Neville Turley
“My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak— it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.”
Isaiah 55:10-11 (GNB)
On reaching Nineveh, Jonah took a day to acquaint himself with the city. Only then did he begin proclaiming God’s message to its people.
“In forty days, Nineveh will be destroyed.”
Just five words in Hebrew and seven words in the Good News Bible text. The message was perfectly simple yet simply perfect. It cuts straight to the hearts of the Ninevites. They sought God’s forgiveness.
They gave up their evil ways and earnestly began praying, fasting and wearing sack cloth as a sign of their repentance. When their king heard the Word of the Lord he too accepted it wholeheartedly and prayed for God’s forgiveness. Furthermore, he issued a decree that all his subjects must seek God’s mercy. When God saw the people of Nineveh place their faith in him, God in his grace, decided not to punish them. Instead God forgave them their sins.
Faith comes from hearing the word of God and believing. Jonah was a one-person mission that God used to convert a kingdom.
Today God uses us to take his word to the nations. There are many opportunities of service available. One way is through the Bible Society of South Africa which is 198 years old today.
The Bible Society exists solely to translate, publish and distribute the Word of God. It is entirely dependent on prayers and voluntary funding to keep the Bible presses rolling. Many Verse-a-day subscribers partner with the society through its Bible-a-Month Club. Club members sponsor Bible distribution where the need is greatest through carefully structured Bible programs. Like modern day Jonahs these sowers of hope spread the light of God’s Word to people living in darkness, and in doing so bring glory to God.
Prayer: Almighty God you have through your Son brought light into our life. May the Holy Spirit show us how best to spread the light of your Word. Amen