Random Books of the Bible

(This post was written by Matt Grimes, Middle School Ministry Pastor)

There are a lot of books in the Bible that are overlooked and don’t get much focus and attention.  Most of these are in the Old Testament, and are very short.  I don’t know why so many people over look them, but the reality is we do.  Maybe it is the content of the books that frightens us, or maybe they just don’t make that much sense.  I decided the other morning as I was sitting down to spend some time in the word to read through one of the books, Nahum.  It was in this obscure book of the Bible that God hit me with a phenomenal question that I never knew was in the Bible.  Let’s take a look at Nahum:

Nahum is an account about God’s revelation of what will happen to the city of Nineveh.  Most of the book focuses on the anger and vengeance of God on those who choose the world and evil over Him.  It also outlines the reality that God will destroy this city.  However there are a few amazing nuggets of encouragement in this book. 

Nahum 1:3   “The Lord is patient and has great strength.”

Nahum 1:7   “The Lord is good.  He is a fortress in the day of trouble.  He knows those who seek shelter in Him.”

But there was one verse that I found to be even more impactful.  It’s found in Nahum 1:9 and this is what it says:  “What do you think about the Lord?”  I love that question.  God is asking us what we think, when we think about who He is.  That is a huge question, and will have huge impacts on everything in our lives.  One of the most important things about us is what we think when we think about God, yet it is a question we don’t often stop and think about.  It is so important to make sure that we have a right picture of who God is.  A wrong picture of God, will negatively impact our lives.  So what comes to mind, when you think about God?  Does that picture line up with what scripture says is true of God?  If not, what things need to be adjusted in your life so you have a proper picture of who God is?

When it comes to our families, the bigger question is what do our kids think about who God is, because of who we are as their parents?  As parents we paint a picture of who God is by the way we live our lives and the example we set for them in our walk with God.  That’s the way God set it up…the family is the process for knowing and understanding who God is.  I don’t know about you, but to me that is a huge responsibility.  I wonder who our kids would say God is because of the way we, their parents, live out our faith in front of them.  Does that picture line up with what scripture says is true of God?  If not, what things need to be adjusted in your life, so your kids have a proper picture of who God is?

What do you think about the Lord?  Everything hinges on that question.  Ask it of yourself often, and let’s keep a biblical picture of who God is in front of us and our kids.