The Promises of God - Day 2

Encouragement for Today: The Promises of God
God is Good and God knows those who trust him

Nahum 1:7: The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He knows those who trust in him.
There is so much promise packed into this one little verse from this one “minor” prophet. Let’s begin with Nahum’s declaration that the Lord is good. Think about what it means for something or someone to be good by our modern definition. Typically, we define things as good when circumstances go our way, right? If relationships are going well, finances are solid, children are behaving, health is fine, grades are where we want them, then we have no trouble saying that life is “good”. For us, good is often circumstantial. But notice what scripture says about God, and let it sink deeply in: scripture says that the LORD IS good. God’s goodness is not dependent on any circumstance. Good is what God is – his nature – his being. God is good independently. No other entity taught God how to be good or taught him what goodness was. HE is and always has been the center of goodness. That means HIS goodness is not dependent on how He feels or how we behave. Isn’t that wonderful news?

Yesterday, we were encouraged by scripture’s declaration that God cannot lie. Believing that means we must believe the Lord when he says that he is good.

• Read Romans 8:28. How can believing that God is fundamentally good give you more
confidence in this often-quoted verse?

• How does believing that God is good help us keep the circumstances of our lives in proper
perspective?

Nahum next says that the Lord is a refuge in times of trouble. The word translated refuge is the Hebrew word mauz, and it means a stronghold on top of a rock or mountain. Let that imagery sink in – God as fortress on top of a mountain. When the circumstances of our lives are troublesome, God promises to be a refuge – a stronghold on top of a mountain for us – and yet many times we stay consumed by our troubles rather than running to our refuge. God cannot lie. He WILL BE our refuge in times of trouble.

• When you feel troubled about something, who do you talk to FIRST? Is it God? Why or why
not?

• What would change about your life if you took God up on his offer to be your refuge in troubles?

Finally, Nahum tells us that God knows those who trust him. This word knows doesn’t simply mean to be aware of. The Hebrew word yada means to know because you are in a relationship with someone.

• Is your relationship with God strong enough that God KNOWS you? Do you trust him enough
that he KNOWS you?

• Do you trust your own ability to solve your problems? Why is this easier for us at times than
trusting God?

• How does it impact your relations with God to believe that you are KNOWN by Him?

I hope today’s study has been encouraging to you. Rest in the fact that the creator of the universe KNOWS you and desires to be in relationship with you. God isn’t looking to rule over us exclusively. He is looking for relationship, and a relationship where we trust him to help us when we need help. And, as he says in the beginning of this short verse, he IS good. If God is good, then we can trust that the help He gives us is good. Can you believe that God cannot lie?
Can you believe that God is wholly good? Can you trust God to help you in times of trouble. His word promises these things. Claim these promises.