Good Morning Friends,
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Although they
have allies and are numerous, they will be cut off and pass away. Although I
have afflicted you, [O Judah,] I will afflict you no more. Now I will break
their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.’ The LORD has given a
command concerning you, [Nineveh]: ‘You will have no descendants to bear your
name. I will destroy the carved images and cast idols that are in the temple of
your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.’ Look, there on the
mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate
your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade
you; they will be completely destroyed.” (Nahum 1:12-15)
The book of Nahum contains a sad story.
Nineveh was given an opportunity to repent under the preaching of Jonah and
they did. The entire city repented, turning away from their sin and to the Lord.
It was a day of God’s compassion and patience. They had been enemies of His
people, but He had given them another chance.
Now in the days Nahum years after Jonah they
were back to their old ways. They had turned away from the Lord again and were
coming against God's people. The word of Nahum was that time had run out for
Nineveh. In Jonah’s day the word was “repent and you will be saved from destruction.”
In Nahum’s day the opportunity to repent was not presented, only the word that destruction
was coming. God’s patience with Nineveh had run out!
Nineveh thought it was so strong. It had so
many allies that it thought it could not be defeated. It was prosperous and
comfortable. Yet, God was coming against it and nothing would stand in the way
of its destruction. Nineveh would be completely destroyed.
At times it looks like the enemies of God are
so successful and so strong that they will never fall. Sometimes it looks like
the forces of evil have won the battle. But that’s not an evidence of their victory,
rather, it is an evidence of God’s patience. And God’s patience will eventually
run out and His enemies will be destroyed -- count on it!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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