God of Justice, God of Love
“1 A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.
6 Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.
7 The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
8 but with an overwhelming flood
he will make an end of Nineveh;
he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.
15 Look, there on the mountains,
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, Judah,
and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;
they will be completely destroyed.”
Today's message centers on the book of Nahum, highlighting God's justice, judgment, and goodness. Nahum prophesies the fall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, a nation that destroyed Northern Israel and was known for its cruelty and pride. Through Nahum, we see God not just as the God of Israel but as the God of the entire universe who judges with righteousness.
Nineveh also appears in the book of Jonah, where it was spared through repentance, but in Nahum, their wickedness leads to their inevitable destruction. This shows that God does not tolerate evil and is a righteous judge who punishes sin. However, God is not a merciless judge; He is good to those who repent and is like a stronghold for those who take refuge in Him.
God is powerful enough to judge all worldly powers and nations. The pride and cruelty of Assyria invited God's judgment, and this principle remains true today. No nation or authority can stand before God's supreme authority. Yet, God does not desire judgment alone; He offers salvation to those who repent and rely on Him.
Because God is good, He cannot leave evil unaddressed. But in His goodness, He welcomes those who turn back to Him and depend on Him for salvation. God is a God of love, but without judgment, even His love would lose its meaning.
Let us humbly receive this message from God today. May we entrust ourselves to the good God, who receives those who seek refuge in Him. Let us strive to emulate Him, living lives of justice, humility, and love.
Prayer: Lord, we revere You and praise Your holiness and justice. Renew our inner selves with Your grace, and help us to live just and loving lives, reflecting You in all we do. Guide us to live without fear of the world’s injustices, trusting in Your ultimate judgment, and singing Your praises each day. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.