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Part 1: Heavenly Assurance – The Goodness of the Lord

Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

The message of the book of Nahum, though primarily focused on the declaration of God’s justice against Nineveh, offers a profound pivot point of hope in verse 7. While 98% of the book details God’s judgment, the very name Nahum means comfort and consolation. This comfort stems from our fundamental Heavenly Assurance: "The LORD is good".

Our assurance is rooted in God's immutable character, even as He operates as the Ruler who brings down the proud. He is Patient but Precise, delaying judgment but executing it perfectly. This patient nature is detailed early in Nahum, regarding the Lord’s Patience (v.1-3). His vast, tender mercies evidence the goodness of the Lord. We are encouraged to "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalms 34:8). Furthermore, His mercy endures forever, leading us to "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good" (Psalms 107:1).

This divine goodness guarantees we can find consolation in the Lord, even "during the dark, stormy times of our life". God is gracious, full of compassion, and characterized by great mercy. He is described as being "slow to anger". In the powerful face of God's universal justice—where His hand is certain and no nation can escape—His goodness serves as a continuous, foundational truth. He is good to all, and His tender mercies extend over all His works (Psalms 145:9). Our assurance rests not on our circumstances, but on the enduring, compassionate goodness of the Lord.