Don't Lose What Is Already Good

I have been reading and meditating on the book of Nahum for our time today. It’s a book that’s easily lost, often ignored, hardly known, difficult to find, seldom turned (pages crisp) - some even describe it as “a hymn of hate” (NAC). Book about judgment and destruction, but don’t quit there, there’s always a promise of restoration. The righteousness of God is so fundamentally potent that it is too intense for the minds of mortals to reconcile with the mind of His majesty. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). Praise be to God for His extravagant wisdom!

(Opening Prayer)

Yet another ancient literature. I wonder as I ponder on the text. What does the prophecy of an evil nation where judgment had been carried out have anything to do with today’s Christians? Christians who are churched. Christians who know the Word. What about - How does an OT prophecy apply to modern Christians whose self-identify is influenced by environment, experiment, and eminence. More on this later.

Nahum 1:2-8

2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;?   the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.? The Lord takes vengeance on his foes?   and vents his wrath against his enemies.

3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;?   the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.? His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,?   and clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up;?   he makes all the rivers run dry.? Bashan and Carmel wither?   and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

5 The mountains quake before him?   and the hills melt away.? The earth trembles at his presence,?   the world and all who live in it.

6 Who can withstand his indignation??   Who can endure his fierce anger?? His wrath is poured out like fire;?   the rocks are shattered before him.

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

8 but with an overwhelming flood? he will make an end of Nineveh;?   he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

I was moved to humbleness this week during our staff gathering at the Grove. The pastor for the deaf ministry took the platform and shared an encouraging devotional. I have attended conferences and services where someone stands on the side to sign. But for the first time in my Christian life, I was ministered to directly using sign language. He had an interpreter, on a chair, with her back towards the audience, holding mic on one hand while keeping her eyes on his hands, and interpreting each gesture into words so that the rest of us could understand. Never has the voice of silence been more powerful and uplifting - it was the voice of God.

Bible is God’s Word. Holy Spirit is our interpreter. Jesus Christ is the Living Word, our great teacher, counselor, and comforter. We are merely stewards of God’s Word. The experience with the deaf pastor inspires me to stay faithful, diligent and bold with handling God’s Word. That’s who we are - each of us. First students (study) - disciples (follow) - led to lead (Christ is our example), taught to teach (Apostles is our model) - and Christ became a ransom for God to purchase our souls which were destined for death. We are sinners made to be saints. As saints, we share in the good work of bringing the good news of a good hope that is in Jesus Christ so others may also hear.

Which is why I titled this morning’s lesson “Don’t lose what is already good.” In life we are easily caught up with the negatives that we often neglect the positive. The main thing we must not lose is the most important treasure from God - Scripture. Martin Luther said, “The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” Another good thing that we must not lose is the knowledge of the Bible that we all have collectively. D.L. Moody said, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” It’s not how much you know about the Bible. Knowledge without action is dead. In fact, 1 Cor. 8:1 says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”

As I think about our situation with ministry, I want to encourage everyone to remember the good things that we already have, identify what they are, even help each other discover the “diamonds in the rough” (having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish), nurture and build on it. Paul said in Ephesians 3:8 - “Through grace which was given, we declare the unsearchable riches of Christ.” The word “unsearchable” describes something that cannot be fully comprehended or explored, but we must pursue.

Ask God to give us eyes to see, wisdom to discern, and joy to rediscover. There are many good things that are in our midst. What we already possess is God, and His glorious work in His people, and the power we have together to accomplish greater purpose. These past 2 years may have created a deficit in attendance, irregularity in fellowship, missed opportunities for celebrations. If anything, the absence of normality enhances our priority on Christ. He who is Lord over His Church shall see us through in all circumstances. Let us not lose what is already good!