Chapter 1
From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor. (v.11) After a bit of studying, this is most likely talking about Sennacherib, one of the kings of Assyria. Who it is though isn’t what we’re concerned with today, but what he was known for. A worthless counselor. Harsh words we find in Nahum and this is only chapter one. See a counselor is someone who examines your situation, and gives advices to bring about a change that is needed (at least that’s a simple way of defining a counselor). Hopefully that advice leads to a positive change, but apparently that wasn’t the case with this “counselor.” To be able to carry the title of “worthless,” you must be horrible at what you do and that’s exactly the case here. He was one who plotted and planned evil against the Lord and led his people accordingly. The message I long for you to grab a hold of today is that anyone who is purposely leading others away from the Lord is a worthless counselor. The directions they are giving are changes not for the better. If you can examine your life and identify people who directly/indirectly lead others away from the Lord, I’d advise you to remove them from being a “counselor” in your story. We can still be connected to them to share the message of Jesus with them, but do not allow them to have a place of influence over you where they are able to guide you in your life. For if they aren’t following Christ themselves….why would you follow them? – Daily DEVO 72
And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart. Nahum 1:13 – For the original listeners this was God sharing with them that He was going to break the hold that an invading nation had over them. Freedom from the weight of slavery and persecution. We also see even deeper God sharing that the hold of our common enemy was going to be broken as well for them. We must remember that for those of us who have a relation with Jesus that God has already broken the hold the enemy had on us. Jesus’ death and resurrection shattered every hold the enemy had on you and you’re free from the enemy’s chains. If that’s the case, then why are we continuing to live like we’re still in bondage? Fearful, worried-filled, addicted, hateful, lazy, lustful, prideful. If we aren’t in bondage anymore to the enemy then we are stepping into these things all on our own freewill. That means though we are free to step out of them as well because of the freedom Jesus bought for you. Remember today you are free because of Jesus, don’t listen to the enemy trying to convince you otherwise. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 669
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. Nahum 1:7-8 – Nahum is a book directed to the people of Ninevah to make them aware of their coming destruction. Think of this as a sequel to Jonah because Ninevah’s repentance seen in Jonah didn’t last. The two verses chosen today sum up much of the message within this first chapter. God is a safe refuge for any who come to Him yet His power and wrath is unmatched toward those who turn to other gods. What we must remember today is the God we speak of and worship is this exact same God. For any today who choose to follow Him, Jesus then bears the wrath of God on our sin for us allowing us to find peaceful shelter and peace with the Father. Yet, for any who choose anything other than God to follow, nothing can withstand God’s power to protect you and save you from the wrath on your sin. Our only hope is Jesus, the Savior God provided so His wrath wouldn’t have to be poured out onto us. Have you chosen to find shelter in Jesus? Meaning have to chosen to follow Jesus and start a relationship with Him today? Allow Jesus to save you from your sin, bear the weight of God’s wrath for you, and to guide you into the loving arms are your Heavenly Father. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2100
Chapter 2
For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches. (v.2) While Nineveh sure seemed to be doing well, the people’s heart was not after God. So in the process of restoring His people, God also dealt with those who were not following after Him. This should be a huge source of encouragement for you who’s heart is after what God is after. This shows that God cares about the healing and restoration of His people. He desires those that are following Him to find the rest and victory they have been praying for and seeking after. Also this shows that God will deal with those that aren’t following Him. The people that trash Him, the people that abuse His followers, the people that mock His ways…the part of the world that doesn’t want anything to do with Him; God is going to deal with them. While right now the weight of the persecution can be almost too heavy to bear, God’s reminding us that victory and restoration is already ours and He is going to deal justly with those that are bringing down His message of Good News. This is not about God hating some people and loving others. This is about God taking care of the people that love Him and Him keeping His promise by dealing justly with those that don’t want Him. So don’t let the persecution that’s coming upon the Christian walk in today’s time weigh you down, God’s promise is to lift His people up and to deal with those bringing His people down. – Daily DEVO 74
Where is the lions’ den, the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion and lioness went, where his cubs were, with none to disturb? Nahum 2:11 – The lion here is referring to the might of the army that God is going against. And the question is begin asked where did your might go? Where did the place you thought was safe go now that God’s might is being shown? We see God pointing out that the people here had placed their trust in something that compared to God’s might was nothing. Has that been something you’ve done as well? What’s your lions den, the safe place you run to when things go bad? Is it able to protect you like you need it to? Compared to God’s power is it even anything at all? Be sure the might you are seeking protection in is God’s. Only in Him can we find the real protection from all things that come in life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 670
Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry, but none turns back. Nahum 2:8 – Nineveh is finally experiencing the wrath of God on their sinfulness. We see here how the city just scatters when God showed up. Like breaking the side of a pool in your backyard and the water rushing out, so where the people from the city. Some were crying, “stop and fight back,” but none listened because the power of God was so great. All the things they once found comfort and shelter in no longer offered anything because God’s power was greater. Their walls were nothing to God, their leaders were no match for God, and their armies were powerless against God’s armies. So which side do you really want to be on? We each have a choice to either continue walking in a manner where we’re the god of our story or we let Jesus have that role. Take from this passage that God isn’t playing games when it comes to who sits on the throne over His people. He has the power to dethrone anyone who takes His spot and He will use it. Make sure the throne of God has the right person sitting in it over your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2101
Chapter 3
All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs— if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. Nahum 3:12 – This verse sums up the poetic nature of this whole chapter. Your fortresses, the things you’ve been trusting in to save you up until now, will fall when God comes and shakes them. Their vast armies, their mighty kings, their incredible wealth, all will fall compared to the power of God. What would be the fortress you’d think of if God came to you like this a said your fortress will fall? Your self-earned righteousness? Your title? A relationship? Know God’s not here trying to be scary and hurtful, He just desires us to have Him as our fortress to run to. All others will fall when shaken, He though will stand forever. Why hide in something that could fall in on you when a permeant fortress is welcoming you in instead? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 671
Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them. Nahum 3:18 – A reading of this chapter showed the deep chaos that was to come on the land of Nineveh as a result of their stubborn pursuit of sin. In the midst of all that was to happen the people would be scattered with no one to lead them. Their leaders would be asleep, not ready to lead, support, and shepherd the people like they needed in their distress. Thankfully we have a shepherd who never slumbers. When our story is filled with distress we have a shepherd who is awake, ready, and strong to help us. You will never take a step where Jesus isn’t ready to guide you in. You will never go through anything where Jesus isn’t available to walk with you in. You will never find yourself alone in a season of distress because Jesus will always be with you. This is our good shepherd. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2102
Daily DEVO 