QT 27/11/2025 Thu. Nahum 1 The Blazing Comforter 烈火般的安慰者
QT 27/11/2025 Thu. Nahum 1 The Blazing Comforter
READ http://www.esv.org/nahum1
“The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows those who take refuge in Him.” — Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
Nahum 1 can feel like standing before a blazing furnace. The chapter opens with strong words: God is jealous, avenging, powerful, and unstoppable. Mountains quake before Him, the seas dry up at His command, and no one can stand before His indignation. At first glance, it may feel overwhelming. But the purpose of Nahum 1 is not to terrify God’s people; it is to comfort them.
(1) God’s Wrath Is the Expression of His Holy Love
Assyria—ruthless, violent, cruel—had tormented God’s people for decades. Israel and Judah saw their cities burned, their families taken, their hope crushed. Nahum’s message is this: God has seen every injustice. None of it is ignored.
God is “slow to anger,” yet powerful enough to overthrow nations. God’s wrath is not a temper flare-up. It is His righteous commitment to purge evil from His world and defend the oppressed.
For believers today, this is deeply comforting: God’s patience is real, but His justice is certain. Evil does not get the final word. God will not allow darkness to reign forever.
(2) God Is a Refuge in the Midst of the Storm
Nahum 1 paints God as a whirlwind and a consuming fire. Yet right in the middle of that storm, verse 7 (ESV) shines like a lighthouse: He is good. He is a stronghold. He knows His people.
This means: God is not just powerful; He is kind. He does not merely defeat enemies; He shelters the weak. He is not distant; He is deeply attentive. Life brings days of trouble. But those days do not define us—our Refuge does. When suffering rises, God does not say, “Survive.” He says, “Come to Me.”
(3) God Knows Those Who Trust in Him
God “knows” those who take refuge in Him. This knowing is personal, protective, and intimate. To be known by God means: He sees where you are. He understands what you carry. He guards your life. He never abandons you.
In Christ this becomes even sweeter. Jesus is the one who absorbs wrath so that His people may rest in mercy. He is the stronghold where judgment cannot touch us.
(4) For God’s People, Judgment Leads to Freedom
Nahum 1 ends with good news: the oppressor will be cut off, and God’s people will enjoy peace again. This pattern points forward to the gospel: The powers of sin and Satan are defeated. The burden of guilt is removed. Christ brings peace where fear once ruled. The cross is the greatest display of Nahum 1—justice against evil, refuge for the redeemed.
Reflection Questions
(1) Where do I need to trust God’s justice instead of fearing evil?
(2) When trouble comes, do I run to the Lord as my stronghold?
(3) How can I rest today in the truth that God knows me personally?
Prayer
Lord, You are good, and You are my stronghold in the day of trouble. Help me trust Your justice, rest in Your mercy, and hide myself in Christ, my refuge. Thank You that You know me, love me, and will never forsake me. Strengthen my faith to stand firm in every storm. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 27/11/2025 星期四. 那鸿书 1 烈火般的安慰者
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/nah/1/
耶和华是良善的；在患难的时候，他作人的避难所；信靠他的人，他都认识。——拿鸿书 1:7
读拿鸿书第一章，恍若伫立于烈火熔炉之前。开篇即以震撼之语宣告：神是忌邪的、报应的、大能的、不可阻挡的。群山在他面前震动，海洋听命干涸，无人能抵挡他的烈怒。乍看之下令人窒息，但拿鸿书第一章的目的并非要吓唬神的子民，而是要安慰他们。
(1) 神的忿怒乃圣洁之爱的彰显
亚述——残暴、野蛮、无情——数十年折磨神的子民。以色列与犹大的城邑被焚，家眷被掳，希望尽碎。那鸿的宣告是：神目睹一切不义，无一遗漏。
神“不轻易发怒”，却有能力倾覆列国。神的忿怒并非情绪爆发，乃是祂公义的承诺——要从世界中除尽邪恶，为受压迫者伸张正义。
对今日信徒而言，这带来深切安慰：神的忍耐真实存在，祂的公义必将彰显。邪恶不会得胜，神绝不允许黑暗永世掌权。
(2) 风暴中的避难所
那鸿书第一章将神描绘为旋风与吞噬之火。然而在风暴正酣之际，第7节（ESV译本）如灯塔般闪耀：祂是良善的，是坚固的保障，深知祂的子民。
这意味着：上帝不仅大有能力，更是满有慈爱。祂不仅击败仇敌，更庇护软弱者。祂并非遥不可及，而是深切关注。人生难免遭遇患难，但这些日子无法定义我们——我们的避难所才能。当苦难临到，上帝不会说“活下去”，祂说“到我这里来”。
(3) 上帝认识那些信靠祂的人
神“认识”那些投靠祂的人。这份认识是个人化的、保护性的、亲密的。被神所认识意味着：祂看见你所在之处，理解你所背负的重担，守护你的生命，永不离弃你。
在基督里，这份认识更显甘美。耶稣是那承受忿怒者，使祂的子民得以安息在怜悯中。祂是坚固的保障，审判无法触及我们。
(4) 审判引领神的子民得自由
那鸿书以佳音作结：欺压者必被剪除，神的子民将重享平安。这模式预示着福音：罪与撒但的权势已被击溃，罪疚的重担得以卸除。基督在恐惧曾掌权之处带来平安。十字架正是那鸿书第一章的终极彰显——对恶的公义审判，对蒙救赎者的庇护之所。
反思问题
(1) 在哪些方面我需要信靠神的公义，而非惧怕邪恶？
(2) 患难临到时，我是否奔向主作为我的坚固台？
(3) 今日我如何安息于神亲自认识我的真理？
祷告
主啊，祢是良善的，在患难之日祢是我的坚固台。求祢帮助我信靠祢的公义，安息在祢的慈爱中，藏身于基督——我的避难所。感谢祢认识我、爱我，永不离弃我。求祢坚固我的信心，使我能在每场风暴中站立得稳。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
