The Lord is good, A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 AMP
The Context and Focus:
It is interesting to note the context in which the prophet Nahum spoke. He was sent to prophesy about the land of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. This was a great, large and beautiful city at the time, enjoying prosperity and comfort. It was also a land that had either forgotten or rejected God, and punishment was being promised by God for its sin. Just as God has always warned, He punishes sin. It does not matter who you are, what you are, what you have, or where you think you are coming from or going; God always punishes sin, no matter in whom it is found. As you read the words of the bible and see God's dealings with man, you learn ar least two fundamental lessons, which are the facts that nobody can hide from the eyes of God, and his heart is full of love, which is why he sets out the rules of engagement for all who seek to come to Him. He tells me right from the outset what I stand to gain if I surrender to Him, as well as what I stand to lose too if I reject Him. Why would I then complain about Him being unfair when the repercussions of my choice begin to operate?
The Message:
The verse just before today's extract further buttresses this point: "Who can stand before His indignation [His great wrath]? And who can stand up and endure the fierceness of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire And the rocks are destroyed by Him". That is God when he is angry about sin. These verses follow each other so that no one is in doubt as to who God is, and what he demands and expects from us. He can kill, and He can also make allve. He can punish, and he can also forgive. He can destroy, and he can also restore. The story of creation speaks about His large heart, creating and placing man right at the top of all He made on earth. God has provided what you could call a CV, telling me who He is, and what He can do. It then means that if I come to Him, I know what to expect, as well as what is expected of me. It is a two-way street, with God faithful to His Word, and also supplying grace and strength for me to also be faithful to Him in return. When God says He is a good God, He means what he says. His goodness is the reason why I have not been destroyed, and I still have access to the throne of grace.
The Conclusion:
If you have not taken advantage of the offer He has made, today is the day of salvation. In addition to who God is, the verse above also speaks to what he gives. He is a Strength and Stronghold in times of trouble, which means hard times are bound to come. No amount of prayers can stop tough times from coming, but by praying, I am seeking the Help of the One who assures of victory. He is able to take care of ALL who take refuge and trust in Him. It may not always end the way you want it to; men like Stephen or James may have been killed, but the end was really worth it. For some, they had to get in first, before God brought them out, but in all instances, there was no doubt the hand of the Lord was leading and guiding. However it ends, it must end with God. If my current course will not end up with God, it is not worth pursuing. His invitation still stands, but it must be noted that it is an invitation that is timed. I don't have forever on this side of eternity; I need to prepare for my eternal home. Are we preparing the right way? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment