King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Wednesday, August 04, 2021
Chapters: The Book of Nahum
Message: The Shame of A Nation
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today, the Star-Spangled Banner popped up in my head. The poem was written on September 14, 1814, by Francis Scott Key, one day after the US won a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. Inspired by the sight of the American flag, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying over Fort McHenry the morning after the bombardment, he wrote these words. [O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light. What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?]
Every American ought to know the Star-Spangled Banner, after all, it is our national anthem. Did you know that there are four verses to the song? This is the last verse, [O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation! Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land, Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.]
I always say that America is a shadow of Israel, as I believe it was founded by God, which also happens to be Israel’s closest ally. However, it has fallen by the wayside, and if it does not get its act together, including their support of Israel, it will be judged. Right now, God is giving us a warning, [Matthew 12:25b Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:]
The Book of Nahum contains three chapters, the author is Nahum and it was written to the people of Nineveh. The timeline was about 660BC. The purpose of the book was to warn them of the coming judgment, after they fell away from God. What we are to learn from the book is that God hates and avenges all evil, [Nahum 1:12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.]
Nineveh, was saved from destruction when God made it an appoint to send Jonah there to warn the people of the judgment upon them. Immediately they turned away from their idols and set their sights on God. Sadly, it did not last, and here we are a hundred and fifty years later, and they are facing judgment again. Nahum describes God’s anger, judgments, power, and who is able to stand before Him in His anger
[Nahum 1:1-3,6-9 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth 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 hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in 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 strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. 8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. 9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.]
[affliction shall not rise up the second time.] Remember, God’s mercies do endure, but they can run out even for the saved soul that continues to live in sin. Think about it, Jesus has given us eternal life, and while we will all stand before Jesus to give an account for what we did, our judgment will be based on what we did for Jesus after we were saved. Since we can never do anything to lose our salvation, our judgment for sin comes right now. If we are sincere in our faith and have some sin that we are working to overcome and are repentant, then we can come to God all day long confessing it and He will forgive us. However, if we are not, that suffering we face would really be unbearable unless we repent, even to the point that God will send us home before our time so that we could no longer hurt ourselves, [Hebrews 6:4-6,9 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.]
Nahum, has a question that all of us who are faithful to God have, “Who in their right mind would go against God, who saved them? And while this message is addressed to Nineveh, it is also addressed for someone else, [Nahum 1:11-15 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor. 12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. 13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. 14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. 15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.]
[Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.] This message was actually aimed at Judah back when God had delivered them from Assyria during Hezekiah’s days. And now Assyria is attacking Nineveh, and warning Judah that He will do the same to them if they do not repent. There will come a day when every soul will stand before Christ. Who exactly is able to stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Only those whom have sincerely accepted Him as their Saviour. The pain and affliction that we face, which is caused by our own sin, will not last, there will come a day when even sin will be no more. Praise God! [Revelation 21:4,7-8 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
God made it clear when He sent Jonah to Nineveh that He wants every nation to be saved from judgment, but just like He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin, He will destroy any nation for theirs. God gives so many warnings for repentance to avoid the consequences of such drastic judgment, that is why Jesus has not returned yet today. However, there does come a time when there is one final warning for that nation, which is what He was doing with Nineveh. God was merciful to spare them the first time, but they took that for granted, trusting that He would always be there for them, regardless of their obedience. Well, God will not be mocked, He mercy will run out eventually for those who refuse to repent. As Nahum continues, God is telling Judah here that they need to get ready because judgment is coming to them as well, even though He will not destroy them.
[Nahum 2:1-2,5-8,13 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. 2 For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches. 5 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. 6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. 7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. 8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. 13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.]
[watch the way, make thy loins strong,] It does not matter if we are saved from the judgment, we must always be ready, and watching because Jesus will come as a thief in the night, [Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.]
Our once, God protected His nations, but they have forgotten their God, they are strong, cruel tyrants. They have no regard for what they are doing, no remorse, no shame, no guilt, oblivious to the judgment cast upon them. Yes, God is a loving and merciful God, but He is also a just God, and will destroy sin, even if that means wiping out an entire nation. The sins of Nineveh were charged, called out by God Himself, and now they were about to be judged for them to their own shame.
[Nahum 3:5-7,18-19 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame. 6 And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock. 7 And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee? 18 Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them. 19 There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?]
[and the kingdoms thy shame.] Do you know what a mockery our nation looks like since Biden took office? Proud sinners create enemies within themselves, and if God sees fit to expose their sin, no one will have compassion on them, and they will bring themselves to their own shame and destruction. Yes, we are saved by grace, but it is not a free pass to live in sin expecting God’s blessings and protection. If our nations refuse to heed the warnings, and continue in their sin, God will take them out one by one. As long as we are faithful, and repentant, God’s mercy will endure until He brings us home. We are to never take His mercies for granted, and live our remaining time on earth to do what is pleasing to Him. Are we always going to please Him? No. And we will face suffering for it. Are we always going to suffer? No. And if we live our remaining time on earth being faithful to God, the suffering will be less, [2 Timothy 2:11-16 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.]
Jesus Christ Magnified: [Nahum 1:12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your mercy and grace that saved a sinner like me when I trusted in Your Son as my Saviour. I know that I am forgiven of all my sins, past, present, and future because You no longer look at me through me, but through Your Son. You promise to never leave nor forsake me no matter what I do, and that I am saved forever no matter how many times I mess up. Lord, I do not want to sit idle, living anyway I please, without any regard for the great sacrifice You made to set me free from my sin. I want to be honorable and respectable in Your eyes, even if everyone else shuns me or mocks me for living to please Your. Lead me and guide me, give me Your power, strength, wisdom, mercy, grace, patience, and guidance to be the righteous instrument You need me to be so the lost can see You and be saved too. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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