“Your enemy is coming to crush you, Nineveh. Man the ramparts! Watch the roads! Prepare your defenses! Call out your forces! Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but He will restore its splendor.” (Nahum 2:1-2 NLT)
Ninevah was the “crown jewel” of the Assyrian nation, which was part of what is now Iraq. It was a city of luxury, wealth, prosperity, but also marked by evil, cruelty, slavery, and debauchery. Nahum’s prophecy was a warning, but was also a declaration of what happens when God’s warnings aren’t heeded.
You may recall the city of Nineveh was also of note in the book of Jonah, but rather than obeying God and preaching to the lost people of that very wicked city, he made haste to run from God. To no avail, of course, so, Jonah eventually did what God asked him to do, but rather than delight in the people’s positive response to Jonah’s message, he sulked and was mad at God.
Nahum’s very clear warning took place about 150 years or so after Nineveh’s “repentance” and turning from their wickedness and God’s warnings of judgment, indicating that after the generation that heard God’s call and responded positively, future generations failed to follow His directives, thus, once again became the center of God’s very negative attention.
What’s the lesson for us. Steven Furtick gives us a hint when he wrote: “Whatever God does next in your life will emerge from what you’re doing right now.” While I may have issues with some of Furtick’s teaching, I believe he’s on to something in this quote. Think about it. In Jonah’s prophecy related to Nineveh, the people were steeped in sin, living on the edge of a very slippery slope that had only one outcome – UNLESS! Unless they listened to God, repented, and turned from their sinful ways.
They did, and life was good until they slid back into their old ways. But note what happened then. The Lord didn’t send a Prophet to lead them out of their sin; He sent a pronouncement of judgment. For reasons God alone may know, He was finished with their rebellion. Where does that put us? It depends.
Are you walking with God or running from Him? Is your heart’s desire to please and honor Him or could you not care less? Time is short, it is literally RUNNING out (not crawling or walking slowly). The Apostle Paul said the Lord’s coming would “happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.”
What’s the clear, undeniable implication? When the end has come for us, there will be no second chances, no do-overs, no time to repent or express regrets, it will be time to answer for the life we’ve lived, not the one we wished we’d lived.
Where are you, my friend? Are you ready for the Lord’s return, realizing His “return” for you may come in this second, when your heart stops beating for any number of reasons. My mom literally dropped dead. She was reaching for her medicine and was gone before she could get it. Fortunately, my mom loved Jesus and will be waiting with Him when I arrive, but what about you?
What’s the Lord doing as He prepares for the next chapter of your life? Will it be repentance and life or continued ignoring of His warnings and death. I pray you know your sins are forgiven and you’re walking with Him, but if you’re not sure, please click this link and get things settled with God right now.
Waiting is over. It’s time for action!
Blessings, Ed
Walking With Jesus 