Wed.’s Devo - Nahum

Read: Nahum 1:1-3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9 Nahum means “comforter” which describes his words only to God’s people. He is from Elkosh which might be Capernaum since in Jesus’ day Capernaum was also known as the village of Nahum. He prophesied to Judah during the reigns of Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah. His prophecies were given somewhere between the fall of the Egyptian city of Thebes (No) which was destroyed in 663 B.C. and Nineveh’s fall which happened in 612 B.C. He refers back to Thebes in 3:8-10 and tells Nineveh that she would fall just like they did. *** The Assyrians were known for their savagery, abuse and vicious torture to their victims. They had conquered Israel and were threatening to conquer Judah. God intervened on their behalf (I Kings 17-19). It was now a century later and the Assyrians were about to fall. They had repented when Jonah threatened their extinction around 780 B.C., but had gone back to their evil ways. *** Nahum begins by letting them know how angry God was at them. He may be slow to anger, but when he has had enough. He is unstoppable and no one can stand against his power. God was not tolerating their murder and paganism any longer. Nahum gives them a detailed description of what will happen to the evil Assyrians. *** But, in the midst of his tirade, he offers comfort and peace to God’s people who have been the object of Assyrian’s evil abuse. God is their stronghold and they can trust in him. God was going to destroy their enemies and bring them peace. *** In Revelation, the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll and there was complete silence in heaven, The seven angels that stood beside God’s throne were given seven trumpets. Another angel appeared with a gold incense burner. He was given much incense to mix with the prayers of God’s holy people to offer on the altar. These prayer’s ascended to heaven. Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire and threw it down to earth. When he did on earth there was thunder, lightning and a terrible earthquake. *** The angels with the trumpets prepared to blow their trumpets. The first angle blew his and hail and fire mixed with blood was thrown down on the earth. It set 1/3 of the earth on fire. One-third of the trees were burned and all the green grass was burned. *** The second angel blew and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water became blood and one-third of the fish died and one-third of the ships were destroyed. *** The third angel blew an a great star fell from the sky like a torch and fell on one third of the rivers making them bitter. Many died from drinking them. *** The fourth angel blew and one-third of the sun, moon and stars were struck. One-third of the night and day were affected. *** John heard an eagle crying of the terror which would come from the next three trumpets. *** I, personally believe that these trumpets we just read about have already happened on the earth. Many of them happened in the world wars we have had and in events like Chernobyl. (Only my opinion.) *** Lord, you are in charge of what happens with the nations. We are in charge of what happens with our soul. May we give ourselves totally to you so we are hid in the shelter of your wings. Thank you that the war we are in against evil is almost over and we are headed for great times ahead. May we remember what we have learned and never turn from your ways and your word. You are our Almighty Father.