Some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met have also carried the deepest scars.
They are people whose lives have been marked by grief, trauma, or hardship—yet somehow, they radiate a gentleness, strength, and hope that can’t be faked. They remind me of people like William Cowper, the hymn writer who battled deep depression but penned timeless words of faith. Or Vincent van Gogh, who lived with mental anguish yet painted with unmatched vision. Or Charles Spurgeon, who preached through the haze of despair. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Winston Churchill—leaders who carried the heavy burden of their nation’s suffering. Then there’s Joni Eareckson Tada, who became paralyzed in a diving accident but found profound purpose in her pain. And John Perkins, who endured beatings and threats as a civil rights leader and still proclaimed reconciliation.
What do these people have in common?
They were shaped, not in spite of their suffering, but through it.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths… Beautiful people do not just happen.”
— Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
This idea is more than inspiring—it’s deeply biblical.
It’s especially visible in the Old Testament book of Nahum, one of the lesser-known prophets. Though short—just three chapters—Nahum gives us a profound and uncomfortable vision of God’s character. In Nahum 1:1–8, we see two divine attributes held together in tension: justice and mercy. He is the righteous Judge who will not let evil go unpunished, and at the same time, He is a refuge for the weary and the faithful.
When You Ask, "How Long, Lord?"
If you’ve ever looked around at the world and asked, “How long, Lord? How long will evil go unchecked? How long will oppression continue?”—then Nahum has something to say to you.
Nahum begins his prophecy with a vision. Not a gut feeling or a political hot take—but a divinely inspired word from God concerning Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. This wasn’t the first time Nineveh appeared in Scripture. A hundred years earlier, Jonah preached there, and the people repented. But by Nahum’s time, their repentance had faded, and their cruelty returned. Assyria was once again known for its brutality and injustice.
Nahum’s message, likely delivered around 650 B.C., came at a time when Judah was weak, Assyria was strong, and hope felt distant. Yet God spoke. He saw what was happening. And He promised that justice was coming.
That’s the first reminder we need: God sees everything—ancient and modern. No act of injustice goes unnoticed. Every nation and every person is accountable to Him.
The God Who Is Jealous, Just, and Powerful
Nahum doesn’t begin with what God does, but with who God is. He writes:
“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God… The LORD is slow to anger but great in power.” (Nahum 1:2–3)
That word “jealous” may rub us the wrong way, but it’s not describing petty envy. It’s the holy jealousy of a faithful spouse—an unyielding commitment to exclusive relationship. God wants His people to be loyal to Him, and He fiercely defends them when they’re threatened. His vengeance is not impulsive rage but righteous justice against real evil.
And yet, God is also patient. He gave Nineveh a century to turn back. His slowness to anger is mercy—but mercy has limits. When it’s time to act, He will.
Nahum uses poetic, awe-inspiring imagery to make his point: rivers dry up, mountains quake, the very earth trembles in God’s presence. The message is clear: no empire is too powerful, no injustice too entrenched, no enemy too great for God.
“Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His fierce anger?” (Nahum 1:6)
The answer? No one.
The God Who Is Good, Even in Trouble
“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)
This is the kind of verse that shows up on coffee mugs—and it should! But don’t forget: this word of comfort comes right in the middle of a storm of judgment.
God’s goodness doesn’t mean He always spares us from trouble. It means we can trust Him in the trouble. Like a hidden cave in a thunderstorm, He is a refuge when life gets overwhelming. His care is not based on our performance but on His covenant love. He remains faithful, even when the world falls apart.
And yet, verse 8 brings us back to the other side of the coin:
“With an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh.” (Nahum 1:8)
Just as Assyria once overwhelmed other nations, now they will be overwhelmed. God's judgment is always just—He gives time for repentance, but when mercy is rejected, He acts with righteous precision.
So What Do We Do With This?
Nahum 1:1–8 isn’t just about Nineveh. It’s about us. Here are three takeaways for today:
1. Trust in God’s Justice
We live in a world full of injustice—from playground bullying to international war, from daily corruption to systemic evil. It can be tempting to lose heart or take matters into our own hands. But Nahum reminds us: God sees, and God will act. His justice may not follow our timeline, but it will never fail.
2. Find Your Refuge in God
When life falls apart—when the diagnosis comes, when the marriage breaks, when the finances collapse—run to the refuge. God may not shield you from the storm, but He will walk through it with you. He is good. He cares for those who trust in Him.
3. Examine Your Heart
It’s easy to cheer for Nineveh’s downfall and forget that we, too, can be unfaithful. Nahum’s message comforts the oppressed but also warns the comfortable. Are we living in allegiance to King Jesus? Or are we pursuing our own way?
God of Justice, God of Mercy
Nahum gives us a clear and powerful vision of who God is:
- A righteous Judge who will not let sin go unpunished.
- A loving Refuge who cares for His people.
- A sovereign King who rules over all creation.
Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we know that Jesus embodies both justice and mercy. He took our judgment upon Himself, and now offers Himself as our eternal refuge. One day He will return to make all things right. Until then, we live in the tension—with trust, hope, and worship.
Let’s worship Him for who He is—the God who brings justice to the wicked and comfort to the faithful.
Let’s run to the refuge.
---If this reflection encouraged you, share it or leave a comment below. And remember: in a world full of brokenness, Jesus is still King.
