Finding Refuge in God's Justice and Protection
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we delved into the book of Nahum, a minor prophet who brings a message of both judgment and comfort. Nahum's prophecy is set against the backdrop of the Assyrian Empire, a brutal regime that wreaked havoc on the world and God's people. The Assyrians, despite their initial repentance in Jonah's time, returned to their violent ways, leading to their eventual downfall as prophesied by Nahum. The central question we explored is where we find comfort in a world filled with evil and violence. Nahum presents a divine warrior, a God who is both avenger and protector, who will ultimately eradicate evil and bring justice.
Nahum's message is a poetic oracle that oscillates between God's fierce judgment and His unwavering goodness. The divine warrior is depicted as a force so powerful that the cosmos quakes at His presence. Yet, this same warrior is also a refuge, a stronghold in times of trouble. This duality is crucial: God’s wrath against evil is an extension of His love and goodness. He is a jealous God who will not let His people stray, and His judgment is a means to restore peace and justice.
We also reflected on the personal implications of Nahum's message. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with news of violence and injustice, we are called to find our refuge in God. The imagery of the "lee of the stone" from the story of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH serves as a metaphor for God's protection. Just as Mrs. Frisbee sought safety for her family by moving to the lee side of the stone, we too must seek refuge in God, who is our rock and fortress.
The sermon concluded with a powerful reminder that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has taken on the wrath of God and provided a way for us to stand in the lee of the stone. He is our divine warrior who has conquered sin and death, offering us peace and refuge in a world of chaos.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Dual Nature: Avenger and Protector
- Nahum presents God as both a fierce avenger and a compassionate protector. This duality is essential to understanding God's character. His wrath against evil is not a contradiction of His love but an extension of it. God’s judgment is a means to restore peace and justice, ensuring that evil does not have the final word. [41:59]
2. The Divine Warrior's Victory
- The image of the divine warrior in Nahum is a source of comfort for those facing oppression and violence. This warrior will bring an end to all chaos and evil, not through human means but through divine intervention. This victory is not just for the people of Nahum's time but for all who trust in God. [40:35]
3. Finding Refuge in God
- In a world filled with fear and uncertainty, Nahum calls us to find our refuge in God. The metaphor of the "lee of the stone" illustrates that God is our stronghold, a place of safety amidst the storms of life. Just as ancient fortresses were built on rocks, our lives should be anchored in God’s protection. [43:46]
4. Jesus as the Fulfillment of Nahum's Prophecy
- Jesus embodies the divine warrior who conquers sin and death. Through His sacrifice, He has taken on God's wrath and provided a way for us to stand in the lee of the stone. His resurrection assures us that evil will ultimately be eradicated, and justice will prevail. [58:01]
5. Living Out Our Faith
- Nahum challenges us to live out our faith by trusting in God's justice rather than seeking our own vengeance. When wronged, we are called to run to the lee of the stone, relying on Jesus' example of sacrificial love. This act of faith not only honors God but also transforms our response to injustice. [59:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:18] - Opening Prayer
[31:10] - Reading from Nahum
[33:42] - Personal Story: Growing Up in the Shadow of the Bomb
[34:51] - Oppenheimer's Vision and Its Failure
[35:50] - The Question of Comfort in a Violent World
[36:37] - Nahum: The B-Side to Jonah
[38:13] - The Assyrian Empire's Brutality
[39:48] - The Divine Warrior: God's Judgment and Comfort
[41:20] - The Goodness of the Divine Warrior
[43:11] - God as Our Rock and Fortress
[45:00] - The Story of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH
[46:32] - The Dual Nature of God: Not Safe, But Good
[48:12] - God's Judgment as an Extension of His Love
[51:25] - The Necessity of Divine Judgment
[54:11] - Human Vengeance vs. Divine Justice
[57:01] - The Good News: Jesus as the Divine Warrior
[58:38] - Running to the Lee of the Stone
[01:00:40] - Living Out Our Faith in the Face of Injustice
[01:02:53] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Nahum 1:1-15
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of God as described in Nahum 1:2-3? How do these characteristics reflect both His judgment and His goodness? [31:10]
2. In Nahum 1:7, what does it mean that "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble"? How does this verse contrast with the earlier descriptions of God's wrath? [31:50]
3. How does Nahum describe the fate of Nineveh and its people in Nahum 1:8-9? What imagery is used to convey this message? [32:39]
4. What is the significance of the phrase "Behold upon the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace" in Nahum 1:15? How does this relate to the overall message of Nahum? [57:35]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Nahum's portrayal of God as both an avenger and a protector help us understand the dual nature of God's character? [41:59]
2. What does the metaphor of the "lee of the stone" from the story of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH illustrate about God's protection? How does this metaphor deepen our understanding of finding refuge in God? [45:51]
3. In what ways does Jesus fulfill the prophecy of Nahum as the ultimate divine warrior who conquers sin and death? How does this fulfillment provide comfort and hope in a world filled with chaos and violence? [58:01]
4. How does Nahum challenge us to live out our faith by trusting in God's justice rather than seeking our own vengeance? What practical steps can we take to embody this trust in our daily lives? [59:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the evil and violence in the world. How did you seek comfort during that time? How can Nahum's message of God as a divine warrior and protector change the way you seek comfort in the future? [35:50]
2. The sermon mentioned the dual nature of God as both fierce and good. How can you reconcile these aspects of God's character in your personal faith journey? How does this understanding impact your relationship with God? [41:20]
3. The metaphor of the "lee of the stone" was used to describe God's protection. What are some practical ways you can "run to the lee of the stone" in your life when facing challenges or fears? [45:51]
4. Jesus is described as the ultimate fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy, taking on God's wrath and providing refuge. How does this truth influence your view of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection? How can you live out this understanding in your daily interactions? [58:01]
5. Nahum calls us to trust in God's justice rather than seeking our own vengeance. Think of a situation where you were wronged. How can you apply Nahum's message to respond in a way that honors God and reflects Jesus' example of sacrificial love? [59:51]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of living out our faith by relying on God's justice. What are some specific actions you can take this week to demonstrate your trust in God's justice in your community or workplace? [59:51]
7. How can you support others in your small group or community who are struggling to find refuge in God amidst their own challenges? What practical steps can you take to encourage and uplift them? [43:46]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Dual Nature: Avenger and Protector
God's character is multifaceted, encompassing both fierce judgment and compassionate protection. Nahum's prophecy reveals a God who is not only an avenger of evil but also a refuge for those who seek Him. This duality is essential to understanding God's nature. His wrath against evil is not a contradiction of His love but an extension of it. God's judgment serves to restore peace and justice, ensuring that evil does not have the final word. This understanding helps us reconcile the seemingly opposing aspects of God's character and find comfort in His comprehensive care.
In a world filled with injustice and violence, it is reassuring to know that God is actively working to eradicate evil. His judgment is a means to an end—a restored world where justice and peace prevail. As believers, we are called to trust in this divine plan and find our refuge in God's unwavering goodness. This trust allows us to navigate life's challenges with the assurance that God is both our avenger and protector.
Nahum 1:2-3 (ESV): "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have felt wronged or witnessed injustice. How can you trust in God's dual nature as both avenger and protector in this situation today? [41:59]
Day 2: The Divine Warrior's Victory
The image of the divine warrior in Nahum is a powerful source of comfort for those facing oppression and violence. This warrior, representing God, will bring an end to all chaos and evil, not through human means but through divine intervention. This victory is not just for the people of Nahum's time but for all who trust in God. The divine warrior's triumph assures us that evil will not have the final say, and justice will ultimately prevail.
This concept is particularly relevant in today's world, where we are constantly bombarded with news of violence and injustice. The divine warrior's victory reminds us that God's intervention is both imminent and inevitable. It encourages us to place our trust in God's ultimate plan, knowing that He will bring about the end of all evil and the restoration of peace.
Isaiah 42:13 (ESV): "The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God's ultimate victory over evil? How can you find comfort in the assurance that God, the divine warrior, is fighting on your behalf? [40:35]
Day 3: Finding Refuge in God
In a world filled with fear and uncertainty, Nahum calls us to find our refuge in God. The metaphor of the "lee of the stone" illustrates that God is our stronghold, a place of safety amidst the storms of life. Just as ancient fortresses were built on rocks, our lives should be anchored in God's protection. This imagery helps us understand the importance of seeking God's refuge in times of trouble and trusting in His unwavering support.
The story of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH serves as a poignant metaphor for God's protection. Just as Mrs. Frisbee sought safety for her family by moving to the lee side of the stone, we too must seek refuge in God, who is our rock and fortress. This act of seeking refuge in God is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of our faith in His strength and protection.
Psalm 18:2 (ESV): "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Reflection: What are the "storms" in your life right now? How can you actively seek refuge in God and trust in His protection today? [43:46]
Day 4: Jesus as the Fulfillment of Nahum's Prophecy
Jesus embodies the divine warrior who conquers sin and death. Through His sacrifice, He has taken on God's wrath and provided a way for us to stand in the lee of the stone. His resurrection assures us that evil will ultimately be eradicated, and justice will prevail. Jesus' victory over sin and death is the ultimate fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy, offering us peace and refuge in a world of chaos.
This understanding of Jesus as the divine warrior helps us appreciate the depth of His sacrifice and the magnitude of His victory. It also provides us with a sense of hope and assurance that, despite the challenges we face, we have a Savior who has already secured our ultimate victory. This perspective encourages us to live with confidence and trust in Jesus' ongoing work in our lives.
Colossians 2:15 (ESV): "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the divine warrior who has conquered sin and death change your perspective on the challenges you face? How can you live in the assurance of His victory today? [58:01]
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
Nahum challenges us to live out our faith by trusting in God's justice rather than seeking our own vengeance. When wronged, we are called to run to the lee of the stone, relying on Jesus' example of sacrificial love. This act of faith not only honors God but also transforms our response to injustice. By trusting in God's justice, we can let go of our desire for revenge and instead focus on living out our faith through love and forgiveness.
Living out our faith in this way requires a deep trust in God's plan and a willingness to follow Jesus' example. It means choosing to respond to injustice with grace and love, even when it is difficult. This approach not only brings us closer to God but also serves as a powerful witness to others of the transformative power of faith.
Romans 12:19 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt wronged. How can you choose to trust in God's justice and respond with love and forgiveness instead of seeking revenge? [59:51]
Quotes
1. "Where do we go for comfort in a world of evil and violence? Where do we go? That's the question that the people are dealing with in Nahum's day. Now, Nahum was a little... He was a little-known prophet. He lived about a hundred years after Jonah. It's the reason why I paired these two together, even though it's a much later minor prophet by date. Jonah's kind of the A-side, and Nahum's kind of the B-side." [36:37] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Nahum knows the Lord's anger is against Nineveh. And though he is slow to anger, he is great in power. His ways are the whirlwind and the storm and the cloud and the dust of the sea. This God, this warrior God is fearsome. But he's good. Like Lewis's tale in the Chronicles of Narnia where Lucy, curious about Aslan, asked about the lion to Mr. Beaver. Oh, Mr. Beaver, is he safe? Oh no, Lucy, Mr. Beaver replies. He's not safe, but he's good." [46:32] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The second thing you should know about this divine warrior and his goodness is he knows those who take refuge in him. He knows those who rely upon him for sustenance and guidance, life and love. This knowledge, this word know, is more than mere acquaintance. It's intimate care, tender concern, loving communion. God knows us. And he still loves us." [47:21] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Redeemer, what are your thoughts about God's judgment, divine judgment? I think if we're honest, it can kind of goad us. Sometimes it's like that. We have a lot of these things called goat heads in New Mexico. It kind of pricks your skin. It makes you unsettled. It hurts. Why is that? We don't seem to have a problem with a God who is loving, who supports us, who is the lee side of the stone when there's trouble for us. But the idea of a God who executes justice through judgment on people, not as much." [48:12] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In a world of violence, we are faced with an inescapable alternative, either God's violence or human violence. Most people who insist on God's non-violence cannot resist using violence for themselves. They deem the talk of God's judgment a reverence, but think nothing of entrusting judgment into human hands, persuading God to do it. God's judgment is not unworthy of God's judgment. He's not persuaded, presumably, that this is less dangerous and more humane than to believe in a God who judges." [53:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Whenever you want blood, like some of you in this room have suffered, or your children have suffered, or family has suffered unspeakable things. You've been mistreated. You've been misjudged. People have conspired against you. You have enemies. What does Nahum say to you this morning as a word of comfort? What Our God is the destroyer of wrong. Our God is the destroyer of corruption. Against all thought of human vengeance, human pursuit of evildoers, Nahum emphasizes the avenger is the Lord. The avenger is the Lord. The avenger is the Lord." [55:51] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus' cross and tomb are the lee of the stone. Jesus is our shelter in a world of violence and in the face of God's judgment because though sinless, righteous, and good, he willingly subjected himself, to our injustice, perpetrated by his own people and the Roman state, dying on a cross. He took on our sin and God's righteous justice against sin in dying on that cross and being placed in an actual rock, a tomb. Jesus is the lee of the stone." [59:15] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you choose not to react when wrong has been done to you because of Jesus, you are running to the lee of the stone. When you choose to sacrifice and lay down your life, you are doing exactly what Jesus did. For He knows you and loves you. You're casting yourself on His patient mercy. You're casting yourself on the future hope that He will do away and He will judge all those powers that have stood against you. The Lord is our stronghold in our times of trouble. He is the lee of the stone." [01:00:40] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Jesus says, bloody ones, your endless cruelties enrage me, so I myself will be your end. I will make your grave my own grave. Jesus' death undoes even Oppenheimer's death. He is coming into the world to eradicate the world of evil. He is restoring all that's broken. He's doing that because He was broken to make the world whole again. He became sin to free us from our sin. He calls us to follow Him and bring life into the world. A life won by the divine warrior Himself. And we look to Him, trusting that all evil will give way to His justice and mercy because He's our Savior." [01:02:07] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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