February 22, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power." — Nahum 1:3 · KJV

Yahweh "is slow to anger." When mercy comes into the world she drives winged steeds; the axles of her chariot-wheels are red-hot with speed; but when wrath goes forth, it toils along with slow footsteps, for God takes no pleasure in the sinner's death. God's rod of mercy is ever in His hand, outstretched; His sword of justice is in its scabbard, held down by that pierced hand of love which bled for the sins of men. "The Lord is slow to anger" because He is great in power. He is truly great in power who has power over himself. When God's power restrains itself, then it is power indeed; the power that binds omnipotence is omnipotence surpassed. A man with a strong mind can bear to be insulted long, and resents the wrong only when a sense of right demands his action; the weak mind is irritated by a trifle, but the strong mind bears it like a rock that does not move, though a thousand breakers dash on it and fling their pitiful malice in spray upon its summit. God marks His enemies, and yet He does not bestir Himself, but holds in His anger. Were He less divine than He is, He would long ago have sent forth all His thunders and emptied the arsenals of heaven; He would long ago have blasted the earth with the fierce fires beneath it, and man would have been utterly destroyed; but the greatness of His power brings us mercy. Dear reader, what is your state this evening? Can you by humble faith look to Jesus and say, "My substitute, You are my rock, my trust"? Then, beloved, do not be afraid of God's power; for since by faith you have fled to Christ for refuge, the power of God need no more terrify you than the warrior's shield and sword need terrify those whom he loves. Rather rejoice that He who is "great in power" is your Father and Friend.