THE LORD IS GOOD
Today’s Reading: Nahum 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Looking east from the Zion Gate towards the Mount of Olives you can see Jerusalem’s City walls. Perhaps Nahum had such walls in mind when he wrote that the Lord is “A stronghold in the day of trouble.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.
Anyone quickly reading today’s chapters may well assume that Nahum is only about judgment. Why? Because the theme is about the destruction of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, as a result of the evil of their rule. By consistent reading of the Scriptures, we would not jump to that conclusion; we would remember that 100 years before Nahum’s prophesies, Jonah preached in the streets of Nineveh, the entire city repented, and they were spared from disaster. Nineveh became the mightiest city on earth. In 1842 the city was excavated by archeologists, and they found walls 100 feet high and wide enough to allow three chariots to run abreast, as well as a moat 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep. Nahum predicted Nineveh’s destruction by an “overwhelming flood,” and 18 years later the Tigris river flooded, destroying part of the wall. The Babylonians invaded through this breach and Nineveh was destroyed, and its people subjugated.
Ten times in today’s reading the word “Lord” is found. While God is merciful and patient, justice for the nations must prevail sooner or later in time, and it is guaranteed in eternity. In chapter two, notice the word “excellence” repeated twice. God promises “excellence” to His people. Here’s the challenge to find this excellence! Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for excellence in all my ways. May I have the determination spiritually that the people of Israel were exhorted to have physically in their restoration. You are Good! You are my Stronghold in my time of trouble! You know me because I trust in You! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
[NOTE: This blog was originally written by David Mainse on April 17, 2016]
Here I am, 25 months past the date when it was predicted I would die of acute MDS leukemia. Sometimes I feel like a teenager again, filled with energy and positive thoughts for the future. “The Lord is GOOD!” In the days of trouble over the past four years, I quote daily that couplet I heard my father say, “Be my symptoms what they will, Jesus is my Healer still.” I’m very aware of another saying my dad said, “Man proposes, but God disposes!”
Yours for finding the reasons why God has put each one of us here on earth, and for fulfilling His purposes!!!
David
P.S. My son, Ron, showed me on his computer how you can take each day’s blog photograph location and get a 360 degree look all around the place where my other son, David Reynold, took the photos. If you haven’t tried it yet, click the “Google Maps” link under the photo and explore the area by dragging and dropping the little yellow man (located on the bottom right of the map). Then you will get the “street view,” and you can look all around by clicking the right or left arrows, which rotate the view.
Great teaching, today. You are still guiding us, David. Praying we are all seed sewers, and spreading the love of Jesus. Wishing all saints a blessed day.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 ESV
Holy Spirit – With Lyrics – Jesus Culture – Kim Walker-Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFByOX8Fb0M
Thank you for that wonderful video. I haven’t heard it for awhile now. So beautiful.
You are very welcome, Nan. I thought it was beautiful, too.
I have often wondered why I am here on this earth. What is my purpose for being here? I am 59 and I have yet to find out. How do I do that? I wish someone would tell me specifically why I am here?
Here for God’s Glory.
Here to be in relationship with Him.
Here because He made you unique -in The Body of Christ- for His Purpose, Will, and Way. [1 Cor.12:4-6]
Here because He Loves you, and He wants you to know Him and Love Him with all your heart.
Here so that “we can comfort those in trouble with the Comfort we ourselves received from God.” [2 For. 1:4] ….
Good to question;
Good to search.
Good to seek answers.
He is with you.
Amen Laurie!
You are here as a child of God, Vicky–a gift unto Himself. What a blessing!!
ask God; do the same questions with Him! write them out! begin to listen for the Holy Spirit to speak. As you hear different words; or maybe go some where for the first time, and see or hear different words, write them down; buy a scribbler at the $1.00 store and keep track, maybe not every day; but keep it handy and when a thought comes into your mind; jot it down;
I keep the envelopes that come in the mail with a letter or?? and I ripe them open and begin to write. I can’t afford to buy a scribbler and by reusing these envelopes that is recycling…..I can relate;
I get very discouraged at times and I also will admit; that I wonder why am I here? I find that singing in Gospel choirs helps me a lot also! one song, SOMETIMES IT TAKES A MOUNTAIN…SPOKE VOLUMES TO ME…..
i thank you for posting your question; you are the very best; you are not alone and praise the Lord you have started people thinking and talking! well done!
keep praying, asking God why?where?who?when?what?
He will answer you and we will pray for you….
keep us posted…..
the above is for you Vicky!
God is good to
us each day.
Song
Good Good Father.
Yes, good teaching every day from dear David Mainse and Ronand Ann’s help and photos from son Reynold. Thank you and thank you dear Beverlee. Love the key verse today and is a similar verse in Psalm 9:9-10.
amen Laurie and Ger
prayers PLEASE! hill is coming down behind my wall;
Need $$$$$ to fix; need engineers from City Hall to help fix this problem;pray they are understanding and helpful;
TY and Praise the Lord! 23 years smoke & alcohol free! TY Lord, I pray Lord You will help thousands upon thousands of others to quit these bad habits; give them swimming or some exercise like You did for me Lord, You gave me swimming! TY Lord
Great photo Reynold, thank you! Didn’t try doing the computer experiment on taking the day’s blog, etc.
Thank you for today’s interesting and informative comments by David.
Ron also for pointing out that this blog was written by David April 17, 2016. David’s positive thoughts and the Lord’s plans for David’s life, over the doctor’s pronouncement.