In the preceding book of Micah, you learned how to gain spiritual maturity in order to pray confidently so sin is defeated. Nahum explains how to pray in order to see your wounds healed. By praying God’s attributes of goodness, sovereignty, power and truth, your wounds will be healed, especially the lust for control and materialism.
Trust God’s Goodness Who Cares
Nahum said the Lord was a jealous God who poured out His wrath like fire against His enemies. He was slow to anger, great in power and did not leave the guilty unpunished. God dried up the sea, withered Bashan and Carmel and trembled the earth. No one withstood His indignation. The Lord was good and a refuge in times of trouble. He cared for those who trusted in Him. He made an end of Nineveh with an overwhelming flood and pursued His foes into darkness (Nahum 1:1-8). Trust God’s goodness as a refuge who cares for you in times of trouble.
Trust God’s Sovereignty to Bring Good News
God ended plots against Him. Nineveh would be cut down and not afflict Judah any more. God broke their yoke and tore shackles away. He commanded that Nineveh would have no descendants. God destroyed the carved images and cast idols in the temple of their gods. On the mountains was the feet who brought good news and proclaimed peace. Judah celebrated their festivals knowing the wicked would not invade them (Nahum 1:9-15). Trust God’s sovereignty to bring the right people to proclaim good news and peace to break the yoke of sin.
Trust God’s Power to Restore Health
The Lord would restore Israel’s splendor even though the destroyers ruined their vines. Nineveh’s troops stumbled and the palace collapsed. It was decreed that the city be exiled like a pool with water draining away. Her wealth was plundered and their hearts melted. God burnt their chariots in smoke and the sword devoured their young lions. The voices of their messengers were no longer heard (Nahum 2:1-13). Trust God’s power to restore health and defeat spiritual enemies.
Trust God’s Truth to Defeat Lust for Control
Nahum pronounced woe on the city of blood full of lies, plunder and victims because she had lust of a harlot and sorceries. Nineveh enslaved nations by prostitution and witchcraft. God was against her and showed nations her nakedness and shame. All who saw Nineveh said she was ruined and wondered if anyone could comfort her. She was no better than Thebes with Cush, Egypt, Put and Libya as allies and her strength. Thebes was also taken captive, exiled, infants killed and great men chained (Nahum 3:1-11). Trust God’s truth to defeat lust for control.
Strengthen Your Spiritual Defenses to Defeat Materialism
Nineveh’s fortresses were like fig trees when the first ripe fruit was shaken into the mouth of the eater. The gates of their land were wide open to their enemies with women as troops. They should have strengthened their defenses by repairing the brickwork since fire devoured them. They increased the number of merchants more than the stars who were like locusts that stripped the land. Their guards and officials were like swarms of locusts that flew away when the sun appeared (Nahum 3:12-17). Strengthen your spiritual defenses through prayer to defeat materialism.
Pray God’s Attributes to Heal Your Wounds
Their shepherds slumbered, nobles lied down to rest and the people scattered on the mountains. Nothing could heal their wound since their injury was fatal. Everyone who heard news about them celebrated because they felt their endless cruelty (Nahum 3:18-19). Pray God’s goodness, sovereignty, power and truth to heal your wounds.
The following explains how to pray in order to see your wounds healed:
1. Trust God’s goodness who cares in times of trouble
2. Trust God’s sovereignty to bring the right people who proclaim truth and peace
3. Trust God’s power to restore health and defeat spiritual enemies
4. Trust God’s truth to defeat lust for control
5. Strengthen your spiritual defenses through prayer to defeat materialism
6. Pray God’s goodness, sovereignty, power and truth to heal your wounds
