Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Nahum 1:12-15
Thus says the Lord,
“Though they are at full strength and many,
they will be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more.
And now I will break his yoke from off you
and will burst your bonds apart.”
The Lord has given commandment about you:
“No more shall your name be perpetuated;
from the house of your gods I will cut off
the carved image and the metal image.
I will make your grave, for you are vile.”
Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
I would venture to say that most individuals like you and I do not enjoy the responsibility of sharing bad news. Whether having to share devastating news to your friend or family, being the bearer of bad news is sad. On the contrary however, everyone is a fan of bearing good news! From sharing the news that you and your spouse are expecting a child, to sharing the news that gas prices have dropped in the city, the excitement that comes with being the bearer of good news is awesome, and we all want to be messengers in getting that good news out to others.
The prophet Nahum is given the call to proclaim the words of the Lord to two different groups of people. He was called to proclaim judgment to the people of Nineveh who were far from the Lord (V.1-11). Nahum then proclaims good news to the people of Judah that God has got them, that He is on their side, and that He was going to destroy the people of Assyria because of their wickedness (v.12-15).
Nineveh was the capital city of the pagan Assyria and was known as being a thorn in the side of God’s chosen people, as God used the Assyrian army to chasten Judah in the midst of their disobedience. However, God had chosen to relent from his chastisement, destroy the people of Nineveh, and heal his own people! Isn’t that great news? The people of Judah had something to celebrate, for the God of the universe had not left them to their pain and hurt. God chose to make a way out for the people of Judah, and Nahum was able to share that great news with them.
Friend, did you know that we too have some good news to share? The Bible says that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed good news! The fact that our Creator chose not to just let us die in our sins and face eternal separation from him in hell, but made a way back to Him because of His love. He did this by sending Jesus Christ to shed his blood on the cross so that anyone who chooses to believe in Him can be made right with Him. Jesus came to rescue mankind! That is GREAT NEWS!
The Bible calls for us to be the bearer of good news to that neighbor, that friend, that co-worker. We have the news that in Jesus there is hope for the hopeless; that in Jesus there is satisfaction for the thirsty soul; in Jesus there is eternal life! Aren’t you glad that someone was a bearer of good news to you? May our love for others and our desire to share this great news supersede our fear of rejection and our laziness. May the reality of the destiny of those who are lost and our love for God motivate us to be bold and to share the good news!
The question this morning friend is will you choose to be a bearer of Good news? Choose to be a Nahum, who answered the Lord’s call to share the good news with his people!
Romans 10:15- And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Lord, thank you for your love for me. Help me to be a bearer of the Good News of Jesus Christ to those I come in contact with. Motivate me to choose to be a witness every day of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
VERSE FOR TODAY:
Psalm 145:8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.