May 16, 2021
Sunday Sermon
God is Our Stronghold
Nahum 1:7-8
Introduction:
With so many enemies about, we wonder if we are on the right side. Is God really with us? We wonder sometimes why the wicked seem to prosper. Does God really care?
Can you remember when you were in a tornado or a storm in your house? You felt safe in the house and not in the storm. Your house became your stronghold. Well, if you looked at your house as a stronghold, what about God being our Stronghold in time of trouble. He is the One in control of the tornado and storm. Look at your neighbor and say, "God Is Our Stronghold!
What Nahum was up against in his day is little different than what we face today.
Author: Nahum was from Elkosh which possibly was Capernaum (“City of Nahum”). The northern kingdom had already fallen to Assyria in 72 BC and Nahum’s message (to Judah and Nineveh, the capital of Assyria) is about the coming fall of Nineveh. The book of Nahum has only three chapters.
Background:
Jonah had preached to Nineveh more than 100 years earlier and they had repented then but they have long since forgotten God and returned to their cruel ways. In Nahum’s day the city was at the height its glory.
Chapter one contains a magnificent description of the character of God (vs. 2-8) and in chapter two you can almost hear the noise of the battle describing Nineveh’s destruction. The Assyrians fell to the Babylonians in 612 BC.
Message:
The message of Nahum centers on God’s vengeance upon the impenitent. God’s mercy and slowness to anger is demonstrated in Jonah’s mission to Nineveh. But now in Nahum we see that a nation, city, or individual must bear the consequence of wickedness if it does not repent.
SERMON:
GOD IS OUR STRONGHOLD
(protection, safety net, refuge, provider)
I.
GOD’S PROVISIONS
v. 7
1. Nahum describes the awesomeness of God in v. 7. The Lord is good. We can be safe in His
stronghold.
2. A perception of God’s provision. “Does God make a difference when the bottom falls out?”
Let us look at Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
a. Even the youths grow tired and weary, and the young men stumble and fall.
b. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and be faint.
c. The contemporaries of Nahum were discouraged by their
apparent difficulties. But God provides.
II.
GOD'S PUNISHMENT
v. 8
A. The LORD will unleash His vengeance like an overwhelming flood. Put an end to Nineveh & to all others who rebel against Him.
1. He will put an end to all the plots against Him (v. 9).
2. He will put an end to all who cause trouble (v. 9).
a. They will be as helpless as a drunkard entangled in thorns (v. 10).
b. They will be burned like straw (v. 10).
c. He will put an end to the one who plots evil & counsels others to do wickedness (v. 11).
B. To Nineveh Nahum declared the awesomeness of God in Punishment.
C. God runs the show. He will hold men accountable for their sins and transgressions.
“PAYDAY SOMEDAY”
D. God is the Creator, the Provider, and the Judge.
Conclusion:
1. The awfulness of man is no match for the awesomeness of God (look at somebody and say
JESUS)
Nineveh and every wicked man will be swept up in the unfold purpose of God.
2. God punishes the wicked and provides for His own. Look at somebody and say
“HALLELUJAH” Look at somebody and say “GOD IS A PROVIDER, HE GAVE US HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON” In John 10, Jesus is the GOOD SHEPHERD, He is our door to salvation.
GOD IS OUR STRONGHOLD
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