This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the Minor Prophets.
What Is Nahum? The book of Nahum is the message given to the kingdom of Judah concerning the destruction of Nineveh and Assyria. In delivering this message, the prophet Nahum affirms the certainty of God’s judgement on His people’s enemies, as well as His care for His people.
How Nahum Fits Into the Story: The book of Nahum provides a view of a powerful and just God who maintains His absolute moral standards, while offering hope to those who are despised and downtrodden. Nahum’s message teaches us to trust in God, even when our situation seems hopeless, and reminds us that God will stand with those who belong to Him.
Reflection Questions:
1. What temporary and earthly refuges have failed you? How is God superior to them?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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57 thoughts on "Nahum"
All earthly refuges have been temporary; material, relational, nothing can fill the gap of His spiritual fulfillment. I have turned to many different things in the hopes for rescuing, only to be brought to my knees and reminded that there is only One who can save. I’m sure this will be a lesson I will need to learn constantly, but there is more peace in my life now that I know the Lord and his rescue story. These historical reminders are so helpful in knowing how much bigger He is than any early trap or trial we will face. There is peace in knowing we are seen and his love and yearn for justice over his children burns so fiercely. How loved are we!
I needed this lesson today. It wasn’t a great day. I needed to know that I can go into God’s arms and he will cover me and care for me no matter what I’m going through.
I know the feeling I had parents that failed me terribly
@Maura my Mother had dementia and God was the only thing that connected in her mind. If she was feeling agitated I would bring out the old hymnnal and ask if she knew these songs. She would start singing them! There is a song “ If She Could” by Sherri Easter, it’s a beautiful song. Keep the tissues handy! God taught me so much through that time, He said He would never leave you nor forsake you! Psalm 71: 17-18. Blessings Sisters!
Take refuge in the Lord our God
I’m so glad that we can find refuge in Jesus.
@ANNA & @ MAURA @KAITLIN SCHROEDER – I can’t tell you what your comments meant to me…all of it…I prayed them as a prayer back to Him. I am His; the kids are DEFINITELY His.❤️
@KAREN S – praying for all the things you do & don’t know that you need to be blessed and a blessing for your MIL
and husband…He knows! Praying Psalm 121 over you.
@MAURA @ERB @MARI V @all my SISTERS… Praying for you ❤️
Churchmouse?!
In response to Mari V and others. I’ve been on and off here for years and like many of you always looking forward to Church mouse’s comments. Hoping she is ok as well. I remember she had some health issues and struggled when she couldn’t attend church because of covid. Lets all say a prayer for her.
The other thing about temporary and earthly refuges is that they not only fail, but many of these refuges are not good for us. Some may seem benign but lead us away from God, and some are downright harmful and lead us not only away from God but directly to hurt and pain. But God will never fail us. He is always for us and is always and forever good.
Karen S. I used to work w/ dementia patients and found Alzheimer’s Association has some very good resources. They are online. The best of luck to you.
This reading today truly shows God can surpass all earthly strength, he ALONE is all powerful!! I have truly seen that these past couple of months, he has moved MOUNTAINS for me. Oh how wonderful it is to be so loved and cared for by Him. The verse from Nahum 9-15 “oppression will NOT rise up a second time . . . they will be consumed like entangled thorns, like the drink of a drunkard, and like straw that is fully dry. One has gone out from you who plots evil again the Lord. Celebrate your festivals, celebrate your vows, for the wicked one will never again March through you, he will be entirely wiped out.”
Although this is regarding the destruction of Nineveh, I still find is SO relevant to my boyfriend’s situation. Now that the demonic spirit of addiction and alcoholism is out into the light where God was able to move mountains and deal with it, it is gone forever!! During such hopeless days I would ask, “God, why did you let it get to this point (basically at point of knocking on death’s door four different times) and he would just so sweetly speak back to me “Kaitlin, this is just the way it has to be. Don’t question why, it has to get to this severity so that he will never drink again and fully commit his life to me” and that’s exactly what needed to happen! God moved in such mighty non-earthly ways to cast this demon within him as far as the east is from the west, and I CLAIM it shall never again come near him. God has huge plans for us to serve him and I cannot wait to see what our future holds. Thank you for continued prayer, he’s off of dialysis and moved into regular room from ICU. I get to see him awake for first time since transplant this Sunday so please pray for strength and positive words from God to share with him.
FOSTER MAMA—I am praying for peace and rest over your state of mind and heart. All we can do in situations like that is just hand it all over to God. As long as we are actively seeking God and his will, which obviously you have and have found support from others that show alignment with His will, he will handle things! I am SO type A and I have always wanted to control everything in my life. God has really shown me how to just “let go and let God”—and the outcomes are always better than I could imagine. Hope you can find peace in Gods loving embrace and in the joy that he has in you his child for acting according to his will.
SARAH D—So glad to hear you got a full time job!! How exciting! I had to switch majors in college and remember being so bummed and confused and didn’t know why God would want me to change things up. But I didn’t question his will for my life, and he abundantly blessed me and moved me into situations years later that have been as a direct result of that change. So although change can be scary and new and uncharted waters, God’s got ya! Lean into him and listen for his promptings
MAURA—I am so sorry you are dealing with that with your father. I am in my twenties and cannot even imagine seeing my strong daddy go through that and not even remember me. My heart goes out to you dear sister. You are so strong in your faith though for not even letting that waver you!—you just tell him he hopes he doesn’t forget Jesus, I love it! Not to make like of the situation, but I can tell you are a very strong woman like myself and can find the good in bad situations even when there’s not much to be found. Praying for peace over your heart and mind and that God gives you a peaceful and enjoyable visit with your family.
ERB—continuing to pray for your strength and against these seizures! God has you dear sister.
MUNCHKIN—sending up prayers for God to speak wisdom to your heart and grant peace over your mind and soul
I would have to say certain friends have failed me. But I’m lucky in that my family has not failed me. My family ties are strong for which I am very thankful. My parents and grandparents instilled in my siblings and myself that family is important. I too often in my nursing career have seen where the families are very divided clear to the end of the parents life.
Lord, thank you for a loving and caring family. Thank you for the friends that I have. But God most of Thank you for being there when I need You. Amen.
Be blessed this weekend sisters.
love this reading today!
The next question I’ll be asking myself daily is, How will I take refuge in the Lord today!!!
Sarah D., do not feel your major was a waste. God knows how He leads each of his children. My daughter studied nursing for three years and got all her theory and felt God leading her to change to teaching. But in a short amount of time after she graduated and had her first job she was using so much of all her science classes to have a much deeper grasp teaching chemistry and other such subjects from her nursing in with her high school students. My husband gives the same testimony of things he thought where a waste to study in college and how God has used those things so much in ministry now as a missionary on the foreign field. God knows what He is doing in our lives as His children, if we will allow Him to lead us and use us. Lessing in your new job!
I have been feeling your prayers, ladies. Thank you.
ERB I loved you post! I so needed to hear those words.
HEIDI, first of all- SO glad to see you today; I have missed you!!! Second, you spoke for my heart today, too. I am in my sixties, not a young mom with littles, so I guess that proves that God doesn’t stop “growing” us until we take our last breath. Thanks for sharing your insights!!!
Adding my prayers for wisdom, grace, and peace for all requests.
MAURA, I loved those verses too and actually put them in my scripture journal. I am excited to hear that you are getting to see and be with family this weekend!!! Such an incredible & miraculous blessing!!!! My prayers are with you (& your family!) I pray that God will make Himself known and that any walls, hinderances, or complications that may be there would completely crumble and fall…I’m thinking Jericho…do, say and go exactly & ONLY where/what God wants you to…let Him do the work, just be and abide in our Father!! Dear God, let anything that isn’t directly from You have no room!! Let the seeds You want to be planted be placed in fertile ground..and let them grow!! Take heart dear friend. God goes before you AND behind you!! …fear not for HE is WITH you. …I also feel led to pass on a bit of wisdom from an elder in my life
“What does an apple tree do to bear fruit? …it does nothing. It just is.”
Let us both ABIDE and find REST in our awesome God this weekend!!
ps …I can’t believe we’re in chapter 55 either!!! It seems like we JUST started doing this!!! I am so grateful for this time and this journey!! ❤️
1. I think the refuge that has broken for me is my family’s goodness/righteousness. It sounds dumb to type that, but growing up I though we had the perfect family. Now my family has had some extremely difficult situations including mental illness requiring hospitalization and infidelity. It’s broken me, but I’ve also recognized that none of us can be perfect.
God is my righteousness. He has been faithful to redeem some of the brokenness. And we are praying for more breakthrough. He has more for us than we can conjure up in our strength. “He is our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble.”
2. God’s redemption is never thwarted despite what we see. God has His way and He remains faithful regardless of what we see or do.
Thank you for sharing SarahJoy
Seeking refuge in material things- money, status, outward appearance of success has failed me- God doesn’t care about any of that! If there is one good thing the pandemic gave me was time to see that I was missing a deeper relationship with God.
Yes!! Thank you, Sarah!
Me too Sarah! Love this!
ERB, Just saw your post. Amen Indeed! Joy and Thanksgiving!! :)
What temporary and earthly refuges has failed me? 1. The very first thing that popped into my head when I read this question was: “I’m not sure” . But… though I disliked greatly (and that’s putting it lightly) all the court appearances I had to make, the nervousness I felt, the uneasy ness, the pit in my stomach, The feeling that I was going to pass out right there in the courtroom, being told by the Haven rep they went with me to “take a deep breath“ I know that I know, I was not alone. My God was with me. The women’s haven was a refuge for me even though I never had to be in hiding but they coached me and listen to me and came with me to all court appearances. And MOST of all MY GOD, MY JESUS went with me! I am forever grateful!
Good Morning Sisters,
Praying for you and Tanner, Traci G, I love that His mercies are new every morning, take time for your heart. Praying Tanner feels Jesus near in overwhelming love and knows it is all for him. Foster Mama, praying for this child too. Isaiah 55 – which is ERB and my reading for today says 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” I have many times thought I could be the one to save, my daughter, my beautiful Grands. But always God teaches me He is the Way, the Truth and the Life they need. I have learned too, He wants us to see ourselves with grace too. Please understand your value as His beloved Child. If you have to, remember that insulting your self insults your Creator. Lift up that which He has made and give Him glory. Sending Hugs to your heart. Karen S. praying for your heart too. May God give you His perspective, His love, His grace and may you find His joy. Praying for your MIL too, may she find peace despite the confusion, may she feel Him near. I always think maybe music helps Dimentia. I have told my Dad, recently as his memory of me is gone, that it is okay that He doesn’t remember me, I just pray he always remembers Jesus, and that he is so loved. It has been hard to see my hero lose his independence, and memories. I am so thankful for him and am thankful God will restore what was lost soon. Dear ERB. I am sorry, I should be asking you if you needed time off. How are you dear friend. I have prayed for you throughout the days, I am thankful for you and our time in Isaiah, I can’t believe we are on Chapter 55 already. Love this chapter and the call to those who are thirsty and have nothing to eat to come. Our God is the One who satisfies. Love Isaiah 55:6-7. He is faithful. Hoping your day is much beauty and joy sweet ERB. Hope it is okay to take the weekend. I have good news I am taking time off of work and get to see my Mom and Dad next week and my lovely Daughter and Baby Grand daughter after that. Please pray for my sweet older Granddaughters they have been in Colorado for a while and because of a custody battle I have only seen them once. Pray they know both their parents love them and that God work out the mess of things so that there is peace in these hard things for my girls who so need His peace and love. Miss them so. Thanks ERB and forgive all my rambling my Sisters. I am too long winded today.
Churchmouse, we miss you. Please let us know that you’re OK.
Mari, I love that you check in on Churchmouse. I think of her and miss her words here too. And Tina!
I also miss churchmouse and would love to hear from her again and know she is okay.
LOVED “How Nahum Fits Into the Story: The book of Nahum provides a view of a powerful and just God who maintains His absolute moral standards, while offering hope to those who are despised and downtrodden. Nahum’s message teaches us to trust in God, even when our situation seems hopeless, and reminds us that God will stand with those who belong to Him.”
…and I also loved how today’s scriptures showed us just how powerful, just, loving and faithful our God is!!! SO very GOOD!!!
Here are the verses that stood out to me:
Nahum 1:7-9
Samuel 22:4
Luke 1:72-75
I am praying for ALL of you dear sisters and each of your requests spoken and unspoken… May we each hear God clearly, take comfort in His infinite wisdom & timing, and be comforted that HE is in control..all we have to do is abide!
MAURA, dear friend, I found Isaiah 55 to be a breath of air and encouragement that I didn’t know I needed… as I was reading I felt like I was experiencing the fulfillment of a promise, a long awaited promise. My heart is so full and SO encouraged!!! Such an awesome experience and time with God this morning.. We are God’s splendor!! And He wants us eating and drinking from HIM so that we are never hungry or thirsty again! And my soul is full & satisfied!! …Anything that is NOT of Him cannot and will not survive. Let us go out with JOY and thanksgiving!!! God fulFILLS us UTTERLY & COMPLETELY and He finds JOY in restoring us!!! And so should we!!! ❤️❤️❤️
May God be with each of us today…and may we all experience a personal/intimate form of fulfillment through Him and by Him. Amen!!
“What temporary and earthly refuges have failed you? How is God superior to them?” — definitely, 100% the American church. And… that makes perfect sense, since the church is full of flawed humans. And, well, God is superior. Period. But oh! How I wish our churches could do better… and me, too.
The temporary refuge that comes to mind in this moment that I feel has failed me is public schools. I have a rising 2nd grader and a preschooler. Our district has a political agenda that is completely contrary to God’s word. This is not a knock on teachers. I am a former public school teacher. This is me feeling discouraged by what is creeping into the curriculum slowly but surely. I am homeschooling next year. Prayers appreciated. God is in control. He will bring justice.
God is in control. We have many teacher friends and family….we chose to homeschool our three last year and will continue for this exact reason. I am grateful for the opportunity to get this precious time with my kids. Before I know it they’ll be grown and gone.
MUNCHKIN, KAREN S, FOSTER MAMA, TRACI GENDRON, MELANIE, VICTORIA E and others – praying for needs and requests as I read through each day’s comments.
Loved seeing the source of at least 2 songs in today’s readings.
Thank you, Searching! How are you doing?
Dear SRT sisters, exciting update…I got the full time job I applied for! I will be moving back to the town my college is in at the beginning of August. Definitely feeling a couple different emotions…excited and nervous. Still need to process it, but I’m praying that this is what God desires for me…and that I would be able to determine if I want to get a masters in elementary ed. I’m shifting from what my major was, which kind of bugs me sometimes when I tell others. But such is the way God works sometimes…I’m glad I majored in wildlife biology, but I think I needed the time to recognize what I want to do. Praying I would have clarity and that I would get some experience around teachers to help me decide. Thankfully I have to work 6 months for my job before they can pay for the masters, so I have time to decide. My first full time job!! Crazy, but glad I will be rooming with friends I know and am familiar with my college town. :) love you all!
Sarah D- congratulations on your new job! I have a good friend who was a wildlife biologist and now teaches 5th grade…she has been such a gift to her students and families. I just retired from 32 years of teaching 4th & 5th graders…it is truly a ministry. I will pray that God shows you what He has in store for you. We need more good teachers!
SarahD congratulations!!
KAREN S- that IS so hard… prayers for you and your MIL and family… And I hope you will be able to see it as more than just “being who He wants you to be”- but being who He has/is equipping you to be. He doesn’t give marching orders and send you out into battle alone… He goes with you. He’s with His child whom He loves and has to watch deteriorate with dementia, AND He’s with His child whom He loves that is going to carry His love to His other child on His behalf. It won’t make it easier- the job is hard. It just is. BUT- it’ll make it worth it. And it’ll hopefully bring a new tenderness and perspective into your heart and mind that you would never have had the opportunity to gain otherwise…
You’re so loved!!!! Remember- He also encourages us to find rest and find solitude on a regular basis. I hope you will be able to prioritize that and have it scheduled out for yourself on a consistent basis. :)
@Foster Mama I totally get that. God is such a sweet Father and He knows that we are all broken vessels. I pray that everyday He would affirm to you His nature and how big He is, and how he is monumentally bigger than any mistake we make. He is powerful, He loves you, and He loves His little ones even more than You do. Be encouraged and know that I am praying for you. Your tender spirit and your heart for God’s little ones is such a blessing. Keep up the good work.
HEIDI-Your words are helpful for my weary soul. We are moving in with my MIL due to her dementia. It. Is. So. Hard. Praying He helps me to embrace it all with His eyes, His filters, His grace. Prayers are coveted that my perspective changes quickly and I can be all that He wants me to be. ❤️
Thank you all for your prayers for me as I met with my daughter this week. It was a good rebuilding first step toward relationship with her. She knows I love her and I know that she loves me too. We have been through a lot together, just the two of us, and I know she thinks about that. However, I also came away feeling very sad for her, and wising that I could just fix it all. Her choices are taking her down some hard paths, and its so heart-breaking to see your child going so far in the opposite direction, away from truth and toward lies and the Enemy’s deception. I came away feeling hopeless…but of course I know that nothing is too hard for the Lord. And so I will continue to lift her up every day. I am so grateful that I serve a God who is greater than any evil in the world, and that He loves us enough to pursue us even in our rebellion and to welcome us back with open arms. Thank you, ladies, for your faithful prayers.
Laura, thank you for the privilege to pray for you and your daughter. I want to fix the situation with my daughter as well. The Lord showed me that I cannot take credit for the good in my daughter so why do I try to take the blame for her choices? I will continue to pray for both of you. ♥️
Good morning Sisters,
I have a prayer request for the state of my heart/mind. I grew up with a poor distinction between pridefulness and confidence…as such, in learning to be “humble” all my life, I instead have low self-esteem, am OFTEN self-depricating and frequently feel guilt.
We are in the midst of a situation where the outcome seems SO, so “yucky” and I fear truly hurting a child involved…we (our entire support system) have lifted it up in SO much fervent prayer, such that we all agree God’s will is being and will be done despite the “wrong” from others and me…but still. (I want desperately to simply say “But God” but I’m in a “but still” spot.)
The enemy KNOWS it’s hard for me to accept “God’s will” when I feel I have any hand…”If only I had said / not said…done / not done…was / was not”.
I think of Jonah while on the boat: in the end God’s will was done and no lives lost but, the poor crew lost so much cargo because of him. Does that analogy make sense?! :) There are HUGE great things in the situation but, I’m so sad for the big things that have been lost…for which I blame myself and which tend to plague me most if I’m woken in the middle of the night.
Please pray for me to hear Jesus most clearly in my life and that I can shake off any heaviness that doesn’t come from Him.
Any advice is welcome. Prayer is requested.
Much love to you ❤️ all.
Thank you, Heidi, Ariana and Kelly for sharing. HEIDI—-yes yes! I too so often look for comfort. Thank you for your insight and encouragement. I’m home with my two littles and it’s often through their messiness/challenges that God is teaching me. Help me, Jesus, to view them through your grace and love and be your light in their lives and not be so focused on control or perfection. Love and hugs, sweet sisters. Grateful for you all.
1.sadly everything fails, parents, kids, spouses, health. God is the same yesterday today and forever. His love is unconditional which is crazy to me and His grace is new everyday. 2. Judgement will come for those who defy God. I pray for the lost in our world to come to know our Jesus. *Dr. appt was uneventful. Surprisingly he was not quick to do surgery. Even though on e test shows the problem he would like me to get more test done. So praying for Gods faithfulness to me for my pain and my ultimate healing. He is my refuge and my strength
What stood out to me from the passages today was how God rescues us from our enemies. I think sometimes our “enemies” are very similar to our earthly refuges or satan uses our earthly refuges to try and pull us away from God. For sooo long my earthly refuge was being in a relationship. I felt lost if I didn’t have a boyfriend or was talking to a guy. Now while I still desire to be in a relationship, I desire to be walking in God’s will for my life even more. This season of singleness has been molding me and shaping me into going to God for comfort and security instead of another human. How thankful I am that He fights for His children and will go to such great lengths to bring His children back to Himself <3 I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Great insight this morning.
I have spent a lot of time in my life seeking the refuge of security and like Heidi, comfort. From people, to materialistic things, to food, and so on. I am often reminded to seek Him in this things that are just plain hard. He is my greatest security and comfort and I’m so thankful for that reminded this morning.
Happy Friday all!
The biggest earthly refuge I search for is basically comfort. In all kinds of forms, but that’s what it is. It’s detachment from distractions, difficulties, life’s interruptions and “annoyances”. But it’s in the interruptions and annoyances that most often He’s trying to work in/on us. It’s an opportunity to look at the enormous contrast between the life I’m often pursuing and the life He’s called me to. If i can embrace the annoyances with the filter of His grace and love, it will change my perspective to see the beauty in living out His redemption story. It makes me WANT to lean into the messiness of this life in order to BE the comfort to someone else instead of always be searching for it for myself.
Yes!! So good
Amen, sister! Thank you for your wise and insightful perspective!
Yes, this is well written and comfort is my refuge as well. Thank you, Heidi.
Amen Heidi!!! I feel the same way- I seek various comforts / distractions as a way to manage my anxiety and what I need to do all the time is make the Lord my refuge. Thank you for sharing!
Amen! Mic drop! If I instill only one thing I my heart and brain from this entire study, I hope it’s this.
Amen Kelly Amen
1. The refuge of “family” has failed me. There instead of the safety a child should have, there was evil and chaos. BUT GOD…He is the one who has brought me to a new family and gives me compassion to love the old one. He is my Shield and Fortress.
2. God offered Ninivah the chance to turn to Him. They repented with Jonah’s warning but returned to their evil ways. God continues to call sinners to Himself but that won’t last forever. His wrath will fall and He will end the evil in this world. In the meantime, may I be His ambassador, showing what His kingdom is like to those who do not know.
God, my Rock, my Refuge. He is a jealous and avenging God. Slow to anger, but He will destroy His enemies. Instead of serving Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all my days, I seek refuge in my phone, by keeping things in my control, or I think I don’t need refuge and can solve it by myself. Too often I don’t understand that because of this God’s anger burns against me. Only because He poured out His wrath on His Son, I can now say, the LORD cares for those who take refuge in Him. My Rock, my Refuge, my Savior.