Read Nahum 1
Highlights:
Prophecy and fulfillment of Nineveh's destruction; Habakkuk's prayer; vision of coming woes.
O Lord, how long shall I cry, and Thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou wilt not save! (Hab. 1:2).
Through sympathy for his fellow-sufferers, the prophet cried for help as if he himself needed it. He prayed, asking: Why is it, Lord, that violence and strife and contention abound; the Law is set aside; the righteous are oppressed; the evil man reigns; and I am helpless to stop it?
Surely, thousands of Christians who have been wrongly accused, tortured, or put to death must have asked he same question: Why?
One of the greatest lessons of this Book is to follow the example of Habakkuk. When he received no answer, he said: I will stand upon my watch . . . and will watch to see what He will say (2:1). Habakkuk understood that it is not always for the believer to understand the circumstances that they are going through. It has not changed in over 2000 years that have passed since Habakkuk's time. As believers today, there are going to be times we go through things and we have no idea why they are happening. Or, we may never know the answer because it is of no benefit to us to know. God knows why and He will reveal to us as He sees fit. We must trust God as He leads and guides us down life's roads. Our desire should be that our walk glorifies Him. Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more (I Thess. 4:1).
In the midst of a Chaldean invasion, the prophet Habakkuk declared: The just shall live by his faith (Hab. 2:4). It was also proclaimed by Paul: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God. . . . The just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:7,17). And this message is still being proclaimed by Christians in every part of the world.
We must continue to carry this message of faith in Christ to the lost, the brokenhearted, the homeless and all who need to hear the good news of Jesus. We can live by faith because we have someone who is worth believing. We have the promise of Jesus' return. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).
Now the just shall live by faith (Heb. 10:38).
Thought for Today:
There are daily problems in life for which God alone has the best answers. Therefore, we need to trust Him to execute justice.
Christ Revealed:
As the One whom even the sea obeys (Nah. 1:4). Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm (Matt. 8:26).
Word Studies:
Nah. 1:12 quiet, strong, safe, secure; 1:14 no more of thy name be sown, nothing of your name will remain; 2:7 tabering, beating; 3:19 bruit, report. Hab. 1:4 the law is slacked, the law is never enforced.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Staff: Barbara Jean Jackson • Government Officials: Gov. Janice K. Brewer (AZ) and Rep. Frank C. Guinta (NH) • Country: Ukraine (51 million) east-central Europe • Major languages: Ukrainian and Russian • Religious freedom • 55% Orthodox (various jurisdictions); 15% Catholic (mainly Greek-Catholic); 3.2% Protestant; 1% Jews; .5% Muslim; 25.3% Agnostic/Atheist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for understanding as you read the Word of God (Ps. 119:73).
Memory Verse for the Week: James 1:12