Monday Staff Devos by Tony Perez
Nahum 1
Nahum is kind of that book that doesn’t get too much attention and we seem to really only read it when we’re on a Bible reading plan but I’m glad God stopped me in this little book and encouraged me, so I hope it’ll encourage you too.
Nahum is the shortened version of the name Nehemiah, which means "Comfort of Yahweh" and the prophecy he is given is unlike the other prophets we may read because the prophecy was not against Israel it was against Nineveh so the Israelites would’ve been comforted by this.
Jonah ministered to the people of Nineveh about 100 years earlier and they did repent but they went back to their ways even worse than before.
The first thing I notice is before Nahum gets into the judgement, he mentions some characteristics about God to remind the people who God is. God is jealous for us. Anytime our focus isn’t on him or all our adoration and love isn’t on Him, He is jealous for it because He knows that’s what’s best for us. It also says that God is slow to anger and great in power which is cool because it reminds us that God did all for us. He died for us and he did so much for Nineveh. He is graceful and merciful and He gave the people of Nineveh a chance. It’s cool that He says He’s slow to anger and great in power in the same sentence because God doesn’t let people get away with sin, you may think you can but the same God who is slow to anger is also mighty in power and will bring judgement when necessary.
I was reminded last night as [our guest worship leader], Matt, read Psalm 13 that this is the attitude God wants us to have as we go through hard times. Going through troubles gives us a great opportunity to worship God. I think about God’s faithfulness in times of troubles and there’s definitely been times in my life where it seems like everything is going good for everyone but me and God has forgotten me. But in verse 7 of Nahum 1 it says, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in him.” It’s so amazing to see that He is our stronghold in times of trouble. He knows those who trust in Him and He has a relationship with us and knows us in a deep and intimate way. No other human will ever understand totally and perfectly what you’re going through but God does. He knows the depth of how you feel.
I think back to a time where our first child, Jocelyn, was born. My wife had been on staff here for several years but God really made it clear to us that God was calling her to stay home. I always knew God was going to bring her back and I really didn’t know when it was going to happen and now 18 years later she’s working for the school. God has been so faithful to us even in that situation. And we had to make financial adjustments but never in that time did we have to miss a meal, not buy uniforms for our kids, not provide for extracurricular activities etc. God is so faithful and provided for us, He never let us down. He never fails.
I remember one time we received hateful messages from someone and we didn't understand why or even who it was. We were fearful of what could happen to us and began to worry. It was during this time we were going through a study as a staff here and God spoke powerfully to me through Isaiah 8:11-14. It says “For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” God had told me no harm would come to us and that it was Him we should fear and tremble at and not man. When I came home that evening my wife and I put that verse on our fridge and that was the end of it, no more messages, no more threats. God had taken us from a place of fearing someone to a place where we had to, now pray that God would have mercy on the person or people coming against us!
Hebrews 10:31 says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” We went from being scared to praying God would have mercy on who comes against us. God reserves His wrath for His enemies.
In verse 15 of Nahum 1, he says “Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.” In that verse I think God is telling Judah to keep his vows and remain obedient to keep pressing on. In times of trouble, we can have the most intimate times with God.
Whatever you’re going through, God is good, He is your stronghold and He is faithful!
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