Do you have everyday struggles? I do. I love to focus on the goodness of God, because it makes me feel comforted, warm and fuzzy on the inside. We have a good God. He is honest and needs to set His children in line, when they go off course. What kind of father lets his child run around causing trouble and ignores the behavior? Not a good dad. A loving father corrects his child.
God is good, and He loves us. So in turn, God has to correct us when we are going off course. I am not so excited about the correction part, but I understand it is needed. I want my life to line-up with God’s will, so I need to graciously accept correction and pray to change for good.
Today I read the book of Nahum, which has 3 chapters. The book focuses on the destruction of Nineveh, where the Assyrians live. God sent Jonah there 150 years earlier, making a grand entrance by being spit out by a large fish on the beach of Nineveh. When Jonah gave them God’s message, the people of Nineveh sought forgiveness, and God delayed judgement on them. God was gracious and kind. Delayed is the key word. They went back to their evil ways. The capital of Nineveh, Assyria falls, about 150 years after Jonah delivered God’s message.
God will give us time to change and even have mercy on us. We do need to actively change and turn away from our sins. Change is not easy and breaking habits is not either. Pray to change for good.
The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night. -Nahum 1:7-8
This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.
The Lord’s Anger against Nineveh
The Lord is a jealous God,
filled with vengeance and rage.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him
and continues to rage against his enemies!The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great,
and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.
He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm.
The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.At his command the oceans dry up,
and the rivers disappear.
The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade,
and the green forests of Lebanon wither.In his presence the mountains quake,
and the hills melt away;
the earth trembles,
and its people are destroyed.Who can stand before his fierce anger?
Who can survive his burning fury?
His rage blazes forth like fire,
and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.But he will sweep away his enemies
in an overwhelming flood.
He will pursue his foes
into the darkness of night.Why are you scheming against the Lord?
He will destroy you with one blow;
he won’t need to strike twice!His enemies, tangled like thorn bushes
and staggering like drunks,
will be burned up like dry stubble in a field.Who is this wicked counselor of yours
who plots evil against the Lord?This is what the Lord says:
“Though the Assyrians have many allies,
they will be destroyed and disappear.
O my people, I have punished you before,
but I will not punish you again.Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck
and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.”And this is what the Lord says concerning the Assyrians in Nineveh:
“You will have no more children to carry on your name.
I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods.
I am preparing a grave for you
because you are despicable!”Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news!
He is bringing a message of peace.
Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah,
and fulfill all your vows,
for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again.
They will be completely destroyed!—Nahum 1 (NLT)
Embrace This Beautiful Life 