Wow. Did anyone else realize Wednesday comes every seven days? Hm. Who knew? Today, we look at the book of Nahum. If you haven’t read it, take a quick look before you read on. It’s only about two pages long. A verse is sure to jump out at you, because this is God’s Word, after all. Drop down to the comments and tell us all about it, then we’ll talk about Habakkuk next week!
Nahum 1:7–The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
Boy, after the week the South has had, don’t you know we need to hear this one? I confess that, when I look at the devastation just a couple of hours south of us, it’s hard to see where God is in it. But the thing is, we don’t have to see Him to know He is there. He promises to be there, and God is not a man that He should lie.
We’ll never be able to explain why this happened, but God will be a refuge in it. It sounds so trite, but I know that God brings peace in the midst of the worst situations. I know because I’ve experienced that peace. Horrible, terrible things we don’t even want to think about happen on this earth, but God will give us peace if we turn to Him and let Him.
And one more thing that is not related to this verse but that is related to the situation. It’s okay to get mad at Him. And it’s okay to tell Him you’re mad, you don’t understand, you want answers. He may not give the answers, but He is a big God and understands the emotions and the questions. Thing is, if you’re mad and don’t tell Him, He already knows. Think about what happens when you get angry at your spouse or a friend and you don’t talk it out. It festers and makes resentment that interferes with the relationship. I had a hard time learning that lesson, but now I know I can go to God and say, “I really don’t like that you let that happen” and He understands. Many is the time I’ve gone to him angry and questioning, and He’s wrapped me in His arms and let me rage until I was ready to be comforted. That’s the beauty of God. He’s never going to let us out of that embrace.
-JB
Dawn Lucowitz says
I guess it was bound to happen, we’d pick the same verse one of these weeks. Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
This is such a great verse for me this week. My reasoning this week is more personal than all the devastation going on in the world these days. I know and get it that God can be there in those situations and we need to cry out to him when we need him, but we also need to in the situations that may not seem so big and obvious to the outside world. Sure, everyone can see the devastation of the floods and war and the other natural disasters that have taken place, but the less obvious are those internal battles we fight. I recently had my Soldier return from a year long deployment. I can’t express how happy and thankful I am to have him home on American soil safe and sound. But, things aren’t perfect, and they never are (for anyone). I thought I was much better prepared this time by not having unrealistic expectations about the wonderful reunion time. I knew things would be hard and would take time to feel “normal” again. I know that I am a horrible communicator, and marrying someone just as bad at that leads to some of that strife and resentment that Jodie mentioned in her comments.
It’s so easy for me to just shut down right now when things are hard. It’s so easy to go into a shell inside myself, or start eating way too much or drinking way too much. It’s super easy to just lash out at every little thing that is said or not said, done or not done that puts me on edge. I need to keep remembering that the Lord is good and a refuge ALWAYS. I know that this is a hard season for us right now, but I also know that the Lord has huge plans. Sometimes we don’t understand the devastation going on in the world or the hurt in our personal lives, but in the end, God has a plan. I know that this season will lead to something amazing and beautiful as long as I trust in him and hold on to his promises.
Jodie says
Praying so hard for your “something amazing and beautiful.” And praying double hard after your text today! 🙂
Jen says
Nahum 1:3b- His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
We’ve chosen a lot of favorite verses, but I think this one is in my Top 10 so far. Something about knowing that God is at work during life’s storms (and in my experience, that’s where He does His BEST work!) is like sitting in front of a fire with a warm blanket wrapped around you while you watch a blizzard going on outside. It’s pure comfort. And the fact that the looming, ominous clouds are nothing but dust at His feet? What a reminder of how very big our God is! 🙂
Jodie says
OOH, had not thought of that, that the clouds are the dust at His feet. I want to remember that one!!!
Jason says
Good stuff, Jodie. Goooood stuff.
Jodie says
Thanks, Jason!
Jason says
Good stuff, Jodie. Goooood stuff.