Today’s Scripture Threshings for Thursday, February 21, 2019
Today’s Text: Nahum 1:1-7
Key Verse: ”The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” (vs. 3, KJV)
My first pastorate was in Kajola Okepele, a core interior heartland of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Nigeria. I had a highly zealous senior who had but little education in my leadership team. He was so blessed that he picks on English language so easily. He once fondly talked about God as omnipatient. I had no idea, on earth, what that meant but all I know is that all his explanation indicated he was mistaking God’s omnipotence for ominipatience. But, of course, he was right. God’s omnipotence is often demonstrated in His all-patient character.
We have heard Isaiah’s oracle concerning Egypt in Isaiah 19 verse 1: “Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.” We have heard that of Jeremiah also; how the prophet allied us to “Behold, he (the LORD) advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! (Jer. 4:13) But we have also heard how “The LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: "The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means excuse the guilty; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." (Exodus 34:6,7)
Before us today is a soul lifting beckon to Jehovah’s patient power of love. For though He’s great in power, He is yet slow to anger.
Our worldly powerful men vest their power by venting their anger. But he is truly great in power who has power over himself. When power restrains the powerful, then it is power indeed. Our politicians who vent unrestrained powers are weak and feeble. The greater powers are perceived in a person’s strength of character. For instance powerful man may bear to be personally insulted long, and only resents when others are cheated. The weak mind is irritated at a little: the strong mind bears it like a rock which moveth not, though a thousand breakers dash upon it, and cast their pitiful malice in spray upon its summit.
Spurgeons’s submission is that God’s mercy comes into the world driving winged steeds with axles of her chariot-wheels red hot with speed; but His wrath goes forth toiling with tardy footsteps. The reason is simple: God takes no pleasure in sinners’ death. This scripture shows us that God knows and marks His enemies — yet He doesn’t bestir himself, but holds His anger in patient expectations that they’d embrace His love. What is your position before this all-patient God today? Remember that patience doesn’t forestall or deny justice, it delays it. Will you by humble faith look to Jesus for mercy while God’s patience lasts? Can you do it today, hastening to God’s mercy as it hastens to you?!
Quote for the Day: “God’s rod of mercy is ever in his hands outstretched; his sword of justice is in its scabbard, held down by that pierced hand of love which bled for the sins of men.” (C. H. Spurgeons)
Prayer: Dear LORD God of heaven and earth, O how I thank you for you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. I embrace you love now and long for it for the rest of my life. Help me to abide in your gracious arms, in Jesus Christ name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayer,
Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
BBMme: E3F988D2
[Today’s Scripture Threshings is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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