Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Thursday after the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Nahum 1:1-14 (NKJV)

1 The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2 God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies;

3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.

4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

5 The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it.

6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.

7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies.

9 What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.

10 For while tangled like thorns, and while drunken like drunkards, they shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.

11 From you comes forth one who plots evil against the LORD, a wicked counselor.

12 Thus says the LORD: “Though they are safe, and likewise many, yet in this manner they will be cut down when he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more;

13 “For now I will break off his yoke from you, and burst your bonds apart.”

14 The LORD has given a command concerning you: “Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, for you are vile.”

Devotion

This prophet reminds all that though God is abundantly gracious and merciful He will not restrain His righteous judgment indefinitely. In Nahum, God is not only the Lord Who is good and knows those who take refuge in Him but also “will make a complete end of the adversaries.” God’s righteous and just kingdom will ultimately triumph, for kingdoms built on wickedness and tyranny must eventually fall. Proof of this is found in Nahum’s declaration of the universal sovereignty of God. God is Lord of history and of all nations; as such He controls their destinies.

The text stresses a moral indignation toward injustice, while focusing God’s people on the Gospel with the declaration of “Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” All who have their faith shaken as they watch the dark powers of this world triumph can draw comfort and strength from Nahum.

When you see the powers which ignore and derided the Lord, listen to Nahum boldly speak God’s answer to this dark agony, pronouncing His Word of promise to His suffering people. The Church can, in her dark hours, draw courage from this omnipotence of God and can hope confidently for the day when He shall set His King upon His holy mountain.

We pray: Lord, may we be comforted by Your Word, ever thankful to be called before You as Your elect now and in eternity. Taking comfort in Your power to fulfill Your promise of deliverance from this present darkness. Amen.

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