Tag: Nahum 1-3
Shallow repentance!
Scripture reading for September 23rd: Nahum 1-3
A century earlier, Jonah had come to Nineveh to warn of coming judgment. A great wave of conviction fell on leaders, men and even the animals. All repented and called on the Lord and He had mercy and saved them from destruction. (Jonah 3:6-10) About a hundred years later, God sent Nahum back to Nineveh with a decree of divine displeasure and coming destruction. (Nahum 2:13) The revival of a century earlier had caused them to humble themselves and seek the Lord, but they soon returned to their wicked ways.
God always warns the wicked of the coming disaster. Nahum’s word was unmistakable. “. . all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.” “I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty. All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins–who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort her? ” (Nahum 3:4-5, 7)
In the midst of the warning to Nineveh, Nahum spoke a word of hope and encouragement to Judah. The wicked would no longer invade them and they would be restored to their land. (Nahum 1:15) This good news speaks to us today as well. We know that God has defeated evil through the cross of Jesus Christ. The triumph of Jesus Christ is sure and He will defeat all wickedness and evil and set up His reign of peace on the earth.
When we read God’s warnings concerning the defeat of wickedness and the final judgment, it is easy to think that He is speaking of something far away or that they are meant for someone else. It is easy to give lip service to God, but still have a heart far from Him. This is a day of mercy and a day of “good news”! Respond with true repentance that brings everlasting peace and blessing!
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
A shallow revival!
Scripture reading for September 21st: Nahum 1-3
A century earlier, Jonah had come to Nineveh and called the people to repentance. A great wave of conviction fell on leaders, men and even the animals. All repented and called on the Lord and He had mercy and saved them from destruction. (Jonah 3:6-10) These people got serious and averted the destruction that God had warned them of!
After a generation, God again sent Nineveh a decree of divine displeasure and coming destruction. (Nahum 2:13) Their time to make changes had come to an end. The revival of a century earlier had temporarily caused them to humble themselves, but they soon returned to their wicked ways. The revival did not affect their hearts.
In the midst of this prophecy, Nahum spoke a word of “good news” and peace to Judah. The wicked would no longer invade them and they would be restored to their land. In fact, the wicked would be completely destroyed! (Nahum 1:15) We know that God has defeated evil through the cross of Jesus Christ. He will ultimately defeat all wickedness and set up His reign of peace on the earth.
God always warns the wicked of the coming disaster. Nahum’s words were unmistakable. “. . all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.” “I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty. All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins–who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort her? ” (Nahum 3:4-5, 7)
As we think of God’s warnings to Nineveh, it is easy to think that they are meant for someone else. It is easy to give lip service to God, but still have a heart far from Him. This is a day of mercy and a day of “good news”! Don’t let a shallow revival bring you to a place of judgment! Go for the deep revival of true repentance that brings everlasting peace and blessing!
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
Good News for God’s People!
Scripture reading for September 23rd: Nahum 1-3
Nahum was a prophet sent to declare God’s judgment on Nineveh. Jonah had come about a hundred years earlier to give a message of judgment to this wicked city and to his surprise and dismay, all the city repented! God was delighted to give this city more time to get their lives in order and spare the cattle. (Jonah 4:11) But as often happens, emotional repentance may work for a short time but sin’s grip takes hold and drags individuals and nations back into rebellion and wickedness. Nineveh again had crossed the line and God had decreed destruction to those who failed to heed His earlier warning.
Nahum, like Micah, saw a vision of God coming in the awesome power of nature. He saw God coming in a whirlwind and storm, with clouds as the dust of His feet. He could almost feel the earth shake and tremble at His presence and see the hills melt. People also trembled with fear as God’s wrath was poured out like fire and rocks split open at His coming! (Nahum 1:3-6) (Micah 1:3-4) Nahum declared that this coming would bring destruction upon Nineveh and all who oppose Him.
“From you, O Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and counsels wickedness.” (Nahum 1:11) There seemed to be one evil ruler who God cited as being behind this wickedness. God promised to prepare his grave for him, because he was so vile! (Nahum 1:13)
“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.” Nahum 1:15 This God who would come walking on the high places would bring good news to God’s people! Their enemy had been completely destroyed! No more would he torment them! God’s people could celebrate and fulfill their vows in joy!
This is truly good news for God’s people of all times! Through Jesus Christ, Satan has been defeated at the cross! The feet bringing “good news” were that of our Savior! (Isaiah 52:7) They were pierced with nails that we might be free to walk with God! Our enemy, Satan has been totally defeated! His end is sure–the Lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels! (Revelation 20:10) True peace with God is ours forever!
Shallow Revival!
Scripture reading for September 23rd: Nahum 1-3
A century earlier, Jonah had come to Nineveh and called the people to repentance. A great wave of conviction fell on leaders, men and even the animals. All repented and called on the Lord and He had mercy and saved them from destruction. (Jonah 3:6-10) What a revival! These people got serious and averted the destruction that God had promised!
Our reading today is from the prophet Nahum. God sent him back to Nineveh with another message for them. This time it was a decree of divine displeasure and coming destruction. (Nahum 2:13) Their time for change had come to an end and they had failed the test. The revival of a century earlier had temporarily caused them to humble themselves and seek the Lord, but they soon returned to their wicked ways. God gave them time to change, but the revival did not affect their hearts.
In the midst of this prophecy, Nahum speaks a word of hope and encouragement to Judah. He gives them a word of “good news” and peace. The wicked will no longer invade them and they would be restored to their land. In fact, the wicked would be completely destroyed! (Nahum 1:15) This good news speaks to all of us today as well. We know that God has defeated evil through the cross of Jesus Christ. The triumph of Jesus Christ is already sure and He will ultimately defeat all wickedness and evil and set up His reign of peace on the earth.
It is interesting that God always warns the wicked of the coming disaster. He never leaves them to wonder what happened and why. He uses prophets for the heathen nations and sends them with words that are clear and easy to understand. Nahum’s word was unmistakable. “. . all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.” “I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty. All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins–who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort her? ” (Nahum 3:4-5, 7)
As we think of God’s warnings about the defeat of all wickedness and the final judgment, it is easy to think that He is speaking of something far away or that His warning are meant for someone else. It is easy to give lip service to God, but still have a heart far from Him. This is a day of mercy and a day of “good news”! If you need to respond, don’t let your heart have a shallow revival! Go for the deep revival of true repentance and holiness that brings everlasting peace and blessing!
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39