By -
Nahum 1-3

Read the ENTIRE BOOK OF NAHUM now with the BIBLE READER to the right of this post, or at http://www.biblegateway.com/. Surprised it was only three chapters? God gives us miracles all the time :)

HOPE IS HERE.

Until today, I was just reading these stories in the Bible as if they had already happened, and all the lessons were already learned. They were facts, like in history class. But there was a little blip of a story in the side of my Bible giving the viewpoint of someone living in those times. I guess I never actually made it an effort for us to actually THINK about the people facing this kind of stuff.

Like what my Bible said-- imagine you were a little girl living in Jerusalem. Or worse-- the horrible city of Nineveh! These stories aren't just made up facts that back up a religion. They're actual events, that had actual people go through them!

So, in today's reading, the people of Nineveh were bullying other countries. People were genuinely afraid, and didn't know who to turn to. Have you ever felt like that? Like NO ONE understands, and you're all alone? I know I have... from one time to another. I hate feeling helpless, like I don't have choices.

Anyway, if you put yourself in the shoes of ancient people in today's reading, how would you feel if you heard God speaking through the prophet, Nahum? It would give me so much hope. I can already feel my burdens lifting!

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Nahum 1:3

So, next time you wanna punch someone "guilty" in the face, take a deep breath and think of how this passage applies to us. Everything is put into the Bible for a reason, it's not just there for facts. It's to give US hope in OUR suffering, and remind us there's a God of justice who loves us more than we can imagine.

Peace out, people.

*I'd like to thank my brand of Bible for adding the little tidbits that help me with my devotions. Thanks, faithGirls!

Comments

Granny said…
We are not to judge or punish...God will get the job done, in HIs time and His Way.
September 23, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The World that We Live In- A Prayer

By -
Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, included a beautiful lyric in one of his songs, "The World that We Live In." This is the world that we live in, and I feel myself get tired. Boy, is this ever true. I just started a new job this summer, which is so exciting, but in all of that excitement I have been so busy adjusting to working life that I really haven't had time to poke my head out and look up at the world around me.  In some respects, that's a good thing. I have been able to temporarily shield myself from state of our nation and the hurtful rhetoric being used against the least of these. However, when I do have time, or if there is something that is just too big to ignore, it hits me like a train. I am suddenly, instantly aware of just how broken our world is, and how deeply we need our Lord Jesus to come. Maranatha . And, when I get overwhelmed… When my thoughts are too vast and too incomprehensible and I have a hard time sleeping at night,
Read more
By -
John 13-15 Check out http://www.bible.gateway.com/ to read todays verses or go to the BIBLE READER to the right of this post. So Jesus does something big in the reading tonight. He washes his disciples feet. washing someones feet was usually done by the lowest ranking person in the room, it was a dirty job because everyone wore sandals on the dirt roads, plus everyone walked everywhere. When Jesus does this he knows that his time on earth is coming to an end and that he needs to teach his disciples another lesson: humility. We all need to take this lesson in, especially in the world we live in today, sometimes we think things are beneath us to do, maybe it's babysitting your little brother, moving the lawn, cleaning up the house, or something more. But we need to learn that we need to be willing to do God's work in the world, doing whatever it takes to get His message out there. Jesus tells his disciples- "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, s
Read more
By -
Matthew 27-28 Read these chapters now with the BIBLE READER to the right of this post or at http://www.biblegateway.com/ SLOW DOWN AND THINK ABOUT IT! To me, there are two things that get in the way of making good, clean decisions: Hate, and Love. Two passionate emotions, which BOTH can lead to rash decisions you're bound to regret later. Today is just a reminder to everyone that even though in the moment, things might seem fine and dandy, every decision done out of these emotions will come back to you somehow. Sometimes, we just need to slow down and think about it. We need to take the time to THINK, instead of getting caught up in the moment. I know this is a silly example, but take Homecoming for example. You know, the dance at the beginning of the school year? People tend to live a little too in the moment, so I've noticed. They get mad at people for STUPID things, and they dance a little to close with people they'll regret the next day. I've counted several instanc
Read more