Sermon Central
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Everyday Prophets - Nahum Series
Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 11, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever been the victim of someone stronger? Have you ever felt defenseless? Have you ever had someone come to your defense?
Everyday Prophets – Nahum
February 14, 2021
Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever been the victim of someone stronger? Have you ever felt defenseless? Have you ever had someone come to your defense?
Story of being bullied in high school and my dad rescuing me.
Nineveh was a city of 120,000 people in what is now modern-day Mosul, Iraq.
The Assyrians had the first sitting army.
There was plenty wrong with the Assyrians. They were barbaric, trained in terror and bent on world domination.
Nahum 1:7-8 NIV
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him 8 but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.
And then, a direct message from God to Israel …
V. 13 Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”
Who’s an enemy?
Someone who intentionally causes you harm without repentance – someone who doesn’t want you to thrive.
All of us have had enemies. It’s true that we can do little ourselves to change the hearts of our enemies, but we have complete power to change our own hearts. 400 years earlier, David wrote about enemies in a most unusual way.
Psalms 23:5 NIV
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
The most common teaching of this passage refers to God blessing us and providing for us in front of our enemies to show His favor on us as his followers.
God wants to do more than just taunt our enemies; He wants our hearts to be free.
Free from what?
Free from fear.
Fear is a powerful motivator but an awful master.
Israel had been crippled with fear.
The Assyrians were living rent-free in their minds.
Sometimes, fear of what may happen causes us greater harm than what actually happens.
Nahum reminded them that God was their protector.
Free from offense.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
God sees it.
God’s just.
God will act.
Luke 23:34 NIV
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them …”
We can overcome fear and forgive our enemies, because Jesus did!
