The Only Sufficient Stronghold

Nahum 3:12

All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

Nahum is preaching against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria and the very same city Jonah had been commissioned to preach to in view of their repentance.

The grace and mercy of God that is extended today is no promise of that same tomorrow. None of us can rightfully expect God's mercy. It must be sought and it must be sought by the humble and contrite. We cannot earn it, but neither can we expect it if we choose to throw God's grace in the wind.

Nahum's message takes on a taunting temper. He challenges the Assyrians to strengthen themselves and to fortify their strongholds. Nahum says that, be they ever so strong, if they are shaken they will yield up their fruit like a fig tree yielding its fruit into the mouths of the shaker. This is, of course, exactly what happened in Assyria. As formidable a Kingdom as they were. As great a threat as they presented in the days of Isaiah, yet in just a few years they were completely obliterated by the Babylonians.

So it is with the unrighteous. They may

·       Build up their popularity

·       Save up their resources

·       Gather together their following

·       Stockpile their armories

But when God comes to shake them they will come apart like ripe figs off the tree.

There is only one stronghold sufficient for the security of men. He is Jesus Christ. Come to Him by faith.