God Our Judge And Refuge

God Our Judge And Refuge

Lesson written by Matthew Cortinas

Nahum 1:7-8 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

In Nahum, we see God as both a refuge and a judge. It says, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble”. But it also says, “He will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness”. Over 100 years earlier, Nineveh had repented after Jonah preached God’s forgiveness, and the land was safe. But during Nahum’s day, Nineveh was plotting “evil against the Lord”. In chapter 3 I will let you read on your own, Nahum details Nineveh’s destruction.

When a defendant stands before a judge, he or she is at the mercy of the court. If the defendant is innocent, the court should be a refuge. But if the defendant is guilty, we expect the court to exact punishment.

Jonah 3:10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Nahum 1:11-13 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and devises wicked plans.  This is what the Lord says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away. Although I have afflicted you, Judah, I will afflict you no more.  Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”  1 Peter 2:23-24

1 Peter 2:23-24²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Many people know only one side of God’s dealings with the human race but not the other. They think that He is holy and wants only to punish us, or that He is merciful and wants only to show kindness. In truth, He is a judge AND a refuge. Peter writes that Jesus “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”. As a result, He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness”.

The whole truth about God is good news! He is our judge, but because of Jesus, we can go to Him as our refuge also!!

God’s justice and mercy intersect at the cross.

Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

Let’s ask ourselves a question... How do God`s mercy and justice work together in salvation?

 God’s justice and mercy are seemingly incompatible. After all, justice involves the dishing out of deserved punishment for wrongdoing, and mercy is all about pardon and compassion for an offender. However, these two characteristics of God do in fact form a unity within His character.

The Bible contains many references to God’s mercy. Over 290 verses in the Old Testament and 70 in the New Testament contain direct statements of the mercy of God toward His people.

God was merciful to the Ninevites who repented at the preaching of Jonah, who described God as “a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (Jonah 4:2).

 David said God is “gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:8–9,).

But the Bible also speaks of God’s justice and His wrath over sin. In fact, God’s perfect justice is a defining characteristic:

 “There is no God apart from me, a righteous [just] God and a Savior; there is none but me” (Isaiah 45:21).

 “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

In the New Testament, Paul details why God’s judgment is coming:

 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming” (Colossians 3:5–6).

So the Bible showcases the fact that God is merciful, but it also reveals that He is just and will

one day dispense justice on the sin of the world.

 It is a judge’s responsibility to see that the law is followed and that justice is provided. A judge who ignores the law is betraying his office. He has a sworn duty to administer the law.

*Christianity is unique in that God’s mercy is shown through His justice. There is no setting aside of justice to make room for mercy. The Christian teachings states that sin and injustice were punished at the cross of Christ and that it’s only because the penalty of sin was paid through Christ’s sacrifice, does God extend His mercy to us undeserving sinners who look to Him for salvation.

Romans 3:24-26    ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

As Christ died for sinners, He also demonstrated God’s righteousness; His death on the cross revealed God’s justice. This is exactly what the apostle Paul says:

 “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his patient restraint he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:24–26).

In other words, all the sin from Adam until the time of Christ was under the patience and mercy of God. God in His mercy chose not to punish sin, which would require an eternity in hell for all sinners, although He would have been perfectly justified in doing so!! Adam and Eve were not immediately destroyed when they ate the forbidden fruit. Instead, God planned a Redeemer.

John 3;16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

 Christ paid for every single sin ever committed; thus, God was just in punishing sin, and He can also justify sinners who receive Christ by faith (reread Romans 3:26). God’s justice and His mercy were demonstrated by Christ’s death on the cross. At the cross, God’s justice was poured out in FULL (upon Christ), and God’s mercy was extended in Full (to all who believe). So, God’s perfect mercy was exercised through His perfect justice!! Amen! 

Romans 8:1-2   Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.   And Paul says: in Romans 5:9

Romans 5:9  “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”

In the over all, this very generous gift was extended to ALL sinners. so how Blessed are we in the knowledge that as Believers, having been blood bought, will our Salvation be secured if we truly believe!

Lord, never let us underestimate you by seeing only ONE side of your role in our lives. Helping us enjoy your love and kindness while admitting to ourselves how much you hate sin!! The price paid by Christ was for US!! Help us to understand and appreciate your Love, Mercy and Perfect Justice!