SCRIPTURE: Nahum 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the news about you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty? [Nahum 3:19]
Can you imagine a group of people rejoicing and celebrating the violent downfall of an oppressive government… of course you can.
Think of the rejoicing in the streets of Europe after the Allies beat the Nazi war machine.
People I knew, including my own family, were a part of those celebrations.
People were clapping their hands, singing and dancing in the streets – for who had not felt their endless cruelty.
This is what Nahum speaks of, when Assyria and it’s capitol Nineveh will be defeated.
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. [Luke 10:17-19]
The disciples return to Jesus amazed, the demons are falling back at the Name of Jesus.
See this in context: at those times many people were enslaved by demonic powers that enslaved people with madness, fits of rage, sickness, delusional thinking.
Towns were filled with what we would call crazy or desperate people.
But in Jesus’ Name, the disciples see them released, healed, restored to health.
Now do you see why they are so excited?
And Jesus shares their joy, for in their reports He sees evidence that the Hitler of sin, death and hell (Satan) is fallen – he is clapping His hands with joy.
For who has not felt his endless cruelty.
Through Jesus, the kingdom of darkness is defeated and the kingdom of light is restored.
For the Jews (and surrounding nations) in Nahum’s day, it was the Assyrians.
Who are the cruel oppressors, the tyrants that keep people enslaved today?
Who are the ones that demons hide behind today?
As Jesus followers, those committed to God’s justice and mercy, we also take a stand against injustice and cruelty; we also look forward to the day when they will fall.
And we can already now clap our hands with joy, for the defended beaches have been breached, D-Day has begun.
Satan is defeated, Christ has won; we are simply ambassadors of this good news.
(Jesus) disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [Colossians 2:15].
Do you believe in the victory of Jesus?
Are you rejoicing in the defeat of Satan, sin, death and hell?
Do you see all the victims of sin, death and hell as those that also need to hear about and receive this good news?
PRAYER:
Lord, I see many slaves still. Help me to believe Your victory, and to share this message with others who desperately need to hear it too!
A woe.
“I am against you,’ says the Lord. Ouch!
Where is my comfort? My refuge? My security?
For Nineveh her defense were the physical elements of the land and her allies. However, they were not a help. She was helpless. She will be defeated. Her wound is fatal. And the surrounding nations rejoice.
How the mighty have fallen.
When Satan is defeated, how the people rejoice. When the right overcomes the wrong, WOW! Remember the freedom of the Israelites. Remember the liberation after the wars?
Remember your/my personal battles and victories
Remember the victory of Christ my Saviour? Christmas Day is every day because of Easter and His resurrection. I serve a risen Saviour and I walk with Him each day. In Him I too am victorious as are all His followers.
Walk with the Risen Saviour also today!
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain