Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard. (Nahum 2:13 ESV)
Avenger
God saying, “I am against you” has to be among the worst things human ears could hear. These words are not spoken to Christians, though.
They were spoken to the God-opposing Empire based in Ninevah. The people and government of Ninevah had historically, regularly, and pragmatically worked against God’s decrees, God’s nation, and God’s people. Even more, for a time after Jonah’s preaching, they claimed to follow God, but had turned against Him again.
And no one can stand against God.
This is the message of God against His enemies. He’s going to burn your best weapons, mock your symbols, and remove your sources of income. Your very voice will be silenced.
Wow. Do not be in that group.
Today, while we might be tempted to apply this type of declaration to nations that appear to wear Ninevah’s robes, these words and God’s wrath are not aimed there.
While closely associated, today it is more philosophies, religions, worldviews, and principles that God will destroy… soon and constantly.
Philosophies lifting up false gods like statism, humanism, and materialism. Religions denying the Christ and His gospel of Christ Alone. Worldviews that mock the One True Living God. And principles that are not based on Scripture and Scripture alone. These things, and folk attached to them (whether individually or as a nation) are doomed.
But Christians are not. God is not against us, in fact, Immanuel! God is WITH us.
When God declares His wrath we might think WE should be afraid. Because we might actually deserve God’s anger for attitudes, thoughts, and actions worked against God. But Christ bears God’s wrath on our behalf. And we are not in the wrong group. We are in God’s kingdom, the church.
We are peculiar, God’s threats are not against us.