Essays
God's Fellow Workers
GOD’S FELLOW WORKERS
The very thought of sharing the gospel with those around us would be overwhelming if it were not for the fact that God has promised to be our Helper. Paul reminded the church at Corinth that those who engage in preaching and teaching are God’s fellow workers (1Cor.3:9). What a comforting concept - - the very idea serves to embolden us. We do not go out with the gospel alone - - God has promised to never forsake us: The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me? (Heb.13:5-6).
God often works behind the scenes doing groundwork and “field work” for the spread of the gospel. This truth is clearly dis-played in the story of Jonah. Jonah’s assignment was daunting. Of all people, he was directed to preach to the Ninevites. Jonah’s
problem was not that he felt the task would be unrewarding. His was a problem of the heart. Deep down inside of him he knew the power of Jehovah God and he was well aware of the grace and compassion of God (Jonah 4:2). Jonah was wrong about many things but he was quite right about the power and mercy of God. After his experience in the belly of the whale, Jonah traveled a straight course to Nineveh to do just what God told him to do. He preached and he witnessed and he was greeted by Assyrians who were ready for a change: the people of Nineveh believed in God… (Jonah 3:5). God had been busy preparing the way for Jonah to preach.
In the months and years preceding Jonah’s arrival in Nineveh, God was at work softening hearts and reshaping minds. In 765 BC, a serious plague bringing famine, pestilence and disease struck Nineveh. On June 15, 763 BC, a total solar eclipse took place. A second plague arrived in 757 BC. And then, in 755 BC an earthquake shook them to the core (Amos 1:1-2). Finally, God turned to Jonah to work a change in the heart of the prophet. When “the new Jonah” arrived in Nineveh to deliver God’s judgment warning, THEY WERE READY TO LISTEN. A. W. Tozer once wrote, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man until He has hurt him deeply”. The veracity of these words are verified in chapter after chapter throughout the sacred scriptures. The words of Paul might well be the fountainhead of Tozer’s quote - - when I am weak, then I am strong (2Cor.12:10). By ourselves we are incapable of bringing con-version and eternal life to others. But with God as our Helper, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philp.4:13).
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church Of Christ
