PEACE IN A STORM

“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.” - Nahum 1:2

The obstacles and hardships we face might seem never-ending at times, and it can feel like we are in the eye of a hurricane. The good news, however, is that even in the middle of these storms. There is peace, comfort, and hope in the Lord, even in the storms of life.

UNDERSTANDING GOD’S  PEACE AND JEALOUSY 

Nahum 1:2 shows us that God is jealous, though this seems counterintuitive to all we are usually taught about God. How can He be peaceful, benevolent, and loving yet simultaneously harbor jealousy? His jealousy becomes understandable when we consider who God is and the connection He longs to have with us.

The reason God made us is so that we may have fellowship with Him. He longs to be loved and adored by us. In truth, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) is the first Commandment for a reason, and God's jealousy for His people is the source of this commandment. He asks that we are entirely devoted to Him and not to anything or anyone else. 

But why is God possessive? Does He feel insecure? The answer is simple and complex at the same time.  The jealousy of God is righteous. This possessiveness stems from His love for His people and His desire to keep us safe at all costs. He wants us to experience peace during chaotic times. 

Anything, and anybody, that we make more important than God becomes our idol. When we worship an idol, our faith is in something other than God. By rejecting God, the One who loves us most and wants to offer us life in abundance, we are closing our hearts to Him. This is why God cares so much about who we are worshipping and where our focus is. He knows we will be happiest and most fulfilled when we worship Him alone. He knows we can only be at peace when we have an intimate relationship with Him. He wants to guard us against the anxieties and cares of this life by giving us security and assurance of His presence and provisions. 

So what happens if our worship of God falls short of what it should be? Can His envy turn into wrath? Nahum 1:3 states, “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” 

Despite His jealous nature, God is slow to lose His temper, as this scripture reveals. Out of His great love for us, He allows us to make amends and return to Him. However, those who choose to disobey will eventually face His anger and judgment.

What does this imply for us right now? The implications for how we approach God in worship are profound. We must show Him the respect and love He deserves. We must abandon any substitutes for God that we may have been worshiping. We may need to walk away from some games, friends, or activities that have taken the place of God in our hearts. We must return to God.

God's jealousy may be hard to wrap your head around, yet it stems from His great love for us. Jesus seeks our adoration not because He is weak or insecure but because He understands that we can find completeness, satisfaction, and happiness in Him alone. Let’s give God the praise He so richly deserves. He is a jealous God who loves us fiercely, and His jealousy always leads us to find true peace and refuge in His presence.

FINDING PEACE AND REFUGE IN GOD

In his introductory words, the prophet Nahum addresses the people of Judah, who were bracing themselves for a big storm in the form of the imminent threat posed by the Assyrian army. In Nahum 1:3, Nahum tells the people that God is both just and mighty and that He will bring vengeance against those who have been unjust. On the other hand, he also tells them that God is slow to become angry and that those who seek Him can find safety in Him.

Nahum 1:7 goes further, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him..” It is clear from this passage that the Lord is not only just and strong but also merciful and good. In times of adversity, He is our sanctuary, and He is familiar with people who put their trust in Him. We can always take refuge in God, no matter what kind of storm we go through. He is faithful.

But how can we remain calm despite the turmoil that surrounds us? The solution is clear: we need to look to God for help. In Nahum 1:7,  the prophet reminds us that the Lord is our fortress. We can look to Him for defense and safety when confronted with obstacles and hardships. When we put our faith in God, even in the middle of the most turbulent circumstances, we can discover a sense of calm.

We need to have faith in the plan that God has for us. He is in control and has a plan for each of our lives. We must remain as focused and devoted to Him as He is to us.

Remember the words of Nahum while you are in the thick of the storm, my beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord. Put your faith in God, seek refuge in him, and be confident that he will never leave your side. We can find calm in the middle of the storm if we put our faith in Him.

I pray that the Lord will bless and keep you and that His peace will always be with you. Amen.