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.—Nahum 1:3-5
He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the LORD was my support.
19 He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.—Psalm 18:17-19
Verses like the ones above me remind me that I have no reason for fear. Perfect love is mine. I have a very big, limitless, all-powerful God, who is all knowing and everywhere present, living in me. My God is eternal and needs nothing. He is perfect. He is immutable. Most importantly, He is on my side...MY GOD IS FOR ME.
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, 'Destroy!'—Deuteronomy 33:27
The God that Nahum speaks of here in this first chapter is a God who is holy and jealous, who will punish the wicked and avenge those who are His. Nineveh had been shown mercy when they repented at the preaching of Jonah. The time for mercy, however, was over. The time for justice had arrived. Verse 7 is my favorite...a refuge and respite for those who are His.
The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.—Nahum 1:7
Contrasting it to verse 8:
But with an overflowing flood
He will make an utter end of its place,
And darkness will pursue His enemies.—Nahum 1:8
They brought to mind the inspired words of Paul in Romans 11, reminding us “to consider the goodness and the severity of God.”
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness.—Romans 11:22
“But toward you, goodness.” ❤️ The nations are as a drop in the bucket to my God who works all things together for my good and His glory. Truly, I can leave ALL in His sovereign hand.
My God is compassionate..a mighty fortress to those who place their hope in Him. I don’t have to live my life in fear. He is my refuge. I walk securely in Him.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.—Psalm 46:1-3
