[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
ℕ𝔸ℍ𝕌𝕄
𝟙:𝟟
"The LORD is good, A
stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in
Him."
I have taught through the book of
Nahum a few years ago in Derabassi, Punjab. I am pretty confident to answer any
potential question from this book! So, fire on. However, I don't like to type an
answer for questions that will not make us godlier!
I would contend that this verse,
1:7 is one of the key themes of Nahum, yes even of the message of the
prophetical writings, yes even of the whole Bible.
Yahweh is good, no matter what we
think of Him in any situation. Trouble will be always present in this world, in
our life. But Yahweh is a stronghold, a shelter, a refuge (not a weak-hold btw 😎).
Yahweh knows who are His, those who
worship Him, those who seek Him. The goodness of Yahweh is for those who are
His. The wrath of Yahweh is upon those who rebel against Him. Trouble will
always be here with us that's why we rely on God all the more!
ℕ𝔸ℍ𝕌𝕄
𝟚:𝟚
"For the LORD will restore the
splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though devastators have
devastated them And destroyed their vine branches."
God allows misfortune in a
believer's life, but He brings restoration as well! If we've lost anything for
the cause of Christ, or for the cause of righteous living, let's remember, God
is for us to reward more than we have ever imagined!
For example, Eric Liddell didn't
run the Olympic 100 m race because it was scheduled on Sunday. He has been
practicing for that race every day for 4 years. He refused to participate
because it was Sunday. Now, imagine, representing himself for his country. What
would his countrymen say of him, refusing to run? Well, he ran another race, a 400
m race on the next day, and won the race for which he didn't prepare.
Faithful people are amazing, but
God's more amazing!
ℕ𝔸ℍ𝕌𝕄
𝟛:𝟙𝟡
"There is no relief for your
breakdown, Your wound is incurable. All who hear about you Will clap their
hands over you, For on whom has not your evil passed continually?"
It's natural to rejoice when wicked
people are dethroned, dismissed, expelled, or suspended!
The Assyrians (Ninevites) were so
cruel (bloody people v1) and they had assaulted every known nation around them.
When the nations hear that the Babylonians are crushing them (Assyrians), there
could be no news greater than that, they will clap their hands.
BTW, after that, God will crush the
Babylonians also. God has the habit of raising wicked people to punish the
wicked people.
There's even a proverb, right?
"It takes a thief to catch a thief"😎