Nahum 1

1 This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh. 2 The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and wrath. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and furiously destroys his enemies!

God has a 'dark' side. He doesn't tolerate opposition. To His enemies He is vengeful and destructive. So we need to make sure that we don't tick Him off.

3 The LORD is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. 4 At his command the oceans and rivers dry up, the lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wilt. 5 In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed. 6 Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.

There is a bunch of insight that we get about God from verse three.

God is slow to anger. If you mess up, He gives you a chance to clean up. He doesn't let loose if you set things right after you mess up. He may overlook minor mess ups if you make restitution. He may overlook isolated incidents if you make restitution. But if you make a big mess up that cannot be properly cleaned up, or if are getting into a habit and not repenting and hurting others then watch out – He is going to come after you.

God speaks to us through the situations He creates around us. When your life begins to get messed up then you know that God's wrath is upon you. The whirlwind and the storm reflect a life where there is one crisis after the other. The dry oceans and rivers, and the removal of lush pastures and green forests indicate a lack of needs. The quakes and the fire represent upheaval and destruction in your life. Be sensitive to what is happening in your life and learn to interpret what God is saying to you through the things happening around you.

7 The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him.

If you are a person who trusts God then God is good. When troubles come He will be your refuge. That is, He will make it work for your good.

8 But he sweeps away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He pursues his foes into the darkness of night. 9 Why are you scheming against the LORD? He will destroy you with one blow; he won't need to strike twice! 10 His enemies, tangled up like thorns, staggering like drunks, will be burned like dry straw in a field. 11 Who is this king of yours who dares to plot evil against the LORD? 12 This is what the LORD says: "Even though the Assyrians have many allies, they will be destroyed and disappear. O my people, I have already punished you once, and I will not do it again. 13 Now I will break your chains and release you from Assyrian oppression." 14 And this is what the LORD says concerning the Assyrians in Nineveh: "You will have no more children to carry on your name. I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods. I am preparing a grave for you because you are despicable and don't deserve to live!" 15 Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace. Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah, and fulfill all your vows, for your enemies from Nineveh will never invade your land again. They have been completely destroyed!

You can't win when God is against you. It doesn't matter who your allies are when God is against you. One blow from God is enough to destroy you.

Then enemies of God will be confused, tangled up like thorns and staggering like drunks. If that is your state of mind then you need to examine yourself and ask if you are an enemy of God. If you find yourself making one bad decision after another then you must ask if it is because God has allowed confusion and stupor to engulf you because you did something to incur His wrath.

In the book of Nahum, the wrath of God was kindled against the Assyrians because they scoffed at God and dealt cruelly with the people of God. When we are proud we become God's enemy. When we go against the people for whom God is for then we become God's enemy. Never speak evil of a servant of God. Never take advantage of the gullible or weak or helpless for God is on their side.