Evening Scripture

Nahum 1
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.

His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.
Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

Whatever they plot against the Lord he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.
They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.
From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and devises wicked plans.

This is what the Lord says:
“Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah, I will afflict you no more.
Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”

The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh: “You will have no descendants to bear your name.
I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.”

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.

Evening Reflection

If it seems lately like the world has it out for us, that everywhere we turn, there is trouble, unrest, complications, conflicts, disputes, and more, we can take hope, because we don’t have to try and figure everything out or how to solve it all on our own. During troubled times, God calls us to find refuge in Him, to come to Him as our stronghold in distressing days. Rather than hide ourselves behind closed blinds and locked doors, He encourages us to turn to Him and trust His care over our lives. But, yet, maybe some of us feel like we’re facing difficulties and stresses because we haven’t been seeking and following God closely, like we could be doing; feeling like, because we aren’t close, He doesn’t want us to ask Him for help, or that we really don’t deserve, or have earned the right to come to Him.

Still, He cares for those of us who trust in Him, and thankfully, His love for us isn’t based on our actions, so even if we’ve been distracted or wandered away from Him a bit, we can turn to God, remembering how His love for us has no expiration date. Because God is slow to anger, He’s also more than ready and willing to face our foes on our behalf, because He is great in power and is not intimidated by their threats to us, but is the one who frees us from the enemy’s grip and hold over our hearts and minds.

Evening Prayer

God,
I come to You tonight weary and tired, seeking safety, security, comfort, and refuge in You and You alone, from a world that is wearing me down. Help me daily in facing life’s troubling situations, O Lord, I ask, as I need You to be my defender and to deal with those who deal harshly with me. Let me find shelter and rest in Your care of me. Thank You for being my stronghold in distressing times and for freeing me from affliction’s grip. My heart is deeply grateful to You for loving and caring for me all the days of my life.
Amen.

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