THE LORD SPOKE (December 23)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Nahum 1-3

That which Jonah longed for was accomplished in the days of Nahum, some 150 years later. Jonah wanted to see Nineveh judged for her sins, which were many. Instead, God brought about the repentance of Nineveh through Jonah’s preaching. At least temporarily. In his own words to God, Jonah didn’t want to preach to them because he “knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (Jonah 4:2). He wanted God to rain down fire and brimstone on Nineveh and He didn’t. Instead, He let them repent and then He forgave them.

But God’s patience has a limit. He is “slow to anger” (Nah. 1:3) but look out when He does finally take vengeance! The very earth trembles. He controls all the elements. At His command, even rocks shatter. Just read Nahum 1:3-6!

If you go there today, Nineveh is a tangle of weeds and broken down stones. The only evidence of life to be seen is the goat droppings scattered over the surface or an occasional lizard that scurries past. For three full chapters, Nahum describes what happens when the Lord says, “I am against you” (3:5). Nineveh was crushed and has been only a vague memory for the last 2600+ years. People clapped for joy when Nineveh fell (Nah. 3:19).

Judah, though afflicted for her own sins (Nah. 1:12 - the NIV inserts are helpful here), stands in stark contrast. She will be restored (Nah. 2:2) to God’s favor and her former splendor. In fact, it’s happening today before our very eyes. The growth and development of modern Israel is the beginning of the fulfillment of just such prophecies. There’s a long road ahead. She has still not repented and received her Messiah but that too is part of the prophecies.

We may be sure the Lord will do it because He has promised. And herein lies the message for us. Just as God has promised to bless Israel, He will receive and bless those who trust in Him and follow his Word. Or, as Nahum says it:

The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.... (Nahum 1:7)


Proverbs 23

Back in the story of Samuel when he discovered and anointed Jesse’s youngest son, we’re told that “the Lord looks on the heart” (I Sam. 16:7). David was “a man after God’s own heart” (I Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22), one “who enjoyed God’s favor” (Acts 7:46) because his heart was right with God. He wrote, “You have filled my heart with greater joy” (Ps. 4:7).

Throughout the Bible, the heart represents the center of human emotions, thoughts, motivation, courage, and actions. Solomon warns:

Above all else, guard your heart,
For it is the wellspring of life. (Prov. 4:23)

Here in Proverbs 23 we have several key references to the heart from which we can learn much to give us direction on our way:

• Prov. 23:12 - “apply your heart to instruction” - There must be a conscious effort on our part. Apply means “to employ diligently or with close attention” (Webster). This is not something to approach lackadaisically.
• Prov. 23:17 - “do not let your heart envy sinners” - Again, this instruction calls for conscious effort. Since it’s natural to envy that which appears to be successful, we must consciously exert an effort in the opposite direction. The second half of the verse is instructive here: “always be zealous for the fear of the Lord”.
• Prov. 23:19 - “keep your heart on the right path” - This means choosing the right forks in the road and saying no to tempting rabbit trails. It means choosing your company carefully (Prov. 23:20) and not trading your birthright for a mess of pottage (Prov. 23:22-23).
• Prov. 23:26 - “give me your heart” - The second half of this verse and what follows tells us that the heart bone is connected to the eye bone. A significant part of giving our heart to the Lord has to do with what we allow our eyes to see! Guard the eye-gate carefully if you wish to be a man after God’s own heart.

Where’s your heart today?

Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.