God is grieved about the oppression of His people by those who are violent and arrogant.
Even though God is slow to anger, He won’t leave evil unpunished.
Jesus protects and saves His faithful people from sin.
God is powerful and won’t allow destructive behavior which hurts and causes suffering of the innocent to endure forever. He disciplines, out of love, to bring people to repentance and forgiveness. It is extremely important to know who Jesus is and to depend on Him. Read more about Jesus Christ.
Nahum
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| The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7 ESV |
God’s glory doesn’t change from age to age concerning the cycle of violence.
Creation was perfectly designed, but sin brought evil. No one is immune to the effects and consequences of the fall. Whether it be weakness, an unhealthy attitude, an addiction, cancer, illness, hostility, broken relationship, natural disaster, or approaching death, everyone has or will face some type of trouble or difficulty. While experiencing such things, you may feel lonely, yet you are not alone.
Throughout history and still now, God uses evil to destroy evil and bring about His purposes. He wants to be kind, good and merciful to all. God’s Word shapes and forms us as He intends. We are free to either receive faith and believe Scripture as true; or reject the gift of faith and turn away from the wisdom and help it contains. Only God has perfect knowledge—seeing within hearts of who receives as well as who refuses.
Jesus died and was resurrected to save humankind. God is faithful to all who turn to Him for forgiveness and cleansing from sin. Made holy by the power of God’s gifts of repentance and faith, in confidence which consoles and encourages the terrified mind, they are safe by grace. He cares for, keeps and guides believers who trust His Word which fills them with tenacity, resilience and assurance of hope in Christ. The Holy Spirit provides strength to expect difficulty and death, yet joyfully move forward in this life, honored to share peace with everyone—the certain hope of eternal life with Jesus when there will be no more pain or tears in heavenly paradise.
“The risen Jesus brought the cycle of violence to an end by bringing his non-violent kingdom and overcoming our violence by his self-giving love. Despite the fact so much evil still pervades the world today, we have to hold onto the same hope as the Hebrew prophets, that God is at work bringing about his redemptive plans. We have the great privilege of knowing the name of the world’s gracious judge: Jesus, the Messiah who reigns as King, and who will return one day to finish the work he started on the cross.” Aeron Sullivan
“For Nineveh, God’s patience came to an end. The evil nation of Assyria that had tyrannized surrounding peoples, acquiring wealth and power at their expense, was overthrown, and it disappeared from the annals of history. God’s wrath is revealed against all unrighteousness (Rm 1:18). Because of our sins, we also deserve His wrath and displeasure. Yet ‘God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Th 5:9). God’s wrath was poured out on Christ, and by faith in Him we have pardon and peace.” The Lutheran Study Bible
God’s patience comes to an end for all who suppress truth and refuse mercy. The action of rejecting the Holy Spirit incurs judgement, punishment of eternal death, separation from Christ.
“…if we think our efforts are able to earn freedom for our souls, we too get it wrong.” The Rev. Dr. Tyler Arnold
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Prayer
“Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan
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