Nahum 1:2-3
God is serious business.
He won’t be trifled with.
He avenges his foes.
He stands up against his enemies, fierce and raging.
But God doesn’t lose his temper.
He’s powerful, but it’s a patient power.
Still, no one gets by with anything.
Sooner or later, everyone pays.
Tornadoes and hurricanes
are the wake of his passage,
Storm clouds are the dust
he shakes off his feet.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
From our living room windows, we can see boaters and skiers on Greers Ferry Lake. The larger boats create powerful wakes as they barrel across the water. If you have ever water skied, you know about a boat’s wake…how the motor churns up the water and causes it to ripple like a ribbon that trails behind. If you stay in the middle of that trail – centered on the wake – you have fairly smooth skiing. But if you venture out over the edges where the water curls in mini-waves, you’d better know what you are doing!
I like the analogy of this translation from Nahum… the thought that when God becomes angry, upset or disappointed with us, His power is evident - but patient. He doesn’t bring tornadoes, hurricanes and storms to punish us… but their strength and power are a solid comparison to how intensely – and seriously – He takes our disobedience and disrespect. If you think about storm debris as the dust from God stomping His feet, you get a pretty good idea of how deeply He cares… how passionate He is about our relationship.
I wonder… are we as passionate about our relationship with God? Do we take our covenant seriously? Do we extend to others the same love and care that is offered to us? Are we patient with them? Are we firm in our insistence that relationships be respectful and fair to all parties… but long-suffering when others disappoint – just as God is toward us? Are we quick to operate in “tornadoes, hurricanes and storm clouds”… or do we show grace, mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness?
I have no desire to experience the “storm cloud power” of God in my own life. In fact, I am doing all I can to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and does not try His patience – although I know I fall short of this many times each day. My goal is not to avoid God’s wrath… but rather to enjoy His pleasure – and His companionship. And in much the same way, there may be people in your life whom you tiptoe around…spending your time avoiding their anger, frustration and general unpleasantness instead of relishing a joyful, loving connection.
None of this is God’s desire for us. Ask Him today to show you where and how to take positive steps toward operating in fellowship with Him… and with others. Let God show you how to create an atmosphere in which sweet communion is the order of the day… where you ride the middle of the wake and avoid the pitfalls and perils of the edges. Develop a bond with God where His power is both present and patient – in your relationship with Him and with others.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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