Nahum 2, Titus 2

(Nahum 2)

I would imagine there was quite a bit of comfort within the palace gates in Ninevah. Maybe there was an untouchable feeling. A sense of security that surely in the heart of the capital city of the Assyrian Empire, all was well, and always would be. I would imagine that children played without concern, parents had the confidence to bask in their lifestyles and personal agenda’s, and rulers were proud of their conquests.

Paul warns the Church at Corinth in Chapter 10, “…let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” To make it personal, if God and I were to sit down, I wonder what areas of my life, in which I think I stand tall, would be found out to be built on selfish and weak motives? What are the false securities in my life that would be exposed?

Nahum warns of a time when the city walls will fall and the river gates are thrown open. When the man made security they once had will not only challenged, but will be thrown aside. Vs.8 says, “Where now is the lions' den, the place where they fed their young, where the lion and lioness went, and the cubs, with nothing to fear?”

Nahum writes in vs.8 that, “Ninevah is a pool, and it’s water is draining away.”

God, this morning I ask that you reveal the things in my life that are built apart from you. I pray for your grace in those areas and gentle correction. I pray that you would help me not to trust in things of the world that are temporary, but instead trust in you as the solid foundation whose love will stand forever. Help me, dear God, to put on the things of Christ.

(Titus 2)

It’s so easy to look at Titus 2 as a list of standards that any of us could easily be disqualified. Honestly, wouldn’t we? Thank God, literally, that through Jesus and the Holy Spirit we are given victory over death. These are certainly a reflection of a mature faith. Chapter two is a great picture of how a life can look like under the influence of the Spirit. I can’t imagine love and unity not being the end result in our families, our churches, our workplaces, and our friendships (and beyond).

In all this, the purpose is to Glorify God. Paul gives an example to Titus that would reflect a pure image of who Christ was. As a follower of Christ, that should be our standard, not just for those who desire the position of an overseer or pastor, all of us.

If we do so, we will stand blameless (not perfect). Who could accuse us of falsehood? Not because we’re so great, but because God is. The greatest indictment on the church today is not disbelief in God. I’ve met a ton of people who believe in God, they just don’t believe in Christians. They’ve seen how Churches treat each other, they’ve seen the spiritual pride and arrogance, they’ve seen what they feel are “hypocrites”, they’ve seen enough evidence that not only do they not want to trust us with their lives, why would they trust us to instruct them about their eternity?

Verse 7 and 8, Paul writes, “… in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

While, unfortunately, these verses could be talking about another believer who is trying to slander you, let’s not forget to be concerned even moreso for the skeptic.

God, help us to recognize that not only do we have an opportunity to worship you through our lives in pursuing your ways, but help us to recognize that we can easily cloud the image of Christ through our lives. Help us to truly believe that if we abide in you, dear God, your Spirit will be manifest in us.