A global pandemic, natural disasters, tensions between people and groups, a divisive national election, personal loss and uncertainty; to say that 2020 has been a rough year so far would be an understatement. In times like these, it can be difficult to remember one fundamental truth in the life of a Christian, but this truth is what carried Christians of every generation through times similar to these and even worse: Jesus is Lord.
The book of Nahum gives us a up close encounter with this very truth. This book is a prophecy against the city of Nineveh, the heart of the country of Assyria. The Assyrian Empire was brutal, cruel, and had conquered much of the world from Egypt and modern-day Turkey in the west and modern-day Iran on the east. Although they had repented under Jonah, the Assyrians had apparently returned to their old ways. They had lived by the sword and now they would fall by the sword, for the worship of violence and power leads to only one end. Although Assryria had regarded itself like a lion, the true Lion was ready to roar and nothing can withstand His judgment on wickedness.
Although, in 722 B.C. God had used Assyria to bring judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel after they had split from Judah, He will not let this terrible source of pride or injustice continue on forever without proper accounting. Assyria would eventually be destroyed by the Babylonian Empire and to this day, that land has never arose as a united empire to threaten the world. Although given the chance to heed God’s warning when Jonah had preached to them and accept his mercy (which they did temporarily), they hardened their hearts against Him, and so God would be the one to deliver justice. He is sovereign and therefore nothing can stand against Him, but He is also perfectly good, delivering this justice at the right time.
When God’s people first heard this judgment of their enemies, celebration probably ensued. While this is certainly understandable, when one reads Nahum in light of the entire Bible, pride and smugness is quickly disallowed. It was not because of Israel’s righteousness that God sought to save them, but because of who He is, a Lord who is perfectly fair and impartial, who is just and good. Likewise, it is not because of anything we have done that God has saved us, but because of who He is, a Lord who is also perfectly loving and holy. Jesus is that Lord because Jesus is God the Son, one in essence with the Father.
On the cross, God defeated an empire even greater than that of Assyria, the empire of darkness, death, sin, and the devil. To Israel, although Assyria looked unstoppable and victorious, God would eventually show Himself the victor. Likewise, in our world today, although evil looks unstoppable and victorious, God through Christ has already usurped satan and his hordes and will eventually show himself to the world what He already is in the heart of a Christian: the Victor of Victors, the King of Kings. Jesus is Lord, and in this fact there are many relevant truths we must remember as we navigate the challenging times at present and those we will face in the future.
It is God’s role to judge, our role to pray. The judgment and the battle belong to the Lord. Although the forces of evil seek to divide us even in our churches during times like these, we must remember who ultimately sits on the throne, the Lord Jesus. If we forget that He is the only one with the right to judge, then we will be tempted to seek revenge against those who have wronged us and be tempted to call it “righteous justice”. On the other hand, if we trust that He will judge everything in His time and will deliver justice perfectly then it relives us of that burden so that we can continue to do good to all and pray for everyone, even our enemies for this is what sets the Christian apart from anyone else; not to repay evil for evil, but to repay evil with good.
It is the Gospel that unites us with chords deeper than anything that could separate us. The Gospel shows us that everyone is made in God’s image, everyone is broken by sin, and everyone is loved by God and has the chance to be redeemed in Jesus Christ. I have tried to encourage other Christians and churches to not lose our spirit of brotherhood but to remember we are a family of God. Imagine if the next generation growing up in times like these would see us loving and caring for one another and what a testimony to the power of Christ that would be! They could see for themselves that even in times of hatred, the love of God can be shown.
Jesus is Lord. No matter what happens regarding the Coronavirus, the upcoming election, or anything else, God is the one ultimately in control. This truth is what gives the Christian peace in the midst of the current chaos and uncertainty. It also reminds us that we can and must continue to live like Jesus because He will use our lives as a witness to the power and stability of the Kingdom of God to impact others who may be plagued by worry and anxiety. If God is powerful enough to control empires and yet gentle and kind enough to number every hair on our head, then rest assured, He is able and He is willing to care for all of us now and forever. Jesus is Lord, amen
Your Brother,
Craig