The Lord will restore

The Lord will restore

Scripture:

The LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines.

Nahum 2:2

Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away. “Stop! Stop!” they cry, but no one turns back. Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! The supply is endless, the wealth from all its treasures! Nahum 2:8-9

Observation:

In the midst of the prophecy against Nineveh, we see a sudden focus on Israel again in the first Scripture. This gives us a deep comfort, for it shows that even when the Lord is handling world events, and overseeing changes in world powers, His eyes are always on His people. The Lord is in control of everything. The Psalms say that He brings down one and exalts another. Governments rise and fall at the Lord’s bidding, but His eyes are always on His own. Psalms 149:4 say “For the Lord takes delight in his people, he crowns the humble with salvation”. When we follow Jesus, we belong to Him, we are part of God’s people and His eyes are upon us.

The first verse speaks of restoration. In the Scripture, when Jacob is used, it is symbolic of Israel going back to her old, carnal self. Jacob was a selfish schemer but once he was changed in that faithful wrestling encounter with God, he was renown Israel, meaning Prince. Our God is a God of restoration. Though we may have sinned, though we may have lived apart from him and lost much as a result, our God is able to restore what was lost, to restore even the years that the locusts have eaten.

The second verse shows us how Nineveh, though so great and mighty and seemingly invincible can in a moment lose everything. All her gold, all her silver, though having seemingly endless supply, is completely plundered. This reminds us not to be proud and not to put our trust in worldly wealth which can disappear overnight. Instead, our trust should always be in the Lord alone. He is our refuge and our portion in the land of the living!

Application:

Praise God that His eyes are upon us, even in the midst of great world events. Praise the Lord and trust in Him for restoration for He is the God who restores. Remember not to put our trust in worldly wealth but instead depend on God alone.

Prayer:

I praise You O Lord that Your eyes are upon me, your child. Restore me O Lord and let Your face shine upon me that I might be saved. Restore O Lord the years that the locusts have eaten. Bring new life and new meaning into me O Lord. Let my trust never be on worldly wealth and treasures but on You alone. Only You are everlasting O Lord. Blessed be Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.