“The Lord is good. When people are in trouble, they can go to him for safety.
He takes good care of those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7 NIrV)
Nahum shows us how badly each generation needs a response to the Lord. It does not pass by osmosis to each generation. Salvation is not inherited…it is a personal commitment to obedience and holiness.
Jonah preached to Nineveh near 760 B.C. The entire city repented in humble response. Yet as the Assyrians grew in power they returned to being a haughty, brutal, and proud people. Now Nahum was raised by God to deliver a message of condemnation and destruction. Strong and seemingly invincible, (100 ft. high walls, watchtowers throughout the city, and a moat 150 ft. wide and 60 ft. deep around the city) the people of Nineveh again felt unconquerable.
We need only to observe history to realize that nothing is invincible. The strongest nations have fallen. The most fortified walls have bee torn down. The most powerful dictators have been toppled. Well structures homes and buildings have fallen to wind, floodwaters, and other disasters.
Strength is not found on Wall Street. Protection is not guaranteed within the storm shelter. Flood gates and levees do not hold back every flood. Security is not defined by the size of the army or weapons of choice. Christ offers protection that lasts. When facing troubles, we can go to Him for shelter. When overwhelmed, we find safety in His arms. Even facing death, we find life in the Savior. It’s not about ME AND MY TROUBLES, but about me and my Savior!
“We take a major step toward maturity when we finally realize it's not about us and our significance. It is all about God's magnificence…His holiness…His greatness...His glory.” (Pastor Chuck Swindoll)
Often we ask, “Why me?” when faced with challenges and difficulties. However, we seldom ask that when we receive a bonus check, or go on a wonderful vacation, or haven’t been ill in months. I have come to realize that it is through my struggles that God can receive even more glory than through my successes. I guess my question should be, “Why not me?” After all, Jesus was tested with trial after trial and because He came through sinless and perfect, God received glory beyond description.
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” (Hebrews 13:15-16 NET)
So it’s not about ME AND MY TROUBLES, but God and His glory. I can’t live off of my pastor’s experience of my grandfather’s legacy. I must make choices to accept God’s will for me and be obedient to that. Every individual, every family, every generation must decide for themselves whom they will serve. Yet as we read concerning Nineveh, God is watching. God is ready to judge but also ready to bless. He is pleased with the sacrifices we make to honor Him by helping others. He is pleased with our obedience in choosing holiness over happiness. He is pleased when He receives honor and praise through our decisions, despite the challenging situations we face. It is not about ME AND MY TROUBLES, but God and His glory!
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