God Knows All Who Trust Him

It is not uncommon after a major disaster like a fire, tornado or cyclone that causes widespread, catastrophic damage to find homes spared in the midst of the ruin.  It seems almost arbitrary that all the houses on the block would be swept clean from the foundations while one remains standing and inhabitable.  I do not know if this constitutes a miracle, but I am sure to the people whose home was seemingly spared at random it feels like one.  What it does show without a doubt is God Who created the forces of nature can distinguish between those who fear Him and spare them in a day of judgment.

In the book of Nahum God described the judgment and destruction He would bring upon the city of Nineveh for their sin.  I find the first chapter remarkable, that within the fiery judgments there are lovely descriptions of God's goodness.  In the midst of the predicted overthrow Nahum 1:7-8 says, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. ⁸ But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies."  We cannot say how or why a tornado destroys one house and leaves another intact, but we can know God is a stronghold in the day of people for those who trust Him.  His judgment will be as an overflowing flood no one can escape by hiding in a refuge of lies, and God will see to it all His enemies will be swept away.

God is a stronghold, a refuge for all who fear Him.  A good shepherd knows his sheep, and God knows every individual in His flock.  He protected Noah and his family from the great flood and delivered Lot and his family safely out of Sodom.  He is the God who parted the Red Sea so His people could safely escape the pursuing army, and He caused the walls of water to fall upon the Egyptians.  One likened to the Son of God stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and God sent His angel to shut the lion's mouths so they could do Daniel no harm.  Even when the stones found their mark upon the martyr Stephen, upon falling asleep he was ushered safely into the arms of the LORD Jesus to dwell in glory with Him for eternity.

How encouraging it is that God knows those who trust Him.  He is a stronghold in the day of trouble, and this means we do not need to be afraid whatever should God allow.  By faith in God we can experience personally what is written Psalm 91:1-2:  "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."  God knows all who trust in Him, and blessed is the one who makes our good God his confidence.  By faith in Jesus may we make our glorious God known.