A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 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. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade. The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

God is a God of wrath and vengeance against the evil people of this world. He does not let the wicked go unpunished. Many times we wonder how evil people can seemingly get away with horrible crimes? I believe it is because we live in a fallen and sinful world. But we also live in a just and righteous universe controlled by a pure God. So the wicked will not go unpunished forever.

I also believe God is gracious and slow to anger in order to allow sinners to repent.

Is God calling you to repentance (Is he calling me)? In what areas of our lives? Is it for sins of commission or sins of omission? These are healthy questions to ask. For we know not the day or hour of Jesus Christ’s return, and we know not the day or hour our physical bodies will die.

While having a healthy and honest understanding of the vengeance and wrath of God is good, we also must understand his heart of love and the goodness he enacts for us. Here it says that he is good and a refuge in times of trouble. Oh, how many times I have run to him in trouble or even after a fall.
He protects me.

It also says that he cares for those who trust in him. When we trust him as our God and our refuge and strength, he provides for us in so many ways.

Lord, thank you for this passage by your prophet ‭‭Nahum‬. It clearly articulates your goodness and love combined with your vengeance and wrath. You are just and you are merciful. I thank you for all that you are and I choose to trust you in all things!