GOOD NEWS

 

Nahum 1:7 & 15 – I got good news -  Aug 22, 2009

 

Intro:  Well it is good to be back with you and this is the first service in our new season.  I believe with all my heart that this will be quite the season of growth and fruitfulness.

Today I am sharing from the book of Nahum as shortly we will close the studies on the Old Testament and begin the New Testament on our four year journey of going through the Bible.

 

Background

 

1.  Nahum as you see from your outline was a prophet that lived in Judah during the

     Reign of Jehoiakim.  He was a contemporary of Jeremiah.  Nahum was called to

     Speak to Assyria.  This book has been called a sequel to Jonah.  We learn here that

     The revival that happen in Nineveh under Jonah’s ministry was short lived and the

     Assyrians fell back into gross sin and idolatry.  They once again became proud,

     Arrogant and cruel.

 

a.  Nahum’s name means compassion or full of comfort.  He loved the nature, character

     And awesomeness of God. 

b.  Nahum was a prophet of hope.  He wanted his readers to know that those who trust in

     God will be preserved by His love.  

 

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.

 

1.  Nahum starts off by reminding his readers here and us, that God is good.  That God is

     Excellent, kind, virtuous, trustworthy, safe, adequate, abundant, sound, always does

     What is good to those He is in relationship with.  His character and nature are good. 

     This is a resounding statement to reminds us that in spite of what PR, the world, and

     The devil use.  God is good.  This is a resounding theme used in all the writings of the

     Bible.  God is good.

2.  Many believers ignore this book because they think that it has little application to

     Modern life.  Yet in these perilous and uncertain times, Nahum reminds us that God is

     Sovereign.  He has power over the most powerful nations.  Assyria was the powerful

     Nation of his day but Nahum reminds his audience and us that oppression, cruelty and

     Tyranny will be dealt with.  Those that do not trust God and resist Him will feel His

     Wrath.

3.  He reminds his readers, that God is a refuge in times of trouble.  He reiterates the

     Words of David written centuries before.  God is a refuge, a place of safety, a strong

     Hold and a place of victory.  Whenever trouble comes your way and it will, you have

     Three adversaries, to contend with, the world, the devil and yourself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.  When trouble, trials, bad circumstances come, God will be your refuge.  You can go to

     Him.  Remember He sees the whole picture, He knows what going to happen at the

     End and how it will turn out.  That is why Paul could write in Rom 8:28 that all

     Things work together for good.  God lives in the present future.  He knows that you

     Shall become. 

b.  He knew Gideon would become a mighty man of valour, He knew

     Daniel would escape the lions den, the Hebrew boys would burn rather than bow and

     They would escape the fire.   He knew Job would not curse or blame Him, He knew

     Noah would ride out the flood & that Jesus would rise from the dead.  He knows that

     If you go to Him, He will be a refuge in times of trouble. 

 

4.  Nahum then closes off this verse by stating that God cares for those who trust in

     Him.  Nahum outlines the struggle or tension of the ages.  God on one hand is just and

     Will avenge the oppression of His people and the poor.  Yet on the other hand He

     Cares for those who trust in Him. 

 

a.  Nahum points out that Assyria has sinned against God.  They had repented before but

     Because of their cruelty, gross idolatry they would be destroyed.  Nations built on

     Cruelty, arrogance and pride will be destroyed,

b.  Nahum knew that there is a limit to the patience of God.  He knew that Judah had to

     Be warned to turn to God, so he warned them as well.  He reminds them that those

     Who trust God will be cared for.  God is aware of your needs and situation. 

c.  Nahum in his introduction reminded his readers that God is slow to anger and great in

     Power.  God stated this reality in Exodus and again in Deuteronomy.

 

Look on the mountains, the feet of one that brings good news, who proclaims peace.

 

1.  This verse is made real by Gabriel in Luke 1:19, it was also quoted by Paul in 

     Romans.  This verse states those who bring the good news of peace have beautiful

     Feet.  Tell the person next to you.  You have beautiful feet.

 

a.  What is this good news, God and man are friends again, sin has been dealt with on the

     Cross, Jesus is Lord, satan has been defeated, you can have abundant life, you can be

     Healed, delivered, saved, sanctified, restored, forgiven, strengthened, encouraged and

     So many other things.

b.. One thing we must do as people who bring good news is know that Jesus will set

     People free and never give up bringing it to the whosoever. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nahum reminds us of these five truths.

 

1.  The Lord is good.

2.  He is a refuge in times of trouble.

3.  He cares for those who trust in Him.

4.  Those who bring good news have beautiful feet.

5.  We have a message of peace.