DEVOTION – DAY 596

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord Is Our Refuge”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him, but with an overwhelming flood, He will make an end to Nineveh; He will pursue His foes into the realm of darkness.”

The background to the book of Nahum is that the prophet Nahum wanted to comfort the southern kingdom of Judah during the period of oppression they were experiencing from the neighboring kingdom of Assyria. The Assyrian rulers were known to be cruel and brutal to the rulers and leaders whom they captured. They were known for cruelly torturing them before executing them. The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722-721BC. In 700BC, Nineveh was made the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Nahum gave the prophecy above, to the people of Judah, to take comfort them for the Lord is good, and He is their refuge in times of trouble. Nahum assured the people that they could trust God because He cares for them. Nahum also predicted that an overwhelming flood awaited Nineveh and the Assyrians were doomed. This prophecy was fulfilled in 612 BC when the city of Nineveh was overthrown. God’s righteous and just kingdom will triumph in the end because kingdoms built on wickedness and tyranny will eventually fall. From this passage, we learn to trust in the Lord, for safety and protection comes from Him.

We know a pastor from Myanmar. He faced multiple trials. He and his family fled Myanmar to live in a nearby country. There, he was able to start a church to minister to the needs of his fellow Myanmar refugees. It was not easy as he had little funds. But he and his family trusted the Lord. The Lord was their refuge. During the Covid pandemic a few years ago, some in the family became ill. Again, the family trusted in the Lord. They recovered. They were worried about their relatives still left behind in Myanmar. They can only trust that in God’s perfect timing, God will deliver His people and end the cruel military regime in their country.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are our refuge and you are good and you care for us. Although there are much trouble and injustice all around us, please help us to trust in you and your protection in all circumstances. May our faith in you never waver. We pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some of your fears that causes you to worry? Is it some personal health issue? Is it some financial difficulty? Is it the effects of spreading Gulf War?
  2. How has God been your refuge is past times of trouble? Share.
  3. How will you turn now to God and surrender your fears and concerns to Him? 
  4. What will you ask Him to do for you? How will you be patient and continue to put your trust and faith in Him?