Romans 15:4 KJ21
For whatsoever things were written in times past, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4 ERV
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.
We live in a time of unimaginable deception and chaos. Because “information” is so prevalent, we probably live in the most truth-deprived generation in history. Our information age is an age of disinformation. There are many, many people literally trying to deceive humankind day and night. Wise people have had to become very discerning about what they listen to and who they listen to. Proverbs 4:23 says to watch over and guard our hearts because from it (our hearts) come the issues of life. You simply cannot listen to or watch just anything. And what you do watch and listen needs to filtered very thoroughly through Holy Spirit’s confirmation or lack of confirmation and common sense.
Fortunately, God has given us the source of eternal truth and information that is completely reliable. The Bible – the Holy Scriptures, God’s Word to the human race can be trusted to provide perfect, up-to-date information. In the verse above, the Apostle Paul instructs Christians that the Scriptures are for our learning. And they should bring us hope. I try to be very diligent about guarding my heart. If information doesn’t pass the “Holy Spirit sniff test” I just discard it. If it has caused me to be unsettled, I claim the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:27) and make it a point to forget it. Often if I hear something – troublesome or encouraging – I check with what I know to be true of the Word of God and the nature of God before I consider it reliable. Sometimes, researching the Word is necessary to get God’s heart and information on an issue.
Because the Bible has been around for so long, some might think that it is old news. It’s just an ancient, dusty tome that really isn’t relevant today. That has not been the experience of my life. For example, in the late summer of 2019, Holy Spirit prompted me to read the book of Nahum. Yes, Nahum. To be honest, in all my Bible reading I had never just read Nahum. So, I dug in and read it. I did some research on the book and looked at a Bible Project video on Nahum. To say my life has changed is an understatement. To make a long story short, Nahum prophesied to the Ninevites. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. The Assyrians, like almost every other nation of that time and this time we live in, was an extremely violent, brutal nation. About 150 years before Nahum’s prophesy, Jonah was sent to preach to them and call them to repentance. Many know Jonah’s story – in the belly of the whale until he finally agreed to obey God, etc… Well, he preached, and Nineveh repented. Unfortunately, then fell back into sin and degradation and God had to judge them. Nahum is God’s message to this nation right before He sent the Babylonians to crush them. Nahum 1:8,9 are verses that have become comforting in my life.
Nahum 1:8,9 NASB
But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of its site, And will pursue His enemies into darkness. Whatever you devise against the Lord, He will make a complete end of it.
Distress will not rise up twice.
I especially like the Amplified Classic version of these verses.
Nahum 1:8, 9 AMPC
8 But with an overrunning flood He will make a full end of [Nineveh’s very] site and pursue His enemies into darkness. 9 What do you devise and [how mad is your attempt to] plot against the Lord? He will make a full end [of Nineveh]; affliction [which My people shall suffer from Assyria] shall not rise up the second time.
Whatever is devised against the Lord, He will make a complete end of it. This was written to Nineveh. But who was influencing and driving the brutality and oppression of the Ninevite armies? Paul told the Ephesians that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers of the darkness. Same darkness, same oppression today. Same God who “makes a complete end of it.” Hey satan! Hey demon spirits! How mad is your attempt to plot against the Lord? He will make a full end of you!
I cannot overstate how much I have been eased, calmed, and encouraged by Nahum’s prophesy that God will end His adversaries. God loves and cares for humanity. What ever is or has been devised against His precious human race – He will make a complete end of it.
The rest of the book (Nahum 2, 3) describes how God was going to end Assyria. The reason He had to judge and destroy them, I believe, is found in the very last verse of the book.
Nahum 3:19 NLT
There is no healing for your wound; your injury is fatal. All who hear of your destruction will clap their hands for joy. Where can anyone be found who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?
So, 2019 came and went and then came 2020, 2021, 2022… Demonic activity continually. Cruelty continually. Loss of life, health, resources, relationships, businesses, jobs, livelihoods, educations, just to name a few. A pandemic, or so they say. And I am continually quoting “…the Lord will make a full end of all you devise against the Him and His human race satan. Get ready to be fully ended.” Father God had already prepared me, from His Word, to meet the challenge that began in late winter and early spring of 2020. I was ready and armed with the Word of the Lord from Nahum 1:8,9. And it completely changed my life to be so prepared.
Reader, there is nothing that we have to deal with or confront that God has not gone before us to prepare us. He gives insight from His Word. For any situation, patience, comfort and hope come from Papa God in His Word. Where is Truth? The Message Bible says the following in Romans 15.
Romans 15:4 MSG
Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.
God is never surprised by the twists and turns of our lives and we face nothing alone. Find the Truth to lead you in His word.