161. NAH 1:7. NAHUM’S DESCRIPTION OF JEHOVAH

Nah_1:7. Nahum’s Description of Jehovah

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him."’97Nah_1:7.

In this description, God is placed before us in a threefold form. 1. He is good. 2. A stronghold. And, 3. He knoweth them that trust in him.

I. The Lord is good.

By goodness is principally meant, the benevolence of God. Now this is rather the essential character of God, than any abstract or distinct perfection. God is infinitely good’97God is immutably good’97and he is universally good. His general goodness extends to all his creatures and works. His special goodness relates more particularly to man. And his peculiar goodness and delight is yet more properly limited to his children, to all those who love and fear him. All creation reflects his goodness. All the acts of his providence exhibit his goodness. And in the great plan of redemption, goodness is revealed in all its boundlessness, munificence, and glory. Believers enjoy his goodness in all their blessings, privileges, and immunities, promises and ordinances. In their justification’97regeneration’97adoption’97sanctification’97preservation; Exo_33:19; Exo_34:6-7; Mat_19:17; Psa_144:12-15; Psa_73:25; Psa_36:6; Jam_1:13, Jam_1:14.

II. He is a Stronghold in the Day of Trouble.

That is, a place of refuge, retreat, or defence.

1. He is a stronghold or defence.

And as such, he is impregnable, immutable, and always near at hand. He has been his people’s stronghold in every age and country of the world. And he is a stronghold at all times, but more especially,

2. In the day of trouble.

In the day of national trouble, to Israel of old. In the day of domestic trouble’97Jacob, Job, David, &c. In the day of personal trouble; when tempted, tried, afflicted, persecuted, dying.

III. He knoweth them that trust in him.

That is, those who avail themselves of him as a stronghold, by fleeing to him in the day of trouble. Many in the day of trouble trust in themselves, in their richest wisdom, might, &c. Many trust in their fellow-men, in an arm of flesh. These are all insufficient, all refuges of lies and will fail in the hour of extremity. God knoweth them who trust in him. He knoweth them,

(1) So as to distinguish them from others He knows them,

(2) So as to approve of them. He knows them,

(3) So as to deliver and save them. He knows them,

(4) So as to bless and reward them. Those who trust in him shall be guided in perplexity, sustained in weakness, delivered in time of danger; and when flesh and heart fail, God will be the strength of their heart, their exceeding great reward, and portion forever. Psa_84:11, xlv. 9; Psa_5:12; Pro_30:5; Zec_9:12; Psa_46:1; cxliv. 2; Isa_12:2; Isa_1:10

Application

Let all believers rejoice in their God and shield. There is no rock like unto their rock. Their help and defence is in the name of the Lord. The goodness of God is their portion. The Almighty power of God their defence, and the omniscient eye of God, which never slumbers nor sleeps, is ever upon them for good. "For he knoweth them that trust in him."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS