Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Nahum 1:1-3:19, Revelation 8:1-13, Psalm 136:1-26, Proverbs 30:7-9

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We Get To Choose

“The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage… The LORD is slow to get angry but His power is great, and He never lets the guilty go unpunished… The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust Him.” – Nahum 1:2–3, 7 (NLT)

In Nahum 1, we see a side of God that is, honestly, terrifying. He is described as jealous, filled with vengeance and rage. His power is scary—“Who can survive His burning fury?” And yet, just a few verses later, we are told “The LORD is good… a strong refuge… close to those who trust Him.”

How can both be true?

In Revelation 8:13, a warning echoes across the earth:
“Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world…”
And immediately after, Psalm 136 tells us 26 times:
“His faithful love endures forever.”

So which is it—fear or comfort?
Vengeance or refuge?

We are all guilty.
We all live in this world.
So where do we stand?

As I pondered the implications of this dichotomy, the Holy Spirit whispered:

“I am the Great ‘I Am.’ I can be your greatest friend or your greatest enemy. You get to choose. My power is great and My ways never change. You change. So it’s up to you to decide what you want. Everyone has the choice. I give all men free will to choose which side they want to be on. I just hope they pick Me. I created them with love and care and desire to be with them. Amen.”

God has not changed. His power has not softened. His justice has not weakened. What changes is where we stand.

We may live in the world, but we do not have to belong to it. We are warned, “‘Stop! Stop!’ someone shouts—but no one even looks back.” (Nahum 2:8)

Will we look back?

The same God who brings terror to His enemies is a refuge to His friends.
The same power that destroys the guilty protects those who trust Him.

The choice is ours.

Will He be our Friend—
or our Foe? 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take five minutes with God today and ask:

• “Lord, what do You want me personally to know about this today?”
  • Journal what He whispers by His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers – then do it!

Every day is a choice. Choose Him today and let Him teach you, lead you, and love you.

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Prayer

Great I Am, You are holy, powerful, and unchanging. I choose You. I choose trust over fear, surrender over resistance, and friendship with You over everything else. Teach me to belong fully to You. Change my heart and mind from its worldy ways to Your heavenly ways. Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.