TAKE REFUGE!
TAKE REFUGE!
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. —Nahum 1:3
Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. —Nahum 1:6-8
What will people do with the Lord when He is angry with them? What will they do with the Lord’s great power? What will they do when He confronts their guilt? Who in their right mind would want to be an enemy of His? Who can stand before Him in their guilt? Who is going to be able to endure the heat of His anger? His wrath is like a fire and He will make a complete end of those who are against Him. That is not a good place to be! There are eternal consequences for a person to die in their guilt!
But… “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” The wise man will put his trust, his faith in the Lord Jesus (Matthew 7:13-29; Romans 10:13). The fool will not (Luke 12:13-21). “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5). “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11). “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30). “The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned” (Psalm 34:22). “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 27:12).
Brother and sister let us be like the Apostle “As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you” (Acts 24:25). We are not responsible for the decisions of others, but we are responsible to share the gospel with them (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). There is no excuse for not doing so! “If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” (Proverbs 24:12). “At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself” (Ezekiel 3:16-19). Let us encourage those in their guilt to take refuge in Him who bore our guilt that we could be considered guiltless (II Corinthians 5:21). Yes, may we do so!
Dear Father please help me to warn others to take refuge in Jesus so they will not live and die in their guilt. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.