February 7 - Desolation

Hoping for a snow delay...

Nahum 2:1-4, 9-10, 13

1 An attacker advances against you Ninevah. Guard your fortress, watch the road, brace yourselves, marshal all your strength! 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. 3 The shields of his soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet. The metal on the chariots flashes on the day they are made ready; the spears of pine are brandished. 4 The chariots storm through the streets, rushing back and forth through the squares. They look like flaming torches; they dart about like lightning.

9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! The supply is endless, the wealth from all its treasures! 10 She is pillaged, plundered, stripped! Hearts melt, knees give way, bodies tremble, every face grows pale.

13 "I am against you," declares the Lord Almighty. "I will burn up your chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will leave you no prey on the earth. The voices of your messengers will no longer be heard."

So, I opened my Bible to the first page I came to and it fell open in the book of Nahum (which was bookmarked by one of my Troy Tulowitzki baseball cards). I began to read a little and realized that I never followed up from my posts about Jonah. Remember, Jonah was called to preach in Ninevah, which was a corrupt, wicked, and sinful city. In this passage, we find Ninevah in the middle of turmoil and attack again...in a way that seems suitable for an action film starring Bruce Willis and any other tough guy actor you can name.

God had warned Ninevah of their wickedness and how it would turn out. Through warnings and efforts by God to make reconciliation with Ninevah, but their hards stayed hard and they continued to turn away from God. He is patient and is not angered easily, but this continuation began the judgement action.

The city of Ninevah was about to get smashed by desolation, which was God's promise. There was also another promise...restoration. Sometimes God takes us down to the lowest place we could get to in order to humble us and open our eyes spiritually. When we sin over and over again, breaking God's will and his heart, he will seek restoration in our lives. No, God will most likely not send out an entire military outfit with weapons and fire. The sad thing is that when the Lord makes His strides to restore our hearts, we fight against Him and resist.

Those in Judah, who trusted in God, would be judged in a different manner, although their possessions and city would be laid to waste. Those who were wicked and resistant to God's command, would see an end to everything they knew. God is the only one who reserves the right to seek vengeance...in Nahum, he does so in order to bring His people back to him.

5 "I am against you," declares the Lord Almighty. "I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. 6 I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle.

God is capable of all things, whether for blessing or punishment.