A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE

Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts… —Nahum 3:5

The recent targeting of conservative groups by the IRS illustrates how the powerless can be at the mercy of the powerful. In the case of the IRS, they used their power in a very abusive way. Anyone who gets a notice from them is truly concerned, especially when they are against those who do not line up with their values.

Power— it can be used abusively or under control to carry out specific purposes. If the verse above there are words that nobody should want to hear the Lord say—“I am against you.” The Lord God Almighty does what is right as He carries out His plans and purposes on this planet. He does not abuse His power— ever.

The context of the verse above is about Assyrian Nineveh in 697 BC. In 760 BC the Lord told Jonah to “go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” We know the story of Jonah. He disobeyed and the Lord dealt with His disobedience. Jonah was given a second opportunity by the Lord and did go preach against it. The result was that the whole city repented and the Lord did not destroy the city (Jonah 3:6-10). Now, 63 years later, the Lord is once again ready to judge that “great city” and nation.

These words “I am against you” are words nobody should want to hear from the Lord’s mouth. Yet, there are multitudes that shake their fists at God and do not want anything to do with Him. This is a very dangerous place to be, eternally dangerous. We read in Romans 1:24, 26, 28 that “God gave them up.” When God is against someone or a nation that can be experienced in different ways. For Nineveh in Jonah’s day & Nahum’s it would be by bringing an enemy against them. In Romans 1 it is by the Lord giving them up and allowing people to go their own way. In verse 24 “God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves;” in verse 26-27 God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error;” in verse 28 “God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”

What does this mean for America? These things are prevalent in our nation. Are we beginning to experience the judgment of God? Is He “giving us up?” We need leaders—in churches and in government— that will call the nation to repentance. May it be so! If this does not happen, followers of Jesus Christ need to be faithful and shine in the midst of the darkness.

Dear Father, I am grateful to know that I am at peace with You though Jesus Your Son. Yes, I am so thankful that You promise peace in the midst of storms and to know that You are ultimately in control of all things. It is wonderful to know You are 100% trustworthy when I so many times do not understand what is happening. I am grateful.

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