“Receive God’s Word And Obey It!”

“Receive God’s Word Now And Obey It!”(Am.8:11-12).
The first resident missionaries in the Grassfield regions of Cameroon arrived in Bali on Sunday, 17th March 1903. The first indigenous Christians were baptised on 20th November 1908. The Bali people are by nature so inclined to their culture and indigenous religions. As such, conversion was timid; but in 1947, there was a mass conversion as a result of the solar eclipse that occurred in that year and was witnessed in Bali.
The day of the eclipse was “Ntanmbutu,” of the Bali weekday. A figurative expression came into existence as from that day. When something unprecedented that is sorrowful and maybe frightening happens to someone, the one cries out: “Ndzám ŋtanmbutu sän a” – meaning “Ntanmbutu night has happened to me!”
From the arrival of the missionaries since 1902 (renconoitering mission) till 1947, the people had given minimal attention to the gospel preaching. They were conversant with the preaching about God’s wrath on the last days and its consequences on unbelievers. That is why they interpreted the eclipse to be God’s judgment about to descend on them.
The book of Hebrews drawing inspiration from the Psalms reminds us that “Today if you hear God’s word harden not your hearts…”
This powerful verse is used by majority denominations worldwide to introduce the reading of God’s word during Worship Services.
My friend, don’t wait until calamity strikes; don’t wait until misfortune knocks on your door before you start searching for God.
Seek the LORD while he is to be found. Call on him when he is beckoning on you to come to Him! He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”(Rev.3:20).
If you miss this opportunity, then wait for the day when you will start going from place to place hungering to hear God’s word as a means of escaping his wrath.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to hide God’s word in my heart so that I won’t sin against him. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
23/02/2025.