August 3rd
Today’s Reading: Nahum 1–3, John 5
Scripture Focus:
“The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”
— Nahum 1:3, 7 (NLT)
“All this because Nineveh, the beautiful and faithless city, mistress of deadly charms, enticed the nations with her beauty. She taught them all her magic, enchanting people everywhere.”
— Nahum 3:4 (NLT)
Devotion
Nahum’s very name means “comfort” or “consolation.” That’s no coincidence. His prophecy came as a word of comfort for God’s people, Judah, who were being crushed under the brutal Assyrian empire. Nineveh, Assyria’s capital, was known for its unimaginable cruelty—torturing prisoners, enslaving nations, and spreading idolatry like a plague.
But what stands out most about Nahum is how he begins—not with Nineveh’s sins, but with a breathtaking vision of who God is.
- Slow to anger – Patient beyond measure, yet not indefinitely.
- Mighty – The mountains melt before Him, the seas dry up at His command, and the earth trembles in His presence.
- Just – He will never leave the guilty unpunished.
- Good – A refuge for all who trust Him, close to His people when trouble comes.
This prophecy was given between 663 BC and 612 BC, more than 100 years after Jonah. In Jonah’s time, Nineveh had repented, and God held back His wrath. But over time, they returned to their wickedness—this time even more violent and arrogant than before. This is the pattern of sinful human nature: without surrender to God, no matter how good a start we have, our sinful nature will pull us back into rebellion.
This is more than Nineveh’s story—it’s the story of humanity. James 4:4 says, “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?” Without full surrender, we drift back into enmity with Him.
And perhaps Judah also needed this reminder. They had been living under Assyria’s oppression, likely feeling abandoned or powerless. So Nahum begins by reorienting their gaze: Look to your God—He is powerful, He is just, and He has not forgotten you.
Digging Deeper
- “Slow to anger” (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, erekh appayim) – Literally “long of nose,” an ancient Hebrew idiom meaning it takes God a long time to “heat up” in anger. It paints a picture of God’s patient restraint, giving space for repentance.
- “Refuge” (מָעוֹז, ma‘oz) – This word implies a fortress or stronghold—not just a hiding place, but a place of secure, unshakable protection. God isn’t simply a shelter; He’s an unassailable fortress for those who trust Him.
Lesson for Me
When life feels like it’s ruled by people or systems stronger than me, I need to lift my eyes to the One who melts mountains and calms storms with a word. He is both just and good. He will not let evil go unpunished, and He draws near to those who trust Him.
Application Questions
- Where in my life do I need to shift my focus from the “Ninevehs” around me to the greatness of God?
- Am I surrendered to God, or am I living in partial repentance—like Nineveh did after Jonah?
- How does knowing God as both just and good change the way I view the injustices I see in the world?
Prayer 🙏
Lord, You are mighty, slow to anger, and full of goodness. Thank You for being my refuge when trouble comes. I confess that, like Nineveh, I often fall back into my own ways when I don’t stay surrendered to You. Forgive me. Help me to trust in Your justice, to rest in Your goodness, and to remember that You are always near to those who call on You.
Now sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him to reveal where you have trusted in yourself or the world instead of Him. Listen for His voice. Journal what He speaks to you today.