ODJ: Restoration’s Promise

November 27, 2017 

READ: Nahum 2:1-13 

Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honour. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendour (v.2).

One day I had a strong desire to pray for a neighbour who I had a distant, broken relationship with. I prayed, Jesus, if you want me to talk with him, have him come up to the front of his house in the next few minutes (he was in his back garden). Just thirty seconds later he came to the front of the house where we talked for the next thirty minutes! The joy of restoration now marks our growing friendship.

In Nahum’s day, the people of Judah were in a difficult ‘relationship’ with a superpower named Assyria who was threatening to overpower them. Having already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Assyrians plucked the king of Judah from Jerusalem and took him to Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:10-11). This flexing of their military muscles made the people of Judah cower in fear.

But God gave Nahum a message of hope and future restoration: “Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honour. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendour” (2:2). The fruitfulness of a “vine” symbolised God’s blessing of His people (Isaiah 27:2-6). Though the vine had been “stripped” as He disciplined them, He also let them know that He would fight for and one day restore the nation. The “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” was with them (Nahum 2:13).

If you’re a believer in Jesus, God is with you. In the difficulties of this life—broken relationships, battles with sin, painful experiences—remember what Paul once wrote: “Christ lives within you” and the “Spirit gives you life” (Romans 8:10)—new creational life.

Today, seek to be part of His restorative work on earth—a work that will one day culminate with Him “making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).

—Tom Felten

365-day-plan: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18