GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS!
Read It
Nahum 1:7-8
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.”
Discover It
In our verse for today, the prophet Nahum pronounces doom upon the city of Nineveh. Remember that 150 years earlier, Jonah condemned this same city for their sin and violence. At that time, they repented, turned to the Lord, and were saved. By the time of Nahum, though, the city was worse than ever before. Notice that we are always only one generation away from totally losing faith in God. Every generation must follow God for themselves. Without repentance and revival, the sin that one generation hates, the next generation tolerates, and the third generation celebrates.
Ask It
1. Why must each individual follow the Lord for themselves? Why doesn’t God just save everyone all at once?
2. For a whole generation to be Godly, the individuals in that generation must decide personally to follow the Lord. Why does God emphasize a personal salvation?
3. In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus taught about the tendency of each generation to be worse than the one before. Do you think there is any way to stop this generational tendency in your family? (Hint: During the time of Jonah, the city of Nineveh was saved when they engaged in extraordinary repentance, radically turning again to the Lord. This is known as a revival or a spiritual awakening.)
Live It
1. Our Bible verse for today (Nahum 1:7-8) teaches that, “The Lord is good.” How does knowing that God is good help you to obey and follow Him? (Suggestion: Trust in the Lord, for He is good.)
2. Our Bible verse for today also refers to the Lord as, “A refuge in times of trouble.” What is a refuge? How is God a refuge for those who trust in Him? (Suggestion: Trust in the Lord for He is a refuge).
3. In our Bible verse for today, God pronounces destruction upon those who transgress against Him. This will come upon them like a flood; the Lord will pursue His foes into everlasting darkness. (Suggestion: This should motivate you to trust in the Lord and follow Him).
Pray It
The whole city of Nineveh repented during the time of Jonah’s preaching to them. They believed God’s message, proclaimed a fast, grieved over their sin, and cried out to the Lord. And then they prayed, “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:8-10)