Nahum 1:3-6

He rebuketh the sea.

God’s power

Here is a description of God’s power unrivalled in its sublimity and soul-stirring force. Power belongeth unto God. It is absolute, inexhaustible, ever and everywhere operative. “He fainteth not, neither is weary.” His power is here presented in two aspects.

I. As operating irresistibly in nature.

1. It works in the air. “The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.”

2. It works in the sea. “He rebuketh the sea and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers.” There is undoubtedly an allusion here to the Red Sea and the Jordan. “He holdeth the winds in His fists, and the waters in the hollow of His hands.” “His way is in the sea,” and “His path in the great waters.”

3. It works on the earth. “Bashan languisheth, and Carmel and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.” No spots in Palestine were more fruitful than these three. But their life and their growth depended on the results of God’s power. Nor is His power less active in the inorganic parts of the world. “The mountains quake at Him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at His presence, yea, the world and all that dwell therein.” God’s power is seen in all the phenomena of the material world. How graphically and beautifully is this presented in Psalms 104:1. The fact that God’s power is ever acting in the material universe is--

(1) The most philosophic explanation of all its phenomena. The men who ascribe all the operations of nature to what they call laws, fail to satisfy my intellect. For what are those laws! The fact that God’s power is ever acting is

(2) The most hallowing aspect of the world we live in. God is in all. Then walk the earth in reverence.

II. As irresistibly opposed to the wicked. “Who can stand before His indignation!” (Homilist.)

God’s control over nature, and deliverance of His people

In these words them is a striking display of the power, the severity, and the long-suffering and mercy of God.

I. God’s control over the powers of nature. With the terrible effects of His wrath. He ruleth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, and in the waters under the earth.

II. The essential goodness of God’s character, and the all-sufficiency of His protection. Both the scenes of external nature, and the general condition of nations and individuals will, on the slightest reflection, convince you of the prevailing goodness of God. If them is any doubt on the subject, turn to the book of inspiration.

III. The means whereby man may avert God’s anger, and secure His favour (ver. 7). “He knoweth them that are His.” Trust in Him is the grand means to be employed. The faith that is wrought in your hearts by the Holy Spirit of God. This faith will work submission to Him will, and repentance towards Him. This faith will lay hold of the stronghold that can defend in the day of trouble. This faith worketh by love. (Hugh Hughes, B. D.)