It's Not About the Great Fish

 Nahum 1:3, 7  The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. … The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

            Growing up the most I recall learning about Nineveh was in the context of Jonah’s story. And of course, as with most young folk the interest was always focused on the “great fish” part of the story. What I have learned in an historical context about Nineveh is that it became or once was the great capital of ancient Assyria. Other cities (e.g., Asshur, Calah) were also consider capital cities but Nineveh became historically significant when King Sennacherib made Nineveh his capital. Nineveh was located within the fertile plain of the Tigris River and was a most desirable location. It was a city so large that it required a 3-day journey to cross through it (Jonah 3:3).

            Nineveh initially listened to the prophet Jonah and repented. Yet once again they had relented to their former sinfulness and iniquity. Now it would be Nahum to bring the news of their final consequences. You see, the book of Nahum isn’t about the great fish. The book of Nahum reveals a truth that is well for us to heed today.

            God is slow to anger, yet he will not tolerate sin and rebellion. He will not ignore the guilty. There will be severe consequence of judgment for those who refuse to heed the warnings.

            Yet there is hope and good news; there is always hope. God is good. He is our refuge in times of trouble. He truly cares for those who put their trust in him. It was Jesus himself who commended Nineveh for repenting at the warning from Jonah; yet Jesus also condemned the Jewish leaders for ignoring His own message (Matthew 12:41). That message is abundantly clear:

The way of sin is destruction.

The way of Jesus Christ is salvation.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Remind us that what was true 3000+ years ago is still true today. Forgive our sinfulness and failings because we know you will not let the guilty go unpunished. We humbly thank you for your infinite mercy, and we acknowledge you as our source of strength and comfort in the midst of life’s challenges. Truly you care deeply for us.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

The devotional It’s Not About the Great Fish appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com