SCRIPTURE: Nahum 3:1-19
OBSERVATION:
Once again Nahum uses vivid language to present the fall of Ninevah. We need to recall that such scenes were commonplace; at one time Assyria was guilty of doing these things to other nations. Now, predicts Nahum, they’re about to get what they gave. The violence reminds us that this world is a mess, that many people suffer, and many people cause sufering. We can try to blame God, or make Him responsible for not fixing the problem… but this is the world that we have made! From our own personal, petty squabbles to international conflicts, from environmental degradation to genocide and sexual abuse, we are responsible collectively (i.e. humans) for the world as it is. But in the end, God will straighten things out. The wicked may prosper for a time, but they will not have a happy ending. Only those who humble themselves before God, repent of their sin, and dedicate themselves to living God-like lives in this godless world, will ultimately triumph. The meek will inherit the earth!
APPLICATION:
These words are a reminder to me to humble myself before the Lord, entrust my present and future to Him, and strive with all His energy in me to be loving, kind, fair, moral in an otherwise dark and immoral world. Its not up to me to change the world, just to allow the Lord to work His change in me, and He will change the world through me, through us. Like Nahum our task is to declare the truth, even if it seems unbelievable, and to live it. Its not enough for me to ask God to punish the really bad people out there, I first of all need to led the Lord change me, to expose and remove the dark spots in my heart and life. God will take care of the unrepentant, I need to repent and change.
PRAYER:
Lord, sometimes I am more concerned about what You are going to do about others. But these words are a reminder to me to make sure I have humbled my heart, and that I am following You. I will leave the judgment to You, Lord… search my heart! Amen.
The Lord my God tells me I am Who I am. I need to trust in Him always. When I put my trust in my ways, the Lord will be against me, and eventually my sins will expose me as did the sins of Nineveh. My security must be in the Lord my God and not my possessions, especially when those possessions are obtained by crooked means. I am not my own, but need to live for my Saviour. When kings put their trust into horses and their army and their women, it was their downfall. When men put their trust in their own schemeful ways it too will be their downfall. I must be focussed each dy on my journey of joy in my living for Jesus. Thank You Lord for Your Spirit to guide me along the Way.
You are my stronghold, always.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
In all your ways acknowledge Hin
And He shall direct
And He shall direct your path
He will not allow your foot to be moved
He that keeps you will not slumber
The Lord is near unto all them that call upon Him
To all that call upon Him in Truth