A Reminder of God’s Goodness
Nahum’s letter to the people of Judah, in the southern part of Israel, is both a call for repentance and a letter of judgment. The northern tribes had already been exiled to Assyria, and the unfaithfulness of Judah was also leading them into exile.
There's a lot happening in Judah at this time. It's an era of national turmoil. The people have been unfaithful. But rather than focusing on the surrounding dangers or the cultural pressures, Nahum points the people back to the character of God, which never changes.
Nahum reminds us that God is good. Even though the world around Israel was changing rapidly, their God remained the same. He is always good. In the midst of every circumstance, we can trust God will never change but will always desire what is good for us.
Nahum continues to remind us that God is a refuge in the midst of difficult times. Because God is all-powerful, He will protect you from the dangers of this world.
Lastly, Nahum tells us that God cares for those who trust in Him. As you put your trust in God, He cares for and watches over your soul. While it can be difficult to trust God in uncertain times, Scripture tells us that it is the only way to true security.
Take some time today to consider your own life and the circumstances you’re in. Whether your situation is a good one or a bad one, remember these three truths:
God is good.
God is your refuge.
God cares for you when you trust in Him.
The Most Important Thing
When Jesus was asked in Matthew 22 what the most important command was, He didn’t hesitate to recite Deuteronomy 6:5:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (NIV)
The starting point for all of our lives is wrapped up in loving God. We were created to love God and have a relationship with Him. We love because He first loved us!
Amid everything that you have to do in life, the most important thing is that you love God with everything that you are. If we become successful in life but don’t love God, we’ve missed the most important thing.
In Deuteronomy, God instructed the Israelites to constantly keep this command in their hearts and minds. They made physical reminders to help them remember to love God in everything they did. They taught this command to their children as the foundation of all other commands in Scripture.
Take some time to consider your life. Is loving God the primary motivation? Think about ...