Jonah 1:1 - Digging into God’s Word – The Beginning of Ministry

Monday 4/2/12 – Digging into God’s Word – The Beginning of Ministry

Jonah 1:1: Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Devotional:

    Ministry is something that God calls and expects His kids to do. It can be defined as “divine resources meeting human needs through willing vessels.” The willing vessels mentioned in this definition refer to us Christians whom God uses to meet the needs of others, and through studying the book of Jonah, we can find out so much about ministry and what it means for the Christian life.

     Looking at the very first verse in the book of Jonah, we see the first thing in ministry – hearing God’s voice. The first thing that happened in this book is that the “word of the Lord came to Jonah.” For those of us wanting to be used by God in some way in ministry in some person’s life, it is vital that we stay in God’s Word; for that is what God often uses to speak to His children. Through His Word, He can reveal so much to us.

     First, His Word reveals to us His truth. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Not only does He reveal His truth, but He reveals Himself to us through His Word. Reading the Bible, we can see God’s character and personality, what He loves and what He hates, His passions and His grievances. We see the heart of our Lord through His Word. So this would be the first reason why anyone who wants to be a vessel used by God for His work in ministering to others would need to start in His Word. How can we minister to others and share with them God’s divine resources if we ourselves don’t know it?

     However, there is also a second reason why we should daily be in God’s Word. Through His Word, He doesn’t just reveal His truth and Himself, but He also shows us our own hearts, motives, problems, and self-deceptions. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” God’s Word then goes from revealing to us our own self to showing us how we personally should live. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So just like it’s so difficult for us to minister God’s divine resources to others when we ourselves don’t know it, likewise, how can we minister His resources when we
ourselves don’t have it? How can we give somebody something we aren’t living ourselves?

     It’s interesting to note that Jonah came from a town called Gath Hepher (2 Kings 14:25). Gath Hepher is translated “winepress of the pit” or “winepress of the digger,” with “Gath” meaning “a winepress” and “Hepher” meaning “a digger.” Just like Jonah was from the “winepress of the digger” before the word of the Lord came to him, so we must be digging into the Bible and pressing into God’s Word as we meditate on the Scriptures and let the Holy Spirit extract the precious juice out of His Word and into our lives. Ministry can be tough – life alone can be tough! But as you dig into God’s Word each day, He can give you the strength to press on in your life and in your ministry He’s called you to.

     This is where ministry starts. We don’t need to frantically get up each day looking for it. Jonah wasn’t. Trust me, he wasn’t! If you know the story of Jonah, you know that he definitely wasn’t looking for the ministry God called him to. But, nonetheless, the story of Jonah starts out in chapter one verse one saying “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah…” The Word of the Lord has come to us. He’s given us the Bible. When’s the time to read it? Jonah 1:1 first word, “Now”! Read it now; read it each day, and expect to hear the word of the Lord and be prepared for any ministry He calls you to today. Will you open up His Word, dig in, and press on?

 

Prayer:

     God, help me to be faithful every day to read Your Word You’ve given me so that You can show me more of my own heart, Your heart, and what I need to do each day. Through Your Spirit and Your Word, prepare me today for any form of ministry You desire to use me in. May I be a vessel of Yours willing to share Your divine resources with anyone who is in need of it today. Thank You for Your Word and for wanting to use me to accomplish Your purposes. Amen.