God Is Good Even Though He Is Filled With Wrath
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Nahum 1:1-15 and Psalm 53:1-6 (NIV)
(Goh Kheng Guan from Worship & Music Ministry)
READ:
Nahum 1:1-15 and Psalm 53:1-6 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Nahum 1 recorded the prophet Nahum’s prophecy of the impending destruction of the arrogant and evil city of Nineveh. God assured His people that He would not allow those that persistently did evil to go unpunished for long.
Verse 2 recorded that ‘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.’ Other verses in Nahum 1 speak of God’s holiness and His love for His people that have been oppressed. They also reflect our Lord as a very harsh and unforgiving God.
However, v3a reminds me that ‘The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;’ Verse 7 assures me that ‘The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.’ In Psalm 53:1-6, God spoke about those that rejected Him and did evil but He will save His people by scattering the bones of these evil people and putting them to shame.
These verses reassure me that our Lord’s patience and His goodness work hand in hand with His wrath reserved justly for the unrepentant.
APPLY:
When I read about warnings and impending punishment in the Bible, I must consider whether God is speaking to me. Am I doing or planning anything that goes against God’s word that I should repent from?
Whenever I am in a challenging situation or facing persecution, I must remember that God is good and just. He cares for those who trust in Him.
The Bible speaks of our Lord as a just and loving God. Different parts of the Bible teach me about God and His whole salvation plan, and each part focuses on His various attributes. I must read the Bible with a high view of God, remembering that He is good.
DO:
I must always be mindful and sensitive to all of God’s warnings whenever I read about them in the Bible, hear from the pulpit or fellow believers’ sharing, for it could be God speaking to me.
Whatever grievances I might have, I must not seek vengeance but God’s help to exercise forgiveness. I must let God’s holiness and justice run their course.
PRAY:
Lord, let Your word take root in my heart. Let Your blessings deepen my faith in You. Let Your warnings be opportunities for me to turn from my unholiness. Let Your encouraging messages spur me to love You, worship You and serve You more intimately. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray, Amen.
