April 8, 2020 Voice of Judgment

Mankind all over the world is experiencing God’s judgment.  We all know this is the hand of God, and it is just the beginning.  In recent times of prayer the Lord has told us there will be waves and waves of His judgment coming against the people of the earth.  You may ask, why would our loving God do this? 
 
Yes, God loves us, but He knows we are not living the way we should. We have not heeded His gentle nudges and whispers to make Him first and foremost in our lives.  The prophet Nahum describes God as a jealous God.  When we accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord, He betrothed us to Himself, but we have not given Him the wholehearted devotion He deserves and expects from us.
 
Nahum 1:2-3  God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked..
 
Did you notice God called us His adversaries, His enemies? That is someone who is hostile towards God.  I know we don’t consciously go about our day with the goal of being hostile towards God, but if we are honest with ourselves we are often at cross purposes.  He desires us to be HOLY, but our flesh is pulling us in to compromise and sin. 
 
Nahum 1:5-6  Mountains quake because of Him and the hills dissolve; Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence, the world and all the inhabitants in it. Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire and the rocks are broken up by Him.
 
The world is definitely in a great upheaval right now, we have been lifted up out our jobs, schools, churches, and lives; and plopped into our homes. I believe God has removed the distractions of our lives, in hopes of us spending more time with Him!  Even though we are experiencing a taste of God’s indignation and burning anger; He is always calling us back to Himself out of His great love and care for us.
 
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
 
The Hebrew word for God knowing us is YADA – it means an intimate and very close relationship.   When we repent and run back to Him for refuge, we are telling God that we are putting our trust in Him and not ourselves or the world. He is the One who holds the keys for our hope.
Nahum 2:1  The one who scatters has come up against you. Man the fortress, watch the road; Strengthen your back, summon all your strength.
 
We have three enemies who are constantly coming against us to keep us away from living victorious and holy lives: our self-centered flesh, the pull of the sinful world around us, and the constant temptations and deceptions of satan.  Nahum tell us how to fight against these enemies:

• Man the fortress – stand with other soldiers and PRAY
• Watch the Road – watch to see that your ways are continually lining up with God’s Ways by studying God’s Word
• Strengthen your back and summon all your strength – Worship God with every part of you to acknowledge and remind yourself continually that God is Great and worthy to be praised!