Nahum wrote a word of judgment against the capital city of the Assyrians, Nineveh. At the same time, he delivered a word of comfort to the Israelites who were oppressed by the Assyrians in Jerusalem.
The Lord is good,
a stronghold in a day of trouble;
he protects those who take refuge in him,
even in a rushing flood. Nahum 1.7
As we consider God’s promise of protection, what can we do to fully open our hearts to experience the Lord as our stronghold, especially in moments of profound trouble or despair?
God is not a vending machine that mechanically provides for our needs. Instead, He is our Heavenly Father who yearns for a relationship with us.
The best way to connect with the Lord and to understand His will is by communicating with Him through prayer and by consistently engaging with Scripture to listen to His voice.
One of the most persistent idols in the Old Testament and today is the idea that humans control their own destiny.
If God is going to be our stronghold, He wants us to trust Him fully, to lay down our burdens, fears, and the illusion that we are in control.
Let’s trust His plans and purposes for our lives. As we do so, we will find peace even amid life’s storms.
Rudy Ross often discusses the importance of maintaining a constant conversation with the Lord throughout the day.
Similar to breathing, he understands that taking one deep breath a day won’t provide enough air for the entire day, just as a single brief prayer in the morning won’t cover all of the day’s needs.
He must continuously engage in conversation with the Lord. This is how he keeps the door open for God to be his provider and guide.
Not Passive, but Active Trust
One of my friends humorously remarked that a man lounging in a bean bag chair, playing video games in his boxers and praying for God to give him a job, had it all wrong.
My friend’s funny story elicited laughter in the class I was leading. However, it reflected a 17th-century heresy that promoted inner stillness and abandonment to God, but without any action.
This heresy was called Quietism and was condemned because it led to a self-centered and lazy spirituality that neglected a Christian’s responsibility to the world around them.
I believe Henry Blackaby was correct when he said that within a personal relationship with God, He will give us a God-sized task.
A God-sized task will create in us a crisis of faith, where we must trust God and go beyond our resources.
The distinction between Quietism and Blackaby’s views is evident. Both perspectives emphasize a relationship with God, relying on Him as our refuge and shield. However, Quietism stops at mere trust, advocating for passivity.
In contrast, Blackaby builds upon this foundation of trust and divine reliance, urging us to actively engage in fulfilling God’s purposes and plans for our lives through obedient action.
Let’s praise God today for the privilege to proclaim His goodness and express gratitude for how He is our fortress in times of trouble.
Let’s seek shelter in Him through a daily connection with Him that ends in obedience to His guidance in our lives.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 
Amen
LikeLike