Bible League: Living His Word The LORD is good.He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble. He takes care of those who trust him. The book of Nahum was written by the prophet Nahum during the times when Nineveh and the Assyrian empire were a threat to the people of God in Judah--who had experienced the "endless cruelty" of the Assyrians (Nahum 3:19). Nahum prophesied the end of Nineveh's supremacy and a time of comfort for the people of Judah. Nahum's message is a message for all God's people who are under threat from oppressive forces of evil of any and every kind. Although God is able to show Himself as being strong and terrible against all those who are the enemies of His people (like the Assyrians), He is still good. He is merciful, kind, and good to those who are His own (like the Judeans). Indeed, it is because God is good that He rises up in anger in order to visit just retribution against all those who would oppress His people. Judges who mete out punishment to wrong-doers are not evil. Because God is good, He knows how to treat His people and He knows how to treat those who oppress them. For His people, He is a "safe place to go in times of trouble." Just as the Judeans could turn to God for help and protection from the Assyrians, so we can turn to God for help and protection from those who would oppress us. Although we may not be able to protect ourselves, God is our rock and our fortress (Psalm 31:3), a fortified tower that we may run to and be safe (Proverbs 18:10). For His enemies, on the other hand, "he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness" (Nahum 1:8). The God who protects us is also the God who takes care of us. If we place our trust in Him, if we are willing to wait on Him, then we can expect God to come through for us in desperate times. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). If we place our trust in Him, then "Whatever they plot against the Lord he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time." (Nahum 1:9). Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Kings 9, 10, 11 2 Kings 9 -- Jehu Reigns in Israel; Murders of Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 10 -- Ahab's Family Killed; Baal Worshipers killed; Jehoahaz succeeds Jehu NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 11 -- Athaliah Queen of Judah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 5:1-24 John 5 -- The Pool of Bethesda; Testimony about Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion This is what the LORD says:“Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Insight People tend to admire four qualities in others: human wisdom, power (strength), kindness, and riches. But God puts a higher priority on knowing him personally and living a life that reflects his justice and righteousness. Challenge What do you want people to admire most about you? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 8:17 Joint heirs with Christ.The boundless realms of his Father's universe are Christ's by prescriptive right. As "heir of all things," he is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and he has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heirship which the Lord hath ratified with his chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our everlasting possession. All that he has he shares with his people. The crown royal he has placed upon the head of his Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned himself that we might have a coronation of glory; he would not sit upon his own throne until he had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by his blood. Crown the head and the whole body shares the honor. Behold here the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ's throne, crown, sceptre, palace, treasure, robes, heritage, are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which admit of no participation of their advantages, Christ deems his happiness completed by his people sharing it. "The glory which thou gavest me have I given them." "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." The smiles of his Father are all the sweeter to him, because his people share them. The honors of his kingdom are more pleasing, because his people appear with him in glory. More valuable to him are his conquests, since they have taught his people to overcome. He delights in his throne, because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in his royal robes, since over them his skirts are spread. He delights the more in his joy, because he calls them to enter into it. Daily Light on the Daily Path Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;Matthew 10:25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Psalm 69:20 Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, And for comforters, but I found none. 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Hebrews 13:14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Hebrews 12:1,2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, • fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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