Daily Worship (Oct 19)

Exodus 34:6–7 (NIV)
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

Devotional Thought
God’s anger often makes people uncomfortable. We picture anger as something destructive or sinful, but the Bible teaches us that God’s anger flows from His goodness. In this passage, when God reveals His own name and character to Moses, He begins with compassion, grace, love, and faithfulness. But He also says He “does not leave the guilty unpunished.” His mercy and His justice live side by side in perfect harmony.

This is what Nahum meant when he said, “The Lord is good and angry.” God’s wrath is not a flaw in His character; it’s part of His love. If God didn’t care about evil, He wouldn’t be good. When He stands against injustice and sin, He’s defending His creation and His children.

At the cross, we see this truth most clearly. God’s anger against sin and His mercy toward sinners meet in Jesus. Christ took the punishment we deserved so that we could receive the forgiveness we could never earn. Because of that, we can trust that God’s anger will never fall on those who belong to Him—it has already been poured out on His Son.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does this passage fit into the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and Israel’s sin with the golden calf?
• Observation: What words describe God’s character, and which ones show His justice?
• Meaning: What does it mean that God is both “slow to anger” and “does not leave the guilty unpunished”?
• Main Idea: How does God’s perfect balance of mercy and justice reveal His goodness?
• Application: When you see evil or injustice, how can you respond with both compassion and truth like God does?

Prayer
Lord, thank You for being slow to anger and rich in love. Your justice is good, and Your mercy is greater than we deserve. Help me trust that Your anger is never cruel, but always right. Teach me to hate what is evil and to love what is good, just as You do. Amen.

Psalm 97:1–6 (NIV)
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.

Devotional Thought
Nahum described God as walking in the whirlwind and storm, with clouds as the dust of His feet. This psalm paints the same picture. God’s presence shakes the earth, melts mountains, and fills the sky with lightning. His power is overwhelming—but it’s not random or reckless. Verse 2 reminds us that “righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.” In other words, God’s power always serves His goodness.

When we face life’s storms—tragedy, injustice, or fear—it’s easy to think that God has lost control. But Scripture shows that He rules the storm. Even His judgment is part of His plan to make things right. The people of Nineveh thought they were unstoppable, but God used His power to bring down their cruelty and defend His people.

In Jesus, we see this same power used to save, not destroy. When He calmed the sea in Mark 4, His disciples were terrified and asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!” The answer is: He’s the Lord who reigns. The same God who commands storms also died to bring us peace.

COMMA Questions

• Context: What does this psalm teach about God’s kingship and His rule over creation?
• Observation: Which images or words show God’s power, and which describe His character?
• Meaning: How do righteousness and justice form the “foundation” of God’s rule?
• Main Idea: What does this passage reveal about the relationship between God’s power and His goodness?
• Application: How can remembering God’s control in the storm bring peace to your heart during times of trouble?

Prayer
Almighty God, You rule over every storm. When life feels out of control, remind me that You are not shaken. Let Your power bring me comfort, not fear, because I know You are good and just. Help me rest in Your strength today. Amen.

Romans 5:8–9 (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Devotional Thought
Nahum ends his opening vision by declaring, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.” For believers, that refuge is found in Jesus Christ. Paul explains in Romans 5 that we have been “justified by his blood” and “saved from God’s wrath through him.” The cross is not only where God’s justice was satisfied—it’s where His mercy overflowed.

We often try to separate God’s love from His anger, but Paul shows they belong together. God’s anger burns against sin because sin destroys what He loves. His wrath is the shadow side of His love. When Jesus died for us, He took the full weight of that wrath so that we could stand forever in God’s goodness.
If you’ve ever felt condemned, remember this: God’s wrath is real, but for those who trust in Christ, it has already been exhausted. The flood of judgment that Nahum warned about has passed over you. You are safe, not because you deserve it, but because the Lord Himself became your refuge.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does this passage fit within Paul’s teaching about faith, justification, and peace with God?
• Observation: What contrast does Paul make between “sinners” and “justified” people?
• Meaning: What does it mean to be “saved from God’s wrath” through Christ’s blood?
• Main Idea: How does the cross reveal both the anger and the love of God?
• Application: When you face guilt, fear, or injustice, how can trusting in Jesus as your refuge give you peace?

Prayer
Gracious Father, thank You for showing Your love through the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You that Your anger against sin fell on Him instead of me. Teach me to rest in Your goodness and to run to You as my refuge in every trouble. Amen.