REVIVAL IN NINEVEH

“So the people of Nineveh believed God” [Jonah 3:5].

     The ancient city of Nineveh was the scene of an amazing revival in the ninth century B.C.  This vast city, which had a huge population, was so full of sin that God said its wickedness had come up before him.  The Ninevites were so evil they almost seemed to have compelled God to take notice of them.  And yet there was revival in Nineveh – Nineveh, of all places.

     Now, if God could send revival to Nineveh, He can surely send it to the place where we live and work.  Some people are far too pessimistic.  They are so taken up with the end-time apostasy that they would feel somewhat let down if God were to send a spiritual awakening.  Let us not be like that!

      Christians should be positive in their outlook; they should be looking for a harvest of souls.  The man who hid his talent in the earth did so because he thought his Lord was a mean man who could hardly be pleased.  Christ is not mean.  He died to save a vast multitude, and He will have that multitude with Him in heaven, “out of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues”  [Revelation 7:9].

     The revival in Nineveh affected all classes of society, all age groups, and all types of people.  It led to a thorough reformation of the lives and manners of the people.  The Ninevites turned from their sin to God, and God looked down from heaven approvingly and blessed them.

     As we read of what happened in Nineveh, we should long to see revival in our district.  The devil has been blinding our neighbours and friends for far too long.  Let us pray for a mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God.

[Rev. Gordon Ferguson].

“We cannot organise a revival but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon his people once again”   [G. Campbell Morgan].

NOTE.  Rev. Ferguson is due to preach in the Toronto church on October 8 and 29.  He will also be speaking at the 30th. Anniversary of the Port Hope church October 22 -27 and will be at Rev. Cranston’s retirement dinner on Oct. 28.

JESUS AS EMMANUEL

     The name Emmanuel brings us face to face with the unique nature of Christianity.  It is the only religion with a personal God.  Egypt and Babylon, and others, worshiped four-footed beasts and creeping things.  The gods of the nations are the sun, moon, stars, and the host of heaven, idols and images.  Idols have eyes but cannot see, and ears but cannot hear.  But Christianity has a personal God, and the greatest manifestation of this is Emmanuel.

     The message lies not on the surface, it has “which being interpreted is” appended to it.  “Emmanuel” means  “God with us.”  So it applies to those of every nation and tongue.   And it refers to Jesus Himself.  The Father did not send an angel or other created being, He sent His Son. He came in a wonder of deliverance.  We are a fallen race, sunken in sin, and Jesus came to deliver us from our sinful selves.

     What a wonder that “God is with us” in all of life’s pilgrimage, from the cradle to the grave. When we feel alone, He is there.  When sinners, like the woman of Samaria, [John 4] He is Emmanuel – God with us!

     When we were spiritually sightless, like the blind man [John 9], Jesus was there to give him sight.  He is Emmanuel! – God with us!  When we were sick like the nobleman’s son in Capernaum [John 4:43] Jesus is close by to heal us or help us He is Emmanuel – God with us!

     When in the storms of life, like the disciples tossed in the ship [John 6:20].  In the time of their desperate need, Jesus appears to calm the troubled waters.  He is Emmanuel – God with us!  When we are in sorrow like Mary and Martha [John 11] Jesus is there to weep with us. He is Emmanuel – God with us!

“If God be for us who can be against us?’

REMEMBER THE BOYLE FAMILY Serving the Lord in Mexico City

    Rev.  Jason Boyle, his wife Danielle, and sons Caleb and Jonathan can be reached at Av. San Jeronimo 1923 Casa 5, El Toro, Magdalena Contreras,  Ciudad de Mexico, 10610.  Mexico.

PRAYER REQUESTS

  1. For the expansion of the Free Presbyterian Church in Latin America. 2. For the Lord to raise up men to be elders in the local church, and to pastor and plant more churches in Mexico. 3. For the Lord’s protection and blessing on our family.

‘The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

[Matthew 4:16]