Background
Nahum preached during the reign of King Manesseh, one of the most evil kings in Judah’s history, who later turned to God. During that time, the nation indulged in all kinds of idolatry and completely turned its back on God. Nonetheless, God protected His people from being totally destroyed by sin. His willingness to send Nahum, whose name means “comfort,” into such a hopeless situation is evidence of His unrelenting and overwhelming grace.
Key Verse
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him…
God protects those who trusts Him
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him…
This verse tells us that God will be our refuge and protector in times of trouble. He will care for us. However, this comes with the condition that we trust in Him. If we do not trust in Him, God leaves it to us to fend for ourselves.
How do we trust in God? By praying and surrendering our problems to Him. By not worrying because worrying reveals our mistrust in Him.
Our enemies are no match for God
Nahum 1:11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and devises wicked plans. 12 This is what the Lord says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away.
God’s enemies are our enemies but they are no match for Him.
Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
God has placed the enemies under Jesus’ feet (Luke 20:42-43) and since we are seated with Jesus in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6), the enemies of God are also under our feet. When we encounter spiritual opposition we should rise up and take authority over the spiritual forces of evil and command them to stop.
God restores what the enemy has destroyed
God may sometimes allow trouble into our lives to mold our character. For a period the devil may seem to be getting the upper hand over us and leaving us devastated. But God promises that whatever the devil has destroyed He will restore back to us.
Nahum 2:2 The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines.
We see this in the example of Job. God allowed the devil to ravage his life so that Job may learn valuable lessons. At the end of the chapter we read that God restored to Job double of what the devil has taken away.