Link to full passage on Bible Gateway
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Stronghold in the Day of Trouble
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in
the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him,” Nahum told the
besieged people of Judah. Nahum’s prophecy encouraged them that the LORD would avenge
His people and destroy Nineveh – a cruel and oppressive enemy. Nineveh was the
powerful and prosperous capital city of Assyria. The prophet Isaiah described the
nation of Assyria as the rod of God’s anger against the people of His wrath
(Isaiah 10:5-6). We first read about Nineveh in the earliest chapters of the
Bible, listed among the cities that Nimrod built (Genesis 10:11). And of
course, we know of Nineveh from the story of Jonah who was sent by God to warn Nineveh
of imminent annihilation because of their treachery and wickedness. Amazingly,
the whole population humbled themselves and turned from their evil practices. And
God spared them. However, as the years passed by, Nineveh returned to their
wicked ways, becoming more powerful and prideful and more treacherous and
oppressive than ever. Yet, Nahum’s message of God’s deliverance brought hope to
Judah, just as Paul’s message to the Romans brings hope to us today (Romans 10:15). “Behold,
on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; pay your vows. For never again will the wicked
one pass through you. He is cut off completely.” (Nahum 1:15). Dear Father, how
beautiful our hope for deliverance and salvation is! How beautiful the vision - that one day, the whole world will live in peace and worship You in
harmony! One day, the wicked one will be completely cut off – never again to kill, steal and destroy. There will be no more Nineveh. There will be
no more pain. No more tears. No more sorrow. Only peace, joy and love. Until that day, may You be a stronghold in the day of trouble to those of us who take refuge in You.
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