deserves to be worshiped. It is such an afront to Him to worship a dead idol in His place. But many people in the world put their idols before their Creator, and in so doing, they become enemies of God.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. And He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7, NKJV)

In the Day of Judgment, many will say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” and then tell of all the things that they did in His name. But Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from me” (Matthew 7:22-23). The only way Jesus knows us is for us to know Him by trusting in Him. He is a Good Shepherd and stronghold to all who take refuge in Him and who persevere in doing good. But He will bring indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish against all who are self-seeking and who do not obey the truth (Romans 2:6-9).

“Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us through the whole counsel of your Word. Help us hold thoughts of you that are worthy of you. Help us always consider both your kindness toward those who love you and your severity toward those who reject you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”