142nd Week, Micah Chapter 7 & Nahum

 

Click on Title for Video Introduction

Monday, Micah Chapter 7

Micah 7

Verses 18-19

Delores Little

Verses 18-19:  Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

THOUGHT

What a loving God we serve. How many times do we as believers hold sin against our own family, friends or church members? Our Father sees all and knows all, and He forgives us daily.  This scripture is showing us how to let loose and let God be in control.

Matthew 18:18 tells us, “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  We bind people if we do not forgive them, and by forgiving them, we are letting God work on them.  John 20:22 says, “And with that He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them they are not forgiven.’”  Here again God is showing us the reason to forgive others and even ourselves.  Then He hurls all our sins into the depths of the sea.

I like what Corrie ten Boom wrote about this scripture.  She said, “NO FISHING ALLOWED”.  Once we ask and are forgiven, let it be and go on. Don’t bring it up again.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You that You forgive us and love us so much that You gave Your Son Jesus for us. Help us keep our eyes on You always in good and bad times. Bless the Salt Shakers and their prayers. Heal the ill and comfort the ones who lost loved ones. Open jobs for those who need work. Like the song says, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, Lord; I want to see Jesus, I want to see Jesus.”  In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Tuesday, Nahum Introduction

Nahum Introduction

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT

The Purpose of this book in the Bible was to pronounce God’s judgment on Assyria and to comfort Judah with this truth. God would judge the city of Nineveh for its idolatry, arrogance, and oppression. 

Although Assyria was the leading military power in the world and the most powerful nation on earth, God would completely destroy this “invincible” nation. God allows no person or power to scoff at His authority. Jonah had preached in the streets of the great city 100 years earlier. They had heard God’s message and had turned from their evil ways. However, generations later evil was again reigning, and the prophet, Nahum, pronounced judgment on this wicked nation. Nineveh was called “The City of Blood”.

The message is clear. Disobedience, rebellion, and injustice will not prevail but will be punished severely by a righteous and Holy God who rules over all the earth. As you read Nahum, sense God’s wrath as He avenges sin and brings about justice. Then decide to live under His guidance and within His rules, command, and guidelines for life.

PRAYER

Father God, rid us of power, pride and lust.  Keep us Holy as we concentrate on Your Word and Power through prayer and accountability.  We need each other’s strength.  Keep us strong and together.  These reminders keep us humble.  We think that this could never happen to us.  God, You are as mighty now as You were then.  Help us spread Your righteousness, love and promises to our world.  AMEN

Wednesday, Nahum Chapter 1

Nahum 1

Bart Strayer

THOUGHT

Nahum is speaking of the events of 612 B.C. when the armies of the Babylonians and the Medes destroyed Nineveh.  I have to recall our reading in Jonah to gain some perspective on what the Prophet Nahum is saying here. 

Remember, God had a special, undeniable call on Jonah’s life. God had such a special word for the people of Nineveh that he wrangled Jonah (in the literal sense) through the belly of a whale and across great land spans to deliver a special message to this city. What was the response? Jonah saw the city repent and come back to God.  The King’s Decree was, “Let every man, woman, and child call on God and repent.”

And now, the prophet, Nahum, warns the city of its coming fate. After 100 years since Jonah, the city has fallen back into evil practices, and God has set into motion the end of Nineveh.

PRAYER

Lord, we again thank You for Your Word and the perspective it brings about You. We thank You for the guidance that You have provided to us as a group as we pursue Your Word. Continue to mold and shape this group of believers for Your glory. In Jesus Name. AMEN

Thursday, Nahum Chapter 2

Nahum 2

Verse 13

Bart Strayer

Verse 13:  “I am against you." declares the Lord.

THOUGHT

We see this time after time in the Old Testament. God gave the people of this city a chance to change their ways, and they did, for a while. But they returned to wickedness and now suffer the consequences.

The Lord has used these events to speak to me over the years about my mess ups. As a result, I have grown less concerned about my initial sin due to lack of understanding or given my negligence. I am not trying to justify these actions as good. I am just saying I have seen God’s grace more often during these times. However, I have grown more fearful of times of known wrong doing AFTER God’s correction has come, and we still go against Him. 

This is what we are seeing in Nineveh and in many other nations throughout time. There are important lessons in these Old Testament accounts. They are in the Bible because God wants us to be mindful of His ways.

PRAYER

Lord, we thank You for the many blessings You have given us. We ask for Your guidance as we go about our week. Give us discerning eyes to see the path You have for us. Help us gain a new understanding of You as we read Your Word. AMEN

Friday, Nahum Chapter 3

Nahum 3

Bart Strayer

THOUGHT

“After having ruled for more than six hundred years with hideous tyranny and violence, from the Caucasus and the Caspian to the Persian Gulf, and from beyond the Tigris to Asia Minor and Egypt, it vanished like a dream” — the Prophet Nahum

As we conclude this book of Nahum, history tells us that Nineveh was attacked by the Medes, who subsequently being joined by the Babylonians and Sasanians, again attacked it and was taken down to the ground. The Assyrian empire then came to an end. The Medes and Babylonians divided its provinces between them. In fulfillment of prophecy, God made “an utter end of the place.” It became a “desolation.”

The destruction was so thorough that the ruins of the city were lost for more than 2000 years. It wasn’t until recently that the ruins were discovered. I did some Googling and found an interesting quote by an archaeologist that confirms God's actions against the great City.

“The recent excavations,” says Rawlinson, “have shown that fire was a great instrument in the destruction of the Nineveh. Calcined alabaster, charred wood and charcoal, colossal statues split through with heat, are met within parts of the Nineveh mounds, and attest the veracity of prophecy.”

PRAYER

Father, guide us as we start a new week. Continue to speak to us through Your Word. Give us the strength and wisdom to serve You. We ask for the discernment to keep us on Your path for our lives. AMEN