Daily Topic for December 03, 2006
The Old Testament repeatedly records that kings of Israel acknowledged God’s power. But what a surprise to read the words of Cyrus (a Gentile), the most powerful world ruler of his day, telling his people that the Lord had given him all the kingdoms of the earth and had appointed him to build Him a temple! What’s more, the king expected the Jews who did not wish to return to Jerusalem to support the venture. God certainly does not act according to our expectations! The Scriptures declare, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).
Father, direct the hearts of today’s world leaders to accomplish Your purposes among the nations. Remind them that You are the King of the earth.
(Continued from yesterday) Ato Mahey continued his work in the area, covering three different mission stations across southwest Ethiopia. On one such trip he met a Bunna man named Gersho who had been in prison many years awaiting execution for several murders. Christian believers imprisoned for their faith befriended him and began to care for him. Gersho soon learned their language and as he did, they shared their faith with him and he readily accepted Christ. He learned a second language in order to be able to read the only Bible they had. Two years later, when the Christians were released from prison, they left Gersho in charge of both preaching and pastoring the prisoners. He was later released from prison.
God changed this murderer into His messenger, and then sent him back to his own Bunna people. One of Gersho’s family members who welcomed him home was his brother, the young man who many years ago had murdered Peter on his way home from the clinic. God works in mysterious ways!
Through his knowledge of traditional Bunna rituals, Gersho successfully presented the Christian message in a way the Bunnas could understand and receive. Seeds that had been planted by Peter and his widow, Ato Mahey, and Charlie Bonk for the past 10 years finally took root. God used one from among the Bunnas themselves to become a “life giver” to his own people.
Learn more at joshuaproject.netPray for God to raise up more “life givers” among the Bunna people.