Affliction Will Not Arise a Second Time!

God Takes Attacks Against His People Personally

God makes a powerful declaration in Nahum 1:9: “What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.” (NKJV)

God originally spoke these words concerning Nineveh, an enemy city. But this verse reveals a spiritual principle that applies beyond Nineveh: God takes attacks against His people as attacks against Himself.

Here is something important: The Hebrew word translated “affliction” in Nahum 1:9 is tsarah.

This same word is used in 2 Chronicles 20:9, and the afflictions there specifically include pestilence (disease).

Also in Psalm 91:15, where God promises deliverance from trouble (tsarah) in a chapter that repeatedly speaks of protection from pestilence and plague.

Clearly, the biblical use of tsarah includes afflictions caused by sickness and disease.

Any affliction against God’s people, whether it is war, poverty, sickness, etc. is an attack on God. When God's People Suffer, He Takes It Personally

This principle appears throughout the Bible.

Isaiah 63:9 says: “In all their affliction He was afflicted...” (NKJV)

Think about that! No matter what your affliction may be, God sees it as His affliction. Our troubles matter personally to Him.

We see the same principle in the New Testament. Before Saul of Tarsus became the apostle Paul, he persecuted Christians, arrested believers, and tried to destroy the church.

But when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, He asked: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4, NKJV)

Notice Jesus didn't ask, "Why are you persecuting My people?" He said, "Why are you persecuting Me?"

Saul was attacking Christians, but Jesus considered those attacks to be against Himself!

Jesus reinforced this principle in Matthew 25:36–40. He described people feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, and visiting the sick. Then He explained that when they cared for His brethren, they were actually caring for Him.

In other words, Jesus so closely identifies with His people that what is done to them, He considers done to Himself.

Why? Because we are His body (1 Corinthians 12:27).

This helps us understand the broader principle in Nahum 1:9. God stands with His people against those who oppose them. And He declares that He will bring the affliction to an end!

Applying This Principle to Healing

We can apply this same principle to sickness and disease.

Sickness is not from God. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and 1 Peter 2:24 tells us that healing has already been provided through Jesus' suffering.

If sickness attacks our bodies, we don't have to accept it. We belong to Christ, and He has already provided the victory. We can receive healing and then stand on the principle in Nahum 1:9 and boldly declare: “Affliction will not rise up a second time!”

We Must Exercise Our Faith and Authority

But here's something to remember. Just because God has provided a promise doesn't mean we automatically experience its benefits.

Throughout the Bible, we see that God's people must respond to His promises with faith.

Jesus told us to speak to our mountains (Mark 11:23). James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us.

God has given us authority, but we must exercise it!

The same faith that receives healing is the faith we continue to exercise to keep it. If symptoms try to return, we don't have to panic or accept them. We can resist them using the authority Jesus has given us.

We continue believing God's Word, speaking His promises, and standing on what Jesus has already accomplished.

The bottom line: God takes attacks against His people personally. Jesus has provided our healing, and we have been given the faith and authority to receive it and stand against its return.

So don't live expecting sickness to come back. Stand on God's Word and boldly declare:

“Affliction will not rise up a second time!” — Nahum 1:9

- By Rick Porterfield