Messages of Grace

Saturday 1, October 2011

Bible Passage(s): Isaiah 58: 9 -12

Memory Verse: Those from you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the

foundations of many Generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of streets to Dwell In. Isaiah 58:12

For those of us who are Nigerians, October 1st is a special day in the life of our nation. On this day we commemorate the independence of our nation from colonial rule. It is a day we see as the beginning of true nationhood for our nation, when we took over the baton of governance from the British and took our destiny in our hands.

However, on days like this, many of us are wont to lament the ills of the nation. How we have substituted colonial rule for subjugation by our brothers and sisters. We see nothing good in the past and we despair greatly for the future. Many have lost hope in the future existence of this nation. What with the recent dimension of terrorism. We are being terrorized by our brothers and sisters. Killing and mayhem are the order of the day! Fear grips the land!

Indeed times like this call for deep soul searching. In particular by those of us who profess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and have received numerous promises about the future greatness of our nation. It is time for us to stand up and fulfill the purpose for which God has called us. God has not called us to live as an island and expect others to make things right. Indeed we all have a purpose in life and a role to play. The situation of things in our nation is a sure evidence of lack of true and real leaders. There is therefore a need for concerted efforts to rescue our nation and its future generations. What are you doing to bring about a change in the situation of things?

I challenge you this month to come out and join in the task to build the old waste places and repair the breach in our nation. Our youths need good role models to follow. Are you one or are you just sitting there blaming everyone else except yourself? If you ‘sit at ease in Zion’, you are part of the problem!

I enjoin you as children of God to come into the fray and play your part. The Lord is waiting for such men and women, who will respond to the call, of Josiah Gilbert Holland:

God Give Us Men (Women):
A time like this demand
Strong minds, great hearts,
True faith and ready hands.
Men (Women), whom the lust of office does not kill,
Men (Women), whom the spoils of office cannot buy.
Men (Women), who possess opinions and a will.
Men (Women), who have honour; men (women), who will not lie,
Men (Women), who can stand before a demagogue
And demand his treacherous flatteries without winking.
Tall men (women), sun-crowned; who live above the fog
In public duty and in private thinking.

May the Lord find you worthy and make you such men and women for our nation in Jesus name, Amen.

The Lord bless and keep you, May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forevermore. Amen.

Do have a wonderful month.