Consuming Fire

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026

Check out this short video overview of Nahum from the Bible Project, which can help fill in some gaps as we continue moving quickly through the minor prophets, as part of our journey through the "grand narrative" of Scripture.

I know the Old Testament can seem tedious, but it serves an important purpose: setting the stage of humanity’s rebellious nature in the light of God’s perfect character. Nahum 1 starts out with some heavy metal intensity, as the Lord is called a jealous and avenging God. Yikes! But let’s go deeper. God’s “jealousy” is actually a fierce, protective love for God's people and God's name. If God didn’t hate the things that destroy us, He wouldn’t truly love us. And idolatry (in some fashion) is almost always at the root of God’s anger.

The core of Christian doctrine recognizes that God is both just and the One who justifies. Nahum reminds us that while the frightening whirlwind often seems like God’s normal mode, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.” This is part of the tension of the Christian life: we serve a God who is a consuming fire, yet we are the ones who find refuge in the heat of His presence.

This theme of divine sovereignty bridges into Psalm 110, the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. It speaks of “the Lord saying to my Lord… Sit at my right hand.” This is the revelation of Jesus as the Royal Priest; the one who subdues the chaos and rules with a scepter of power measured in the currency of grace. While Nahum shows us God’s power over the nations, Psalm 110 shows us the Person through whom that power is channeled for our sake. In the grand narrative, the “stronghold” of Nahum becomes the “Priest forever” in Psalm 110. Jesus is the ultimate answer to the problem of evil. He doesn’t just destroy the enemy of death; He makes us part of His victory.

What does it mean for your spiritual formation to recognize Jesus as a Priest who intercedes for you while simultaneously being the King who rules?
Are you more prone to see God’s justice (anger) or His goodness? How can you hold both in a healthy balance?

Prayer: Mighty Lord, You are the stronghold in my day of trouble and the King who sits at the right hand of all power. Give me the courage to trust Your justice and the peace to rest in Your goodness. Amen.