The Word of the Lord

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh.’” Jonah 1:1


Each adventure has a beginning, and ours started when God spoke. “And God said, ‘Let there be light…sky…land…plants…stars…fish…and animals. Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image…and let them rule over earth’s creation’”(Gen 1). God’s word gave us somewhere to live, someone to love, and something to do—all we need for the now of life.


“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh.’” Jonah’s story started when God spoke. He was God’s man who had received God’s message. The treasure of the word of the Lord had been entrusted to Jonah, and over the next few weeks, we’ll consider his reaction and response. But it all began with listening.


In our world today, many speak a lot but say little. Televisions, computers, and cell phones chatter and clamor for our attention and action. Through the wonders of technology, we are constantly bombarded with words, and we must choose wisely. But unlike the prophets of old, we are not required to wait for a vision or revelation to receive the most valuable words – the word of the Lord. God continually speaks to His children through His Spirit, our circumstances, and the Scripture. God has bound His words in leather, hard-back, and paperback and graciously placed them in our homes and our hands.


At this time of resolution, or hopefully at least reflection, consider focusing first on the One who matters most. Working out, losing weight, and managing time and money are beneficial and important in the new year, but as Paul reminded Timothy, “Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”(1 Tim 4:8). Godliness begins by listening to God, by hearing what He has to say, and by turning down or tuning out the many others.


Let the Word of the Lord be the loudest voice you hear this year—and the one you listen to the most. Each adventure has a beginning, and yours began when God spoke.