God’s nature
Two Aspects of God
Nahum 1:2-8
During the prophesying of Nahum to the people of Nineveh, we are given insight into two great aspects of God. We can see the severity and kindness of God. Nahum states how the Lord is a jealous and avenging God, as well as wrathful, and that His vengeance is going to come upon His adversaries. We also know that He is a God that will not leave the guilty unpunished.
However, God is also good and kind. Nahum says how He is a stronghold in the day of trouble and that He knows those who take refuge in Him. God will punish those that are against Him but He will also protect those with Him. And when it says that God knows it means that He truly knows those that are with Him and not just those who act like they are when it benefits them. God’s kindness is truly great for those with Him, but are you with Him? And being neutral is does not count in this instance. Because even if you live a life that consists of good and happiness you still have to be on one side or the other. You can’t live a life absent of God and be on His team. If we live for ourselves, even if that means we live a good and moral life, we are still adversaries of God because we are not His allies.
God wants us to be on His side and He wants to protect us from the death that is to come, but we have to make that choice. So what kind of choice will we make? Will we live for God and hold fast to all that He teaches or live for ourselves and be the object of God’s wrath in the end? Jacob Saarloos
God reigns!
We have seen, heard, and even experienced the idea of change. Politicians have used that word and have we ever seen the change that has happened in our country. We who have been blessed to get past being young and now are getting to be “old” have seen and experienced the changes that have taken place in our lives.
With all this change going on, we wonder what is going to happen next, what will be changed in the morning when I wake up to a new day? Most of us don’t handle change very well. We don’t like big changes in our lives. We don’t like to get out of our comfort zone. So we say, leave it alone, “If it is not broke, don’t fix it.” I know I feel that way a lot of times. However, from the above passage, let’s focus on two things when changes occur.
God…even the One who sits enthroned from of old—with whom there is no change.
Psalm 55:19
One of the first things you notice about the book of Revelation is that John is allowed to see the throne room to see God on the throne. A lot of Christians thought God had left them alone, but He had not, so John sees and tells about God on the throne, ruling everything. When life gets tough, tedious and it looks like God doesn’t care, just remember, He is still ruling this world!
The second thing is that God doesn’t change. Oh, there are things about Him that change. His laws, for example, have changed. We don’t have to build an ark. We don’t have to offer up animal sacrifices. We don’t have to go to Jerusalem. But His nature does not change. He still desires the sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart over our sins. He is still looking for a demonstration of faith in our lives. He is still full of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever!
So, stop wringing your hands and trying to figure out what God is doing. He is still ruling like He always has done and He is not going to change, even if the whole world does. Rejoice and be happy, for He is so good, gracious, and faithful.
