Nah. 1-3
Nahum paints a stark contrast with the character of God. The contrast isn’t in God’s character, of course, as God is sovereign, just, and unchanging. It is, rather, in the human perspective of God’s character. To the wicked, “the LORD is avenging and wrathful” because He “takes vengeance on His adversaries and keeps wrath for His enemies” (Nah 1:2). But to those who take refuge in Him, “the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble” (Nah 1:7).
“Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the heat of His anger?” (Nah 1:6). When the Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10a), it means that understanding this awesome and fear inspiring truth about God’s nature is the catalyst for making right decisions in life. It means knowing that the only safe place to be is in God’s favor. When we take refuge in the only one who is to be feared, there is then nothing to fear.
Acts 23:1-15
The night after Paul gave testimony to the council, “the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome’”. (Acts 23:11). This is a large part of the reason I believe Paul’s friends, who were trying to persuade him not to go to Jerusalem, were responding to the messages of the Holy Spirit in fear. I get the distinct impression from this text that this difficulty in Jerusalem was part of God’s plan for Paul. Jesus’ friends likewise tried to persuade Him to flee to safety (or what they perceived as safety), not understanding the true nature of His mission.
God does not think like humans think or act like humans act. Sometimes what we think is better for us is contrary to what God determines is best for all involved. Doing the right thing is seldom the same as doing the easier thing. And it is through the difficulties in life that God works His will in and through us. And so we have a choice. Do we respond to difficult situations with fear, taking our safety and protection into our own hands? Or do we remember that God alone is to be feared and choose to take refuge in the one place that is truly safe, responding in humble obedience to God no matter what the cost?