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.

He cares for those who trust in him

He cares for those who trust in him

Scripture:

The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:3

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him Nahum 1:7

Observation: The prophet Nahum, like Jonah was sent to preach against the great Assyrian city of Nineveh, warning them to repent or face immediate judgment. However, unlike Jonah’s case, where the Ninevites repented, this time they did not repent, and were annihilated as prophesied.

The first Scripture today tells us that the Lord is slow to anger but great in power. The power of the Lord is seen clearly by us in nature. Imagine a powerful thunderstorm, or a devastating cyclone wreaking havoc in a town. Trees uprooted, roofs flying off, even animals and vehicles caught up in a whirlwind. How powerless men is in the face of the forces of nature. Earthquakes, tsunamis and natural disasters of all kinds are all a general result of God’s judgment on the sin of the world. Yet, the Scripture also says that the Lord is slow to anger. The Lord has tolerated man and his foolish ways for thousands of years. Just as the Lord is slow to anger, we too need to learn to be slow to anger with our fellow man. Our Lord Jesus warns us that he who is angry with his brother is in danger of the fire of hell. There is a place for righteous anger, like when our Lord showed great anger in chasing out the money changers and businessmen who had made God’s temple a den of thieves. However, in general, there is much we would do well to forgive and move on, without bearing grudges.

The second Scripture tells us three things about the Lord. Firstly, the Lord is good! All that is good comes from Him. The natural love parents have for their children, the acts of showing kindness to the needy, all show the godly part of God’s character that remind us that we are made in God’s image. Secondly, the Lord is a refuge in times of trouble. Are we in trouble? Seek the Lord! He is our help, our refuge in times of trouble. Jesus said “No one who comes to me will I turn away”. Whatever trouble we may face, do not give up, but keep hoping in the Lord who is able to help us. Thirdly, the Lord cares for those who trust in Him. For those who are proud and independent and think they don’t need the Lord, the Lord is far away from them. However, the needy and those who depend on Him for help will find the Lord. We must learn to trust God, in any and every circumstance.

Application: Praise God for His great power, and thank Him that He is slow to anger. Confess our sins of being quick to anger. Ask God to help us forgive and be more patient of others. Thank the Lord that He is good, and that He is our refuge in times of trouble. Go to the Lord in prayer, whatever our needs. Always trust in Him, even in the darkest storm. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Prayer: Praise You, Heavenly Father for Your great and mighty power. You are in control of all nature, and all nature declares Your power and strength. Forgive me O Lord, for the times I have been so quick to anger. Help me learn to be more patient and forgiving. Thank You, Lord, that You are so good.  Thank You, Lord Jesus that You are my refuge in times of trouble. I will trust in You O Lord for You care for me. Even in the darkest storm, I will trust in You for salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.