The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;

the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.

Nahum 1:3, NIV 

 

If you're like me, you prefer the pleasant promises that God gives. We like it when He tells us that He will take care of us, and we like it when He tells us of the eternal life that He has planned for the faithful. And we even like the promises He makes like the one above... as long as He is talking about someone else.

 

The fact is that God has made a lot of promises, and He always, always, always keeps His word, for it is impossible for the LORD to lie. Since this is true, we can take comfort in the fact that God will not let the guilty go unpunished. That means that evil men will not get away with their wickedness forever, for there will be a day of reckoning.

 

The problem is, of course, that the promise also applies to us when we are wicked!

 

So does this mean that God wants us to live a life of fearful expectation, just waiting for our punishment that will someday come? The answer to that question is, perhaps surprisingly to some, "yes"! Yes, God does want us to live in fear, but only if we decide not to repent of our sins, seek forgiveness, and turn to Him in His way. But the answer to that same question is also "no" because God would far rather have us repent of our sins and not live in fear of the terrible judgment that will most certainly come upon those who refuse to give up their lives of sin and live for Him.

 

Which answer do you want... when it comes to God's righteous promises?

 

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7, NIV 

 

Today is the 28th day of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of the prophets of God, with the books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah being the readings for today. May God richly bless you as you seek His Word and look forward to the fulfillment of all His righteous promises!