A Story to Tell

Henry Ernest Nichol planned to be an engineer, but later decided to study music. Born on this day in 1862 in eastern England, he became involved in that country’s Sunday School movement, frequently writing hymns.

In 1896, when Nichol was 34, his heart was moved by the need to reach the world with the Gospel. He felt that this was a critical goal for every believer and expressed this passion in a hymn called “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nation.”

This story, he wrote, “shall turn their hearts to the right.” It was “a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light.” He knew that Jesus was the answer to the world’s problems, and declared, “For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright; and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.”

It was a story that would lift the hearts of the nations “to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword.” And it was a message to show the world “that God is love” and that people everywhere “might come to the truth of God.”

The nations still need that same message. And the need is urgent! It our responsibility, our duty, our joy to “declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.”

Today, ask God to give you a burden for the nations. Pray for a work of God’s Spirit, that doors would be opened, that eyes would see, and that lives would be changed.