God is a fierce protector and provider for His people even in the midst of chastening. He loves his people and hates his enemies. He makes a clear distinction between His enemies, whom He will destroy, and His people, whom He will preserve. Even when it seems that people are getting away with sin and all kinds of evil, God sees it all and will eventually judge the sin.
We see and hear about so much hate and sin in the world and it seems people are just getting away with everything evil. We see the injustice and crime increasing all over. We hear of the corruption in many of the governments of the world and the unethical practices in many of the businesses we interact with daily. Sometimes it just seems that the evil, the wrong, the sin continues without any consequences for those who are doing it. But the Word of God reminds us that God sees all and knows all. He is always watching over the affairs of man. Nothing slips by Him and no one gets away with evil even when they might think that they do. God is very careful to not let sin continue on unpunished indefinitely. He does, and will, judge sin and bring swift consequences at His set time. Likewise, in the midst of God chastening His people for their disobedience to Him, He shows Himself as a fierce protector and provider for all that belongs to Him.
There are many examples in the Bible where this truth of God seeing all and bringing judgement upon sin after a while is shared. One of those examples is in the Book of Nahum, one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. The Book of Nahum opens with direct and stark words from God concerning Nineveh, capital city of Assyria (and yes, the same nineveh from the story of jonah where the people had once repented for their sins and God spared them of His wrath). Without going really deep into the history of what brought this on, there is the understanding that this nation and its leaders were enemies of Israel (and therefore enemies of God). At that time Assyria (modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran) was a dominant world power and was very brutal and aggressive in their conquering of land. Now God had used this nation previously to chasten, or discipline, His people who had continuosly disobeyed Him. But at the time of the Book of Nahum, this empire and its leader were planning to take over all of Israel. The king boasted about his army’s strength and even declared that God could not stop him (2Kings 18:13, 19-22, 33-35; 2 Chronicles 32:14-16). God let it be known that He had not apporved Assyria to afflict His people a second time and that He would bring a complete end to all of their plans (Nahum 1:9 AMP). Further proof that He is fully aware of every sin that man commits, God descriptively listed in the second chapter of Nahum the acts of destruction and brutalness that Assyria had brought upon the land. Now was His time to judge that nation, and He did not offer time for repentance as He had before. At the same time, He assured Israel of His care, love, and protection for them. While the enemy nation was planning to further advance in the land, God would preserve Israel during the time of judgement. See, God is a fierce enemy to His enemies, but He is a very fierce protector to all who belong to and trust in Him.
Evil may appear to persist without consequences, but rest assured that there is a day of God’s judgement coming to all who sin and refuse to turn to God. Every nation and every person who continue to oppose God will face God’s anger and wrath. Every nation and person who stand believing and trusting God in obedience will be protected in the day of trouble.
Scripture References: Nahum 1,2,3; 2 Kings 18:13, 19-22, 33-35; 2 Kings 19:20-28, 32-37; 2 Chronicles 32:14-17, 19-22; Isaiah 37:23,33; Isaiah 10:5-19; Zephaniah 3:13; Matthew 12:41
reflective journal prompts
Take this time to reflect and journal using the following prompt questions. Use this time for introspection and communion with God. Feel free to leave a comment on the post, but, also, use your journal to go deeper and to capture your thoughts on what was shared in the post.
Q: What other accounts from the Bible do you recall where God fiercely protected His own while bringing destruction to His enemies?
Q: What is a time that you remember, and recognize, God’s protection for you in the midst of His chastening or correction in your life?
Q: Has there been a time when you did not understand a “second chance” given by God to someone who had done wrong by you and maybe hurt you? What was your response to God in this? (Thinking on the story of Jonah and the time God was willing to spare the people of Nineveh if they would repent. This was a showing of God’s mercy before final judgement.)
