SEPTEMBER 20, 2024
READ: Nahum 1 (Focus vs. 1-8 &15)
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.” Nahum 1:3
BACKGROUND
English Romantic painter John Martin (1789–1854) is known for his apocalyptic landscapes depicting the destruction of civilizations. In these fantastic scenes, humans are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction and powerless against the approaching doom.
One painting, The Fall of Nineveh, depicts people fleeing the coming destruction of mounting waves under dark rolling clouds.
More than two thousand years before Martin’s painting, the prophet Nahum prophesied against Nineveh foretelling its judgment.
The prophet used images of mountains quaking, hills melting, and the earth trembling (Nahum 1:5) to symbolize God’s wrath on those who’d oppressed others for their own gain.
However, God’s response to sin is not without grace. While Nahum reminds his listeners of God’s power, he notes that He is “slow to anger” (v. 3) and “cares for those who trust in him” (v. 7).
Descriptions of judgment are hard to read, but a world where evil isn’t confronted would be a terrible one. Thankfully the prophet doesn’t end on that note.
He reminds us that God desires a good and just world: “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!” (v. 15). That good news is Jesus, who suffered the consequences of sin so we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1, 6).
By: Matt Lucas
INSIGHT
Despite the gloomy and apocalyptic nature of Nahum’s message, God had offered immense grace to evil Nineveh. About a century earlier, He’d sent His reluctant prophet Jonah to warn Nineveh that they’d be “overthrown” (Jonah 3:4).
The city repented, and God relented from destroying it (vv. 5-10). However, history shows how they relapsed into their old ways, their appalling cruelty earning them multiple enemies. This time their judgment would be final.
In 612 bc, the city was overrun by the Medes and Babylonians. Today Nineveh is mostly a ruin located near the Iraqi city of Mosul.
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
How do you want God to defend the oppressed? How might your understanding of His wrath against injustice prompt you to speak up for the oppressed?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Descriptions of judgment are hard to read, but a world where evil isn’t confronted would be a terrible one.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward ]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance…
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [b]burned up.” 2 Peter 3:9-10 nkjv
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
PRAYER
“Father, I pray for those around the world who suffer unjustly.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY”
God of grace and God of glory,
On your people pour your pow’r;
Crown your ancient Church’s story,
Bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
Lo, the hosts of evil round us
Scorn the Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Cure Your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to Your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal.
Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore;
Let the gift of Your salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Serving You whom we adore,
Serving You whom we adore.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ROMANS 3
