DAY 34
DATE: 2/3/2013
Good Morning! My name is Jim Fleming and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Nahum 1-3.
KEY VERSE:
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
REFLECTIONS:
It’s quite possible that your family devotion time or Sunday morning message does not start with, “Let’s turn to the book of Nahum.” But if you take time and do a history lesson on the book of Nahum, it is quite amazing what is going on.
Though it was only two days ago that we read about Jonah and his dealings with Nineveh, Nahum is approximately 100 years after this event in Jonah. Jonah preached repentance, and the city repented. Now, in Nahum, there will only be destruction. The books of Jonah and Nahum explain the history of God: Mercy and Judgment.
This book is more proof that our God is a loving, kind, patient, yet just God. The subject of this Nahum is the downfall of Nineveh. It was written very simply in three chapters, chapter 1 being a psalm of triumph over the approaching fall of Nineveh, chapter two graphically describes the siege and destruction of the city itself, and chapter three gives the reason for her downfall.
Though Nineveh was a wicked city, it’s interesting that Nahum starts with the words “an oracle.” This word is translated from the Hebrew word meaning burden. Though the destruction would bring comfort to Judah, Nahum stills sees this as a burden, perhaps because many people are about to lose their lives. God had withheld his judgment a long time (1:3), approximately one hundred years. Nineveh was a very proud city, surrounded by great walls. But God says in chapter 1, verse 9, What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end. You can read about their wickedness more in II Kings 18 and 19.
APPLICATION:
This is a quote from a book I read. “This prophecy sets forth a timeless spiritual principal which is applicable to each succeeding generation from the time it was first delivered until present. Nahum declares the universal sovereignty of God and that his administration extends over all the kingdoms of the earth.”
In other words, the principles are the same: God is patient, yet God is just. There are many times I am guilty of the same sin over and over again. And reading prophecies like these makes me want to work harder at not committing the sins anymore, because I often wonder how patient God will be with me. Please work hard today at extending mercy to those around you.
Thank you for being a part of the Route 66 Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Jim
WHEN YOU GOT SAVED: Age 9
FAVORITE BOOK OF THE BIBLE: James
FAMILY: Wife Juliet, two daughters Kelsey and Jessica