WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: ‘The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty’ (Numbers 14:18). Worship the Lord, who balances mercy and justice. Accountable to God Is God in control? Nahum has no doubt. God raises nations up (v 2), brings others low (v 13). Every nation is both precious to God (Isaiah 19:25) and accountable to God (Isaiah 10:5–7). God had already shown Nineveh great love and mercy (1:3; Jonah 1:23; 3:10; 4:11). One generation repented, the next did not! Nahum’s prophecy is a sober warning to nations and individuals that we mustn’t presume upon God’s mercy. Perfect justice In perfect justice God limits his patience. Those who continue to rebel and reject him (1:9–11) face the consequences (2:1,13; John 3:36). In 612 BC Nineveh was attacked by a coalition of Babylonians, Medes and Scythians. According to Nahum God is behind the attack (vs 1,13)! It is troubling to think of our loving God allowing the destructive chaos of war. But God’s judgement on Nineveh was just: a nation grown rich from pillaging and plundering others got the same treatment (vs 10,12,13); a nation that celebrated war (vs 11,12) experienced its horrors (vs 4,6–10). God allows nations to reap what they have sown. This therefore should encourage us to pray that our nation and others heed God’s warnings and repent. Respond: Use today’s news to prompt your prayers for the nations, keeping in mind the declaration of Psalm 99:1. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-02-18