Archives for August 2014

“An attacker advances against you, Ninevah. Guard the fortress, watch the road, brace yourselves, marshal your strength!” Nahum 2:1

In this imperfect world we live in, attacks on us and our loved ones will come. The attack might be physical, verbal, emotional, spiritual, or legal. We may have experienced a similar attack before or this type of assault may be completely foreign to us. We may have warning or it may hit us before we have time to blink.

One of my family members came under an unfair legal attack recently, and God used the above verse from Nahum to help me see that it’s okay to defend ourselves when we’re under attack.

Yes, God’s Word also tells of how Moses, when the Egyptians were hot on the heels of the Israelites, told the people, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14), but we also see from this passage in Nahum that sometimes it’s necessary to be proactive in defending ourselves. I think the key must be to seek God’s direction and listen for his leading.

So let’s look at the instructions this verse in Nahum gives for mounting a defense when we’re being attacked. Let’s think about how we might apply this plan of action to any situation we’re facing now. The points I list here are just a few applications. I’m sure you’ll think of others, too.

1) Guard the fortress. One person alone can’t guard a fortress adequately, can they? Sometimes we need to recruit help when we’re being attacked. This will look different for different situations.

2) Watch the road. We and our fellow guards need to be alert at all times and savvy to the tactics of the enemy. We need to watch for the attacker’s advance.

3) Brace yourselves. We need to prepare and strengthen ourselves for what may come so we’re not caught off guard. Again, this will look different in different situations, but it will involve educating ourselves or thinking through what’s needed to be prepared.

4) Marshal your strength. We need to gather our strength for the attack, whether that strength be physical, emotional, spiritual, or legal. For example, if the attack is spiritual, we’ll need extra time in the Word and in prayer as well prayer support from others. If it’s a legal attack, we’ll need advice and help from godly advisors, both legal and personal. We’ll need people to walk alongside us.

Isn’t God good to give us wisdom for the situations life throws at us? I pray this verse from Nahum will help any of you who may find yourselves in the midst of a present attack. And if you’re not currently under attack, why not keep this wisdom in mind for the future. It will be sure to help stabilize you when an assault comes your way.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

*What other applications or wisdom can you draw from this verse in Nahum?

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Flickr photo by PSParrot, Creative Commons License