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 that 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 can protect you from the dangers of this world. But even when you face hard things, He will be there to help you get through them.
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 Best Plans
Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse that’s often slapped onto journals, etched into coffee mugs, and printed on t-shirts.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
And God does have a plan for you.
God does want to bless you.
God does want to give you hope and a future.
But, we should also pay attention to the original context …
In this case, God was speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah—people who’d recently been exiled to Babylon for 70 years.
The Jewish people were banished to a foreign land because of their insatiable appetite for sin. In fact, for 23 years Jeremiah had been warning them to stop rebelling against God or prepare to face the consequences.
God is patient, but He is also just.
In other words, the Jews were sent to timeout. And as you can read in the preceding chapters, God made a case against His ...