Proverbs 17:9 ~ Gossip hurts. Slander cuts deep. Proverbs are not meant to be hard and fast rules, but principles that are sources of wisdom and understanding. And while it may be beneficial to inform another person about an offense, more often than not it becomes an excuse to criticise someone behind their backs and spread discord. However the one who covers an offense seeks love (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:7). 

Hebrews 10:23-25 ~ The author of Hebrews has just written about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice once and for all as our High Priest. Not only does He redeem us from our sins, He allows us to come boldly into the presence of God and draw near to Him. Today’s passage points to the exhortation to keep the faith and hold fast. But it is not just a command that is meant to be accomplished by yourself! He encourages the readers to build one another up to love and good works and to remember to meet regularly.

Application – The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. We are individually saved, but we are also adopted into a family of believers. Do you neglect your brothers and sisters? Do you skip Church or Bible study when you feel like it? Maybe you make excuses like “oh there’s a baptism on today”. Christians, you must hold fast to the faith together as a body! Build one another up, encourage one another, rebuke one another, and stand firm. Remember that Church is not about you and the sermon and what you learn. Rather, it’s actually about being with your brothers and sisters together, singing, praying, and then having fellowship before and after the service to check on how you are doing. Don’t leave the service immediately after the main stage events. The real work is in the pews. 

Nahum 1:1-8 ~ Nahum the Prophet has a divine revelation from God against Ninevah, foretelling its destruction as a sign of judgement. These are strong words and showcase the clear teaching of Scripture that God hates both sin and the sinner (cf. Psalm 5:5), being avenging and wrathful. However He is also slow to anger and good. I think that many times we elevate attributes and aspects of God above others (in this case His love) that we forget that the Bible also teaches that God is just and will not clear the guilty. His power is unmatched, rebuking the sea, making mountains quake, and destroying His adversities.

Application – God is slow to anger, but He will judge the guilty and condemn them accordingly. I tend to forget that God is righteous and good, to the point where He cannot even look upon sin because He is so holy let alone tolerate it. But God is a stronghold for those who He knows, His people. We are all guilty, but the wrath and heat of His anger has already been poured out for us on Christ if we have faith in Him. Because of Jesus, and Jesus alone, we can be known by God in a saving and loving relationship. And this is not because of any inherent merit or awesomeness that we have in and of ourselves. God’s judgement is real, so preach the Gospel. And cling to Christ, the only hope we have, our refuge in the coming wrath.