It seems that there is only one thing all Americans can agree upon these days: we want “them” to get what is coming to them. Of course, we disagree strongly and bitterly about the identity of “them:” some direct their anger at the Washington and Hollywood elites who are busily tearing down traditional cultural and political norms, while others decry the bigotry of and hate of those who refuse to endorse all sorts of sexual gratification. But a desire for vengeance on our enemies seems to be universal.

Well, in Nahum 1:2 we learn that our Lord is just as focused on vengeance. And why? Because He is jealous. As our creator, He longs to be in relationship with those He made in His image. And so whenever we turn away from Him, He is not only sorrowful, but righteously angry with us – precisely because He loves us so much.

And make no mistake: the Lord insists that He will indeed one day give “them” exactly what they deserve. He will pour out His wrath like fire (1:6) and pursue His enemies into darkness (1:8). But notice that those who will experience this sort of judgment are not defined by their political party or their policy positions. No, it is those who are opposed to God, the adversaries of the Lord who will feel His wrath (1:2).

So, what can we learn from passages like this one? We can rejoice when God’s love moves Him to protect His people from harm (1:7). We can rejoice that God’s justice will one day make all things right (1:15). But we need to remember that the only thing that really matters is our relationship with the Lord. So if we haven’t yet acknowledged God’s claim on our lives, we need to take God’s jealous love seriously and surrender to Him – before it’s too late.

Nahum 1:1-8 (NASB)

The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; The blossoms of Lebanon wither.
5 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.
6 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.
7 The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of its site, And will pursue His enemies into darkness.