Nahum 3- Redeeming Love

 ”Then all who see you will recoil from you, saying, “Nineveh is devastated; who will show sympathy to her?” Where can I find anyone to comfort you? There is no remedy for your injury; your wound is severe. All who hear the news about you will clap their hands because of you, for who has not experienced your constant cruelty?“

‭‭Nahum‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬, ‭19‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Gods punishment of the enemy of Israel is complete and total…yet even in the midst of God delivering this punishment, He is thinking about restoration.  He is looking for someone who can comfort them.

God is the same today, even when we find ourselves in devastating circumstances, God always has a path to restoration…the only time that is gone is because of death.  His intention behind every punishment is to help us see our own sin clearly and our need of Him to help us!

That is the gospel after all: we try real hard to do what is right, and fail…yet He is there to remove the failure and energize us to follow Him.  It just takes real surrender…which is super hard by the way!

God, help me to remain humble and see my sin clearly.  Help me to wake up each day remembering how much I need you to strengthen me.  Help me to draw near to you every morning, every day and every night…without You I will end up needing to be devastated like you did to Nineveh.

Nahum 2- Gods Protection

 ”For the Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob, yes, the majesty of Israel, though ravagers have ravaged them and ruined their vine branches.“

‭‭Nahum‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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After reading this chapter, you definitely don’t want to be on the wrong side of God!  He is defending His people from their enemies and is going for their jugular…no mercy, they will be destroyed.

The devastation however is Gods response to this evil nation abusing and damaging His chosen people.  Gods protection of and care for those He has selected is amazing!  He loves them and promises to lift them back up to their rightful place.  (Reminder: they were overtaken by their enemy because they had rejected God, now He is coming to their rescue before they are completely destroyed.)

How gracious is God who gives us another chance, over and over again!  I don’t deserve another chance because I definitely screwed up the last 100 chances I’ve been given!  Yet God loves me because of who He is, not because of my “amazing” performance…actually He loves me in spite of my performance…what an incredible God we serve!!!

Lord, when I am faced with a decision to choose to please myself or please You, help me to remember all that You have done for me! Drill it into my head so that I cannot forget…I want to honor you with every little decision, from the time I give to you in prayer and reading, to how I respond when things don’t go my way, or when I don’t feel like going to church or want to sleep a bit more. Help me to choose You, because You deserve better than I can give!

Nahum 1- God Fights for Us

 ”The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him. But he will completely destroy your enemy with an overwhelming flood, and he will chase his enemies into darkness. 

Look to the mountains — the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace. Celebrate your festivals, Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked one will never again march through you; he will be entirely wiped out.“

‭‭Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Nahum has a slightly easier message to Gods people:  God will destroy your enemy and you will never have to worry about them again.  Turn to God when things are tough and He will permanently crush our enemy!

Thankfully, we don’t have physical enemies anymore, our neighbors are pretty safe.  Ephesians reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces and even our own sinful desires.  Thankfully God is the same God who promised to completely destroy our enemy…that is what I long for!  Complete destruction of the temptation I face!

Not every temptation or battle has been eliminated, but many have!  It is so much easier to walk with Jesus today than it was even a year ago.  He is faithful to remove my sin, and help me hate the things that used to be such a draw.  He is a faithful God, worthy of my praise and worship!

Lord, help me to cast my weakness in front of You so that you can fight for me.  Remind me of Your ability to completely heal my desires and destroy my sin.  Let me trust in Your ability, not my own!