Gospel News — Jan-Apr 2013

no conscience about how they attained to their positions, and have no understanding that they derived these from God and not their own might. That is why there is no peace and security in the times of their rulership.

In contrast, Hezekiah's rule did develop peace and security in the last years of his reign on the throne. In this regard, he considered in his mind what he should render to the Lord for all his benefits. And he put this in writing, Isaiah 9-20.

We, too, can be healed of our suffering in distress and anguish if we develop the same outlook. The psalmist in his sufferings still loved the Lord for his mercy and called on His name. God delivered his soul from death, so he promised to walk before the Lord all his remaining days. He considered his own place before God (Psalm 116:1,4,8,9). God has bestowed upon us countless benefits for this life and future life salvation. Let us offer ourselves a sacrifice of thanksgiving, calling on the name of the Lord through prayers in the courts of the house of the Lord (v17,19), ie in the assembly of believers.

The Meaning of Worship

Bro Itai Tembo (Sanyati, Zimbabwe)

Worship is acknowledging God, praising Him for His greatness and His achievements. It is thanking Him for His love towards us. Worship is reverence paid to God. We should regard Him as sacred and exalted, and admit our endless dependence on Him.

It should be one-to-one with God. It should be deep meditation, not shedding tears publicly for all to see. "Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness: tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, `The Lord reigns'. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity" (Psalm 96:9-10).

Moses had a one-to-one relationship with God while tending the flock (Exodus 3). Abraham spoke to God when God made a covenant with

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him; the angel of the Lord appeared to him. So if we worship him with all our might, He will reward us in due time. Abraham was given a son though he was old.

What lessons do we learn from all this? Listen to these words: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him" (Psalm 34:7-8).

On many occasions Jesus Christ had a one- to- one with God. He would move to a secluded place to pray to God, to worship his Father. One such incident was when he was with his disciples (Luke 22:39-43). In verse 14, he actually withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. He was alone when an angel of God appeared to him.

Let us worship the Father with our hearts and minds and be in deep meditation always.

Living With a Widow

Bro Joshua & Sis Rosemary Kisuya (Ethiopia)

We, Rosemary and Joshua, are on missionary work in Ethiopia for six months from September 2012 to the end of March 2013, God willing. As you can imagine, leaving home, family, friends and everything else and going to a foreign country with a totally different people, language and food is not easy. But the pair of us enjoy it because the Ethiopians have a great interest in the Bible.

The deep-rooted Orthodox religion is dominant and very hard for an older person to change; but young people are prepared to listen. And slowly, very slowly, some middle-aged persons are listening to the truth and beginning to respond to it. In Ethiopia, we so far have 17 brothers but no sisters.

Preaching started before 1998. The unsuitable culture has impeded the spread of God's work here. Ethiopia has never been colonised directly and the development of their civilisation is below average. Their culture does not allow