Read Nahum 1-3

Laid Waste

The prophet Jonah predicted the destruction of Nineveh within forty days, but at their repentance, God relented. Approximately 100 years later, Nahum was called to proclaim “the burden against Nineveh” (Nahum 1:1). Nahum decried the savagery of their military and the commercial greed of the capital city of Assyria.

Few could have fathomed the fall of Assyria while they were in power. The same could be said about the rule of the Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans. These empires were mighty, but as all earthly kingdoms do, they eventually fell.

Nahum’s prophecy shows the utter destruction of Nineveh. He writes, “She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; much pain is in every side, and all their faces are drained of color” (Nahum 2:10). He further writes, “It shall come to pass that all who look upon you will flee from you, and say, ‘Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her?’ Where shall I seek comforters for you?” (Nahum 3:7).

There is but one kingdom that will never fall, but it is not an earthly kingdom. This kingdom was established nearly 2000 years ago during the days of the Roman empire; it was prophesied by Daniel and built by Jesus. It is the only kingdom “which shall never be destroyed” and “shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).

Our allegiance must be pledged to that spiritual kingdom. Our love for country must never exceed our love for God. We have a greater citizenship than our American citizenship, and we desperately need to understand that fact. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

May we all work together to increase the citizenship of heaven, and realize the importance of that task. Whatever happens in our country ultimately matters little if we are not striving to get to heaven and take as many others with us as possible!