The Craftsmen are Coming

 Jeremiah, the prophet was troubled and perplexed by the reaction of the hardened children of Israel whom he was sent to bring back to God. Instead of repenting and turning back from their evil ways, they engaged in battle against the servant of God. Out of great bewilderment, he cried out to God acknowledging His almightiness and His ability to deliver. In Jeremiah 32:17-21, 26-27 he recounted how God graciously delivered the children of Israel from the grip of Pharaoh who had vowed to keep them in perpetual servitude and captivity. And God rightly responded and told him that his assertion of Him was true. He is indeed the God of all flesh. God's response is worth noting because there is no situation that's beyond Him. Though He may allow the enemy to do his worst before He shows up. It was intense that the conspiracy against Jeremiah was geared towards taking his life, even with the consent of their king who was bent on having his way which was contrary to the counsel of God for him. They plotted against the true servant of God, but God kept silent and was watching. They even threw him into the dungeon, and later brought him out. They afflicted him unjustly simply because he declared the mind of God to an unrepentant nation wholly given to iniquity and idolatry. God eventually delivered Jeremiah from them, but evil plotters and their king went into captivity in Babylon. Jeremiah was spared and treated nicely, he triumphed in the land.

Similarly, Judah was threatened and troubled by the enemies who conspired to forcefully rule over him. They devised to overthrow him and set an evil king that is not Jehovah over him. This evil was devised by Syria, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah in their wicked alliance against the people of God. But God saw and heard all what they said, though they thought that they have perfected their shrewd scheme against Judah (Isaiah 7:5-7). The divine response  came in verse 7 "Thus saith the LORD GOD, it shall not stand neither shall it come to pass" The enemy also engage in another battle against Judah and will not allow him to rest. In Zechariah 1:18-21, this was another conspiracy against Judah to trouble him. So God decided to wage an holy war against them, and declared that He is sending His army to contend in battle against the troublers of His people. He clearly declared His intention and how He will get rid of those who have constituted themselves  as menace to His people.

"The craftsmen are coming" heavenly carpenters are coming to terrify, fray, scatter and destroy the horns of the nations troubling Judah. God will not keep silent forever seeing His children being harassed, trampled upon, troubled and mesmerized by evil people who have vowed that they will not be lifted up. The craftsmen are coming and right judgment will be served to the enemies of God's children. They are coming against as many who have made themselves enemies of God's children who desperately hate their peace, increase and lifting. If just one angel discomfited and destroyed 180, 000 soldiers of Sennacherib who boasted against Hezekiah, the king, how much more when God sends craftsmen (four carpenters). Obviously, the battle will be fierce against the enemies of Judah assuming one of the craftsmen is designated to the north, another to the south, east and west respectively. None of his enemies will escape. Their judgement will be thorough, detailed for everyone will be duly served and the outcome of divine intervention will be awesome for the children of God (Isaiah 51:3). For God will silence the floods that  lifted itself against His people. For the LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters (Psalm 93:3-4). 

Unknown to Joshua, the high priest, he was clothed with filthy garment, an evil schemed by the enemy of his soul who did not want him to fulfill his priestly role and ministry. He was still standing to perform his normal duties not knowing that he has been de-robed by the enemy who has exchanged his priestly garment with filthy one, if not for divine intervention. God rebuked Satan and re-cloth him (Zechariah 3:1-5). The angel of God stood by to ensure that God's verdict concerning him stands for Satan cannot have the final say. God is still in the business of sending help to the helpless who have been ripped by the enemy of their soul, and that's why He is God. He will assign His angel to carry out His mandate concerning His elect regardless of the fortification of the evil ones against him.

Those who have been spoiling, wasting, devouring and troubling the beloved people of God will receive commensurate judgment. When the flood-like enemies lifted themselves up against the children of God, they often forget that their God is mighty and that He will contend against them to silence their boasting and bragging, destroy their firm grip, evil decisions, confederacy, wiles, wisdom, craftiness notwithstanding (Psalm 94 :16-17, 20-23, Isaiah 33:1-6, Jeremiah 30:16-24). It will only take slight provocation to make the King of kings arise in judgement against the enemies who are assaulting and disturbing His children. If Ahasuerus, an ordinary king of some provinces on earth could arose in wrath according to the book of Esther 7:7, "And the king arose in wrath"....the King of kings will surely arise for He has said that for the sighing of the needy and the cry of the poor He will arise (Psalm 12:5, Psalm 140:12, Isaiah 31:4, 8, Psalm 69:33). The craftsmen are coming to deal with the troublers of God's children and He will surely raise a mighty help for them and deliver them from their spoilers.

O Lord Pass through our Land

 

There is serous desire and plea by everyone particularly the righteous for divine intervention in the land. Knowing assuredly that if God passes through our land, affliction of the righteous will end. Indeed, God is having controversy with many nations and He will plead the case of all flesh (Jeremiah 25:31). The wicked are long due for judgment for the evil which they have committed against the righteous in the land (Jeremiah 9:24, Proverbs 21:10), although some of them have been experiencing pockets of God's wrath. God is God and not a man for when He passes through a land, all the perfected shrewd schemes of the evil people will be aborted (Psalm 33:8-10) and they will be justly rewarded for their evil deeds. Then the righteous will experience relief, they will be released and be remembered for good by the LORD (Psalm 34:15-17). For He is penitent and will surely hear the cry of the godly (Psalm 94:3). He will arise for them against the evil doers. For God still pleads the cause of His people, He is just and He is faithful in judgement.

And Just as it happened when Jesus passed through the land of Samaria and Israel, there were healings, miracles and deliverances from affliction and oppression of the enemy. So the people of God must sincerely raise their hearts to God and cry to Him to pass through the land. The darkness is getting thickened, evil abounding and multiplying at a greater measure, and there is no relief anywhere. Even the government and leaders that supposed to provide succor for the people are adding and complicating the plight of the innocent poor. In the land where the poor are getting poorer, and the rich getting richer, and the leader are fortifying themselves and enriching themselves at the expense of the people they are supposed to cater for. Rather they are happy that people are suffering as they promote laws that will add to hardship of the people, and the welfare, wellbeing and comfort of the people is no longer their concern, so God must pass through our land ( Psalm 82: 8, Proverbs 28:15, Habakkuk 1:4).

Will God continue to look and see the helpless ravished by the wicked, however, nothing will happen until we raise an holy uproar for His intervention. His wrath is already expressed because the evil and wickedness in the land is too much. Many have entered the field of the fatherless, spoil and waste them, not knowing that their redeemer is mighty (Proverbs 23:11). When there is violence, unrest, chaotic and incessant disaster, God must need to pass through the land. When the righteous are ripped and denied of their lawful benefits, God must pass through our land. When the wicked are thriving, using diabolical power to subdue, suppress and manipulate others, God must need pass through the land. The wicked enforcing their will on the poor, helpless and vulnerable and when men by their evil acts daily call for God's wrath, make the voiceless to groan and cry, undoubtedly, God must pass through the land.

The wicked are rising o Lord and the godly are going into hiding (Proverbs 28:12, 28). Woes, heartaches and diseases now characterizes our world. There is selfishness, self-will, satanic wiles and craftiness to lure, cheat and spoil everywhere. The so called powerful are taking the right of the poor from them. The people in the land are mourning, aching, bearing pains unexpressed. Many are heavily burdened to the extent that they are no more talking but just sighing deeply with great sorrow. Human beings and animals are starving to death because of hunger, poverty, bad governance and insurgencies. God has created the wicked for the day of judgement, so we look up to God to pass through our land.  

Ask for the Old Path

 

God deals with man based on His knowledge of him. As He delights to guide and guard, the untamed nature of man always crave to be let loose, experiment and gamble with life (Hosea 8:12). God's instruction that can make man comfortable and peaceful are clearly outlined in the scriptures. And just like the children of Israel who lived in self-will, rebellion and disobedience to God's law and command. They firmly hold dear to idolatry which God forbids and detest. So God raised up Prophet Jeremiah and others to warn them of their erring ways, so that they can retrace their way back and avert His wrath. Unfortunately, they refused to yield and there was nothing else God could do dissuade them from their evil passion for strange gods. God eventually consumed them yet they refused to amend their ways (Jeremiah 5:3). Jeremiah had frankly told them there is no salvation  in any hill or mountain but only in the Lord (Jeremiah 3:23-24), and despite his repeated warnings, they were bent on their ways. They trust in lying and soothing words that will praise and pamper them in their evil ways. They love to be deceived, because they were already deceived and living in self-deceit. Adamant and disobedient, God allowed them to have their way but they bore the consequence of their choice.

So God abandoned them (Psalm 81:11-12), it was disastrous for them because their expectations were not met rather they received wrath and judgment (Proverbs 28:9, 4:15, 19). Solomon in his wise counsel has also admonished in the book of Proverbs 4:4, 22:5, 19:27, 29. But they were full of whoredom and idolatry (Hosea 4:12). They were people given to change who cannot consistently and wholeheartedly follow after God. God was never in their thought but they walked in the imagination of their heart (Jeremiah 9:14). They forsook their devotion, affection and love for God but cling tightly to idols. They bluntly refused God and His instructions given to them through His servant (Jeremiah 44:15). Evil people though in affliction as a result of their sin refused to turn back to God but persist in their evil, revolting and refusing to obey Him (Jeremiah 44:4-5). Who will dissuade them from their evil passion that is constantly bringing untold hardship and judgment from God (Proverbs 29:19). And as they refused to hear nor obey God to walk in His ways (Psalm 78:8, 81:11-12), consequently, His peace and blessings eluded them. Also, their prayers were unanswered (Proverbs 28:9). Yet, God's admonition to them is to follow righteousness (Proverbs 21:21) because the outcome of following is wickedness is clearly spelt out (Proverbs 22:5, 29:1, 1:24-31).

However, God stance remains unchanged. Solomon, the king, in the book of proverbs reiterated the essence of walking in the right path. For there  is a keeping (with understanding and preservation) and discretion for those who walk in the path of righteousness (Proverbs 2:11-13, 20), because only the righteous will dwell safely in the land. Indeed, sound wisdom and discretion are divine gifts that produces life for the soul and adorns with grace (Proverbs 3:21-23, 4:12-13). Besides, it keeps someone on a straight path so that he does not stumble. Though Jeremiah and other prophets raised and instructed by God to warn the children of Israel were forbidden from prophesying and ministering to them (Micah 2:6-7), the word of God and His commands  counted strange to them (Hosea 8:12) but they persisted in obeying God.

And now it is evident that even many preachers, prophets and pastors too need to ask for the old path that the true men of God who had genuine encounter with God trod. They performed raw, visible miracles. Men like Elisha who fed 100 people with 20 loaves of barley who followed the path of Jesus who fed multitude. They were not exploiters but providers meeting the needs of the poor and the helpless (2 Kings 2:4). At another time, Elisha the prophet issued a command to the widow "shut the door behind you and pour the oil into the container"  she did and the oil multiplied. The widow was not put to shame, her needs was met and her sons were not taken. But nowadays, widows are being exploited through fake visions and revelations that often trouble them to the extent they give all that is left with them (money and possession) to the so called prophets of God. A demand is placed on people for God's blessing. Certain amount must be given as an offering or gift to a man God in order to get a particular blessing. This is heresy!

Though the generous woman received a son after Elisha asked her need. However, her generosity was not with the intension to get anything from Him. Remember that her husband was old, she must have lost hope of having any child again. She even told the man of God '' don't deceive me.''  Where then did the child came from? She received a son from the God of Elisha who knows no impossibility. It is God who give people as He pleases, no one can bribe God with gifts. The book of 2 Kings is loaded and it is a good recipe for our modern day flamboyant preachers who need to ask for the old path that commands the true power of God and brings down His glory. 

The savor and spiritual candor is lost because of showmanship and greediness of our modern day ministers who are getting the leprosy of Naaman in the place of service and they can no longer stand in the presence of God. God detests them and He cannot trust them with His true power and glory. Elisha asked Gehazi, Is it time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men servants and maid servants? The church is sick and weak because many leaders have drifted from the old path. Restoring the righteousness and true glory of God necessitate that we retrace our steps back to the old path.

Our Enraged World

 

Living in an enraged world can be really problematic and troubling. Many are furious, sad and daily living in rage against everything and anything that comes along their path. And it is so unfortunate that they do not realize that devil is behind all the chaos going on in the world. Nowhere seem to be truly peaceful and calm. Though some may experience relative peace for a while, but indeed it is not a perpetual one. The issues of insecurity is now trending even in the developed countries, though to some extent they have curtailed this unpleasant activities, yet, they do have issues occasionally with enraged people who go about in shooting spray for no just cause killing innocent people. A lot is going on, many are enraged against the government, economy, their environment even against themselves. The enemy has seriously dealt with our world, and virtually no nation is exempted. Stories of woes everywhere, horrible and terrific incidences, shocking and saddening news flung the newspapers and media, wars, killings, insubordination, violence, rioting and so on are the order of the day.

Oftentimes, when the spoiled realizes his state and wants to take back his possession and regain his rightful position, trouble ensues, because the enemy and wicked who has stolen will not want to give back what was stolen, seized or confiscated unless God intervenes. And so was the case of Ahab. There was no problem until when Ahab remembered that he needed to take possession of Ramoth Gilead from the King of Syria. There is wickedness everywhere, the vulnerable are being exploited, cheated and disinherited. Even the wicked are audacious, vaunt themselves unashamedly declaring that they want to have what belong to the righteous simply because of their previous success in spoiling the innocent ones. But Ahab was warned by God  through Prophet Micaiah not to engage in war with the king of Syria. But his true sense of judgement was beclouded by his 400 prophets who gave him assurance unknown to him that they were operating under the influence of a lying spirit (1 King 22:6, 20-22). 

However, Jehoshaphat could discern that something was wrong by the virtue of his walk with God (1 King 22:5, 7, 2 Chronicles 18:6). So he persuaded Ahab and requested that Micaiah should be brought. The messenger sent to Micaiah  warned him not to do any silly or awful thing and spoil the show because all the prophesies that have gone forth were good. And he too told them what they wanted to hear, but when they insisted, he told them God's verdict concerning their adventure, and this made the king of Israel to be angry against Micaiah and imprisoned him. It is indeed an enraged world where all you get for telling the truth is imprisonment. King Asa too was enraged because of God's prophecy concerning him, and he imprisoned the seer instead of repenting, so Asa died (2 Chronicles 16:7-12). But King Asa you once trembled at God's word when you were confronted and you brought Judah back to God. Your response was remarkable, and you and all Judah benefited from the right action you took then (2 Chronicles 15:1-19). And why can't you apply wisdom now and amend your ways. Is it because this issues only concerns you and not the entire people of the land, and you feel too big to take correction and repent.

Also, Zechariah, the son of Jehoida the priest, after the death of his father warned the children of Judah of their evil ways. They forsook God and served idols and he told them that they will not prosper. They were enraged including the king who masterminded his death (2 Chronicles 24: 21-26). But he told them the blatant truth. People are always enraged when told the consequences of their evil acts. In fact, they complicated the matter for themselves because God cheaply gave them to their enemies. Yet, these are the days when we need the true prophets of God though they are scare and often marked with scars. Zedekiah angrily smote Jeremiah because he did not follow other prophets to tell lies about Israel's captivity. Jeremiah was also imprisoned, cast into dungeon and fed with the bread of affliction (Jeremiah 37:15-21, 38:2-6).

Though perplexed, troubled, enraged and troubled our world may be, this does not move God because He has made known to man what is expected of him, and failure to comply means that man will continue to have horrible experiences in the world. The government are not helping the matters, rather, their evil decisions and actions is making millions of people to groan and cry how long. There is high level of evil sophistication, evil speed and scheme to make the gullible to fall into incalculable error. Many delight in oppression and looking for every available opportunity to cheat, manipulate and suppress others . Poor oppressing the poor is another mystery in our enraged world.  We are in a critical situation that if God does not help our world calamity is looming. 

It is indeed an enraged world where the righteous are being troubled by the enemy who is not happy because they are at peace with their God and making steady progress. Envious enemies plan to overrun them and alter their course. But God is faithful, He will not allow them to prosper in their evil pursuit. When darkness wants to forcefully rule the light and the evil ones want to manipulate, harm and subdue the righteous. And because God will not allow them to perpetrate their evil schemes against His children, they become troubled and enraged (Nahum 1:13). What an evil world! But who can heal this sick and troubled world. It is Jesus. He is the prince of peace who alone can give peace to a troubled heart though many still abhor and passionately hate Him, yet, He is the solution to this embattled world. Man feels secure when he can manage his affairs but gets frustrated when he cannot proffer needed solutions to his pressing needs. He often manifest transferred aggression for his predicaments and unresolved issues. And anyone who mistakenly crosses his path at that time, on such he would pour his wrath and anger. 

But man will continue to languish in pain and no help will come until the prince of peace is involved. Technology, though good has made the situation worse, and from time to time, it reveals the helplessness of man. Having tried medical sciences, neurology, and other discoveries, all these notwithstanding, solution to man's problems seem far away. Who can heal the evil that plague our world, who can clear away the troubles that embitter our soul, it is Jesus, He is the one. But when man gets to his wits end, he will certainly seek for God. The inward hole, an unfilled vacuum that leaves man in great despair can only be filled by Jesus. If we embrace Him who paid the full price for our redemption, submit to His lordship and control, there will be a great turnaround in our world. God has made perfect solution for us, but it behooves each and everyone to ask this from Him.

Crossing the Rubicon-there is no way back

When God redeems a life, it is for a purpose and His intention is that such a person will continue in fellowship with Him. Salvation from sin and acceptance of the Lordship of Christ is not the end of the journey, but a beginning of a journey that is hoped to end with God in eternity. God expects our continued walk and in this He takes delight. No intermittent or in and out is allowed in this journey (Galatians 2:18). And there is no need for fear, anxiety, speculations or reconsideration. Jesus gave a stern warning to His followers because He knew some of them are skeptical and they did not really know what they were putting themselves into, so He needed to tell them that "No one having put his hand on the plow, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62). Solomon, the wisest king also alarmed that we should beware of them that are giving to change. Though many things are changing, the world, its system, people, but God remains constant, He is unchanging and His standard uncompromising for all human race (1 Tim 2:19). It was a crucial matter and Jesus needed to ask His disciples if they too are going back because at a time many could not endure His sayings, but they unanimously answered that they have no where to go for He has the word of life (John 6:60, 66-67). Having crossed the Rubicon, there is no way back. God has decided a lasting journey for His followers which must not end abruptly (Psalm 85:8, 1 John 2:28, 2 Peter 2:20-21). A song writer succinctly puts:

At the cross you knelt and were converted 

Jesus saves your soul that happy day

Now that He has led you from the broad road

Never leave the straight and narrow way

Don't turn around to the things you've left behind

All those bridges you've burned don't try to find

Set your face like a flint and walk right unto the promise land

Don't turn around to the things you've left behind.

Though circumstances of life and situations at times may propel someone to think otherwise. There are personal life challenges, unfavourable economic conditions and the god of this world wants everyone to bow in order to get the crumbs that he offers. Each day presenting its own trouble, the road seem weary and the journey bleak, and the devil in particular is making the journey hard and difficult for the beloved children of God. He programmes various things along our path to dissuade and discourage  finest believers. He does not care about the number of years that you have put into your service and walk with God. His utmost aim is to make one unfit and end the journey to heaven abruptly. There are  many casualties already on the way to heaven. Satan keep placing things to entice, deform, seduce, manipulate and distorts believer's journey knowing fully well that without his trouble we will have a safe and easy passage to our eternal abode. The intensity of his battle against the saints is getting stronger and fiercer as the coming of the Lord approaches. With his threats, he wants us to succumb, be troubled, reconsider our way and turn back. Although the journey may be getting lonesome, wearisome and troubling, but God still comforts the weary and the fainting, and He has promised to give all the necessary support and the needed grace and help that will see us through. For He is the custodian of grace to scale through this evil and wicked world, and in Him we see and receive the light that will brighten our path as we journey day by day (Galatians 2:21, Matthew 28:20).

But we will never back out or turn back from our journey to eternity (Philippians 2:12b, 3:14). Jesus has already forewarned us that in this world, there will be tribulation (John 16:33) because we are opposed to the world and to Satan. But there is an assurance that we should cheer up for He has overcome for us. This is now the time to get closer to God than ever, longing and panting after Him. These are the days when our resolutions and affirmations to love, fear, serve, and follow Him to the end must be firm, strong and resounding than ever (Ephesians 5:15-17). It is our resolve that matters, because devil will continue to do his atrocities, and with his enticing baits will desire to lure vulnerable souls to follow his dictates and destined destructive and pernicious ways. But God wants to succor us and aid us in our hour of need though Satan desperately hates us, and does not want to see us make it to heaven. Henceforth, our prayer will be the wordings of a song-strengthen all the ties that binds me, closer, closer Lord to thee, every bridge is burned behind me, thine I ever more will be.

Going back and forth, Satan accused Job before God, and he troubled him to the extent that he began to curse the day that he was born. And this was simply because Satan wanted him to renounce God. He busy himself every moment hunting for people to throw down. To worsen the situation is the chaotic condition in which the world is right now, and no one truly seem to know the way out. Evil is becoming like a norm and the wicked ones are waxing stronger doing dubious things. And the believers are not exempted from troubles posed by the god of this world. As they desire to live godly and be different, they are tagged, and looked down upon as if they do not belong. And they are truly not of this world though they are in the world. Devil has been permanently defeated on the cross when Jesus declared "It is finished." Jesus paid for the redemption of the souls of all human race to bring us back to God. But Satan is daily seeking and wanting to get back to himself those who have chosen the way of the cross that leads to heaven. Although Peter denied his Lord and master but he repented and wept bitterly, but Judas who betrayed his Lord for 30 pieces of silver was only remorseful but not repentant, he ended up hanging himself (Mark 14:72, Matthew 26:75, 27:3-5). So, as the world beckons, and Satan throw his darts, our flesh weak and almost getting tired of the way, we need to ask for fresh grace and divine cord to tie and bind us closer to God. For our eternal salvation is much closer than when we first believe.

I choose Christ

God has graciously bless mankind with the ability to make choice. And as free moral agent, he can decide on what he wants and how he wants to live his life. God will never enforce His will on anyone though He has made plain the destination of any chosen path. There are those who choose to be children of God, with them God is well pleased. They enter into sonship through Christ Jesus for the bible says "As many that received Him to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name" (John1:12). Hence, they are grafted into the family of God and they enjoy every benefit that belongs to each member of the family. It is needless to say that the glory of God will be evident on them, as God becomes their father, and they His children will radiate His glory and aura. And the truth about their experience borders on their choice, that is the path they have decided to take. They choose and receive Jesus as their Lord, Saviour, Master and King and He in return impart unto them the nature of God, and lavish the blessings and glory that the kingdom of God affords unto them. Aside this, whenever anyone chooses Jesus Christ, he receives and has life, there is a lifting from death and all that produces death to life abundantly in Christ Jesus for He is the giver of life (1 John 5:12).

However, some choose to be slaves of God for so they call themselves. This according to them is a sign of humility, for it is not fit to be called children of God. How can they equate themselves to the level of being called children of God, they feel it is improper but really it is a display of ignorance for God wishes that all to be His children. A slave has limited access and right to the property of the father, only the son does. Blinded by religion, this choice has hindered them to receive from the father of all flesh-their creator and God. Buttressing this, the issue of Abraham who made a mistake by impregnating his Egyptian maid servant Hagar comes to mind. Abraham consented to the suggestion of his wife Sarah who thought she was too old to give him a child and felt that God cannot make good His promise to them (Genesis 16:1-2). But God eventually fulfilled His promise to Sarah (Genesis 18:9-15) and Isaac was born (Genesis 21:1-7). However, Ishmael, the son of the bond woman had grown and was a thorn in the flesh of Sarah together with his mother Hagar. And on two occasions God needed to intervene.  The first occasion was when Hagar despised her mistress and fled (Genesis 16:7-12), the angel of God met her and told her to return and be submissive to her mistress.

Also, in Genesis 21:9-10, on the day that Isaac was weaned, Abraham made a feast for him but Sarah saw Ishmael scoffing. So, Sarah insisted that Abraham should send away the bond woman and her son from Isaac, but this was displeasing to Abraham (Genesis 21:10-12, Galatians 4:7, 31). Abraham obeyed when God intervened and told him to listen to Sarah, so he sent them away. God kept His promise and took care of Ishmael who grew in the wilderness and later became a great nation because he was of the seed of Abraham. There cannot be peace but continuous rivalry which is based on the mentally that they posses. Though Ishmael was circumcised being a token of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:23), yet, he was sent away because he was a son of a slave and he cannot co-inherit with the true son-heir of the covenant (Genesis 21:10,Galatians 4:21-30). God's intervention and response was premised on His covenant with Abraham that only in Isaac his seeds shall be blessed.

Another category are those who choose to be outright enemies of God. They frankly and boldly declare that they hate God expounding their various reasons. These are those who have given themselves over to Satan, they are loyal to him, both in the open and in the private carrying out his orders. They prefer to serve him and wage war against the true children of God. They choose their path and assuredly know that their end can never be with God in heaven. They are opposed to God and His way, and this modern age has helped them to delve into more evil as they seek and search for vanity. Their lord and master (Satan) whom they are devoted to constantly grant their desires giving them wealth, power, positions, and what have you.  They have all the goodies of this world but at the expense of their soul. But despite their achievements, many of them died miserably due to frustration, confusion and depression. After gaining all, yet, they lack true peace and satisfaction. Some unfortunately commit suicide, taking their own lives because they cannot meet the terms of agreement with Satan which they feel is too demanding. Indeed, it is only the yoke of Jesus that is easy and His burden light. And since they are  bounded with oath and covenant under which they feel that they cannot be released, they suffered in silence all through their lives. And those who cannot bear it who are often overwhelmed by the assault and torment of demons and powers of darkness contemplate taking their own lives in order to be free from affliction. But the bible says in Proverbs 20:30 "the blow that hurts cleanse away evil as do stripes the inner depth of heart." Jesus receives the blow on our behalf, and He is the healer of all heart diseases including depression. There is no hope for those seek strange powers. In fact, there will be no solution for man until he turns away from Satan and earnestly seeks God (Isaiah 8:19).

The next category are those who serve idols and other gods that God forbids. God repeatedly warned the children of Israel not to serve the gods of the land of the heathen that cannot deliver them (1 Samuel 7:3-8, 10, Exodus 20:3-5, Psalm 81:9-10, Jeremiah 10:6-11). Some do not even believe that there is any God anywhere, they are their own god. They choose to satisfy and live for themselves. They do what they like as they believe that they cannot obey the commandment of God. But the bible says in 1 Timothy 5:6 that they that live in pleasure are dead while yet they live. And like the sons of Eli who will not yield but are hardened and hard-hearted, not even heeding the voice of the father, because the LORD desired to kill them (1 Samuel 2:25). And as Joshua, the successor of Moses brought the children to Israel to a serious decision making "choose you this day whom you will serve" Joshua 24:15. The offer is also before you today to make a choice, and I want to believe that you have the capacity to choose and do the right thing by the grace of God. 

Unfortunately, some choose this transient world that its creator says will soon pass away with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:9-11). They want everything that the world has to offer. They love to be in vogue, move with the latest trend and be at the centre of world's activities. They love the world's music, politics,  ungodly people and the god of this world-mammon that induce them to have unending desire and cravings for wealth, and God is never in their thought. They only need God when they have problem, and immediately they get solution to their problem, they bid farewell to Him. But the bible repeatedly warned against the love of this world (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17, Proverbs 11:28). God has decided to turn to hell nations that would not serve Him not just individuals (Psalms 9:17). So, anyone may decide to gratify himself with what the world offers, but there cannot be true satisfaction until each and everyone finds his bearing in God. The dainties of this world cannot produce the true joy and happiness that the heart yearns for. Truly, the world has more to lure and charm but I choose Christ according to the song composed by C. Harold Lowden.  Dear friend, if I may now ask, what choice are you making in life-to be a child, slave, an enemy, a god unto yourself, or have you decided to choose this horrible world. You must make a good choice today. 

Is the church ready for revival?

This is a candid question that needs to be asked now as there is no time in the history of the church and in any generation that we have the church so diverse and divided. Even the enemy preys on our division, and he further divides us so that we cannot stand to fulfill the end time purpose. So much is going on, so many denominations, yet, their impact cannot be felt on the nations of the world. There is so much laxity, works and acts of faith are gradually fading out, now it is seeing is believing, no patience in hope, and no free service for things done for the cause of Christ. Everyone seeks to be recognized and rewarded. Some  will even give their gift or render service so that they may be considered for better position in the church. A lot of anomaly and sincerely the tide is changing. It is so serious that in some assemblies everyone is a Christian, so there is no need to preach salvation or check out the basis of the faith claimed by the members of such congregation. Unfortunately, many churches are becoming domains of witches and powerful occultists where exchange and transfer of virtues and destinies of innocent, vulnerable, simple minded and lighthearted ones are steadily going on by both their leaders and other members. But sincere Christians are being discriminated against just like Joseph who was cruelly hated by his brethren for his bogus dreams. And his enemies (siblings) said that they would see what will become of his dreams (Genesis 37:19-20). And many also like Joseph right form inside the church have been stripped of their clothes of many colours (Genesis 37:23). Can Satan cast out Satan was the question Jesus asked the confused and blinded leaders of His days, the scribes who mistook Him for a magician using Beelzebub spirit to cast out evil spirit, and really it is logical as no one will expect Satan to tamper with his own kingdom except he does so in order to deceive people (Mark 3:23-26). And with this state of the church can we truly say that the church is fit for revival. 

Besides, there are evil enforcers everywhere with deceitful heart troubling people with demonic prophesies (Proverbs 17:20a, Exodus 23:6-7). Many also delight in falsehood (both leaders and followers) and this are the days when evil is thriving fast and hypocrites are increasing in the church (Isaiah 9:17-19). But God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah calling those who do the work of the Lord deceitfully cursed. There are those also who are bargaining and trading their souls for lies unlike Agur,the son of Jakeh,whose utmost desire before his death is removal of all falsehood. The high priest were unhappy with the exploits of the Apostles after the riddance of lies and falsehood in  Acts 5:17-19. Yet, the truth cannot be bound (verse 25), and that was why Gamaliel carefully advised his council mate to  leave the disciples (verse 38-39). Since it is God's prerogative to decide how judgement will be served. And if God is not pleased with Peter bringing judgement on sin, He would not have allowed his shadow to heal the sick afterwards (Acts 5:1-11, 14-15, Proverbs 1:17-19). Yet, there are those who do not want God's judgement but they persistently do things that will bring His wrath on them. 

Many are truly poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity like Simon, the sorcerer who instead of repenting of their evil and pernicious ways would not but will like to subtly manipulate the anointed of God to get what they are not qualified to carry (Acts 8:23-24). Intense and horrible manipulation is going on everywhere even in the church and this is a serous sign of witchcraft. Evil and dubious persons hiding under the canopy of the church, pretending to be holy and righteous but they can do anything just to get money and fame. They are so desperate for position and recognition,they are mainly in the church to use it as avenue to amass wealth. Truly, many are filled with the eastern ways (Isaiah 2:5-6). For some, they just want to be heard despite the fact that they have nothing meaningful to say while the bible says  A fools voice is known by many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3b, 9:17). The church is in a serious state of dilemma and can she win her battles this way? I want to believe your answer is No just as mine. Can she be ready for revival in this condition. The church is likened to God's disheartened vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-4, though planted, pruned, watered, yet, it brings forth wild grapes while God's expectation is for her to produce good fruit. And we know that bible affirms that the fruit of the Spirit is exhibited in goodness, righteousness and truth, and when these traits are not found there is problem (Ephesians 5:9, Romans 14:17)). And since there is a charge to reprove every activity of darkness and expose them, we cannot be partakers with evildoers bearing evil fruits (Ephesians 5:13).

 Many are taking God for granted saying we are in the time of grace and they can do anything that they like. But grace is not liberty for sin, rather it is the divine enablement to do what pleases God. We do often forget that this same God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but spared only Lot and his family (Genesis 19:12, 17, 24). He had also destroyed the entire then world he created but spared only Noah and his family (Genesis 7:1-24). The same God is still in control of the whole universe and He can do as he pleases to this wicked world. It seems we are not conscious of the fact that if not for Jesus intercession for us before the father, the judgment of God on us could have been worse. We have permitted darkness long enough but with the emergence of the true light-Jesus beaming in our hearts, the church must realize that now she must put on the armour of light, walk circumspectly, and cast out all pollutions in order to fully put on Christ (Romans 13:12-14). Hezekiah's plea to the Levites resonates his desire for thorough purging and cleansing of the temple. He urged them to "carry out the rubbish from the holy place" (2 Chronicles 29:3-5, 11-15). Then, after repair, offering and observance of Passover, further reforms began in the land (2 Chronicles 31:1). It is the cleansing of the church that must precedes revival and God's outpouring. There is so much dross to purged form the church today before we can experience revival (Isaiah 1:15).

Hence, God's intervention for thorough cleansing must be sought as He promised. God was personally involved in the process because of the horrible state of the people of Israel (Isaiah 1:21-27). He will undertake the issue of cleansing and purging of the church because the reproach of the church must be taken away, and it is indeed the reproach of the nations. The church cannot help the world and be a blessing to the  nations if she is unclean. However, there is an obligation for the church during this process of cleansing to be submissive under the pruning hands of God, and like a wife who she is (bride of Christ) to her husband in all things. Because Jesus, the husband is to present the church-His bride chaste, spotless, and holy without any wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). The church must be truly devoted to Him. Total submission to the Lordship of Christ is a basic necessity after cleansing before the outpouring and revival that the church so much desire (Isaiah 32:15-20, 33:14-16).

The anointing and the anointed

When God anointed David as the king over Israel, immediately battle started. No one knew him when he was in the wilderness fighting lion and bear that wanted to kill his father's flock. God groomed him in the secret and made him well prepared to lead His flock, the children of Israel, and to be army who will later fight the battles of the LORD. His preparation was uniquely based on his experiences and all that he encountered from childhood. He was not cared for by his father and this showed when his father could not remember to mention his name among his sons when Samuel asked for his children. David was completely out of his mind, and this evidently showed that David was on his own, if not for the LORD of Host that was with him. Though he was secretly anointed, but the battle he needed to fight for God to give him prominence was an open one. Nothing was hidden again to him, his anointing and victory over the enemy who despised the army of the Lord, Goliath of Gath, brought him more trouble and trauma  than he expected. From one enemy to another, battle to battle, but the LORD of Host was with him and his victory was sure. Then Saul, the king of Israel, rose up  against him and became his arch enemy because of his victory over Goliath.

And when Saul died, one would think that an end has come to his battle but not at all. Though the bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:8 that there is a time of war and a time of peace, but for David, the anointed, it seems to be an unending time of battle. Also, the bible affirms in Psalm 46 verse 8.....that the Lord makes the war cease to an to an end, but little did David know that God's anointing on him attracted more enemies, he on the contrary was inviting more seemingly unconquerable enemies, but his God eventually defeated them all and gave  him victory and rest (1 King 5:4). Still new in his office as the king of Israel, gathering himself together to oversee the people of God, with enormous task to undertake for himself and the people of God he was leading. Yet, the Philistines were all out after him. The wicked lying in wait at the dwelling of the righteous (Proverbs 24:15). The wicked plot against the righteous, seek accomplices to perfect their evil work (Proverbs 1:10-19) not knowing that they are paving way for their own destruction. 

There was an evil mobilization, an unusual alliance and demonic rage against the anointed of the Lord. And it seemed as if they were all idle and not engaged with any meaningful thing. They encouraged themselves against just one man. The bible records it that when the Philistines-a whole nation heard that David was anointed as king over Israel, all the Philistines went out to search for David. An unholy arousal began amidst the enemy of God, propelling them to fight against the anointed and chosen servant of God. But it was not unusual that such should be expected. It was simply because they were intimidated by his new office though he had not yet gone out against them in any battle (1 Chronicles 14:8-9, 15). But it was obvious that they were mindful of their pitiable condition- that David being king over Israel will curtail their dominance over Israel. So, before he would venture to attack him, they decided to quickly combat him. But on his side was God. David trusted in God and received clear instructions from Him, and this was  the secret of his success in all the battles of his life. David would always ask for guidance from God so that he would not waste his energy on battles that God could easily fight for him. No need for him to struggle as he was greatly helped by God. 

God dictated when and where he went throughout all the battle he fought in his lifetime. At a time, God told him...."when you hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees.... (1 Chronicles 14:15). The sound of the host of Lord that went before him into the battle, then, you go and attack the Philistines. God's host goes before his anointed, and the anointing over him always give him unique victory over any kind of foe. He did not just act presumptuously in warfare. How could David have defeated many people mightier and stronger than him if not for the anointing of God upon his head. He took 20, 000 of his enemies' soldiers and hamstrung their chariot horses (1 Chronicles 18:3-5). And when Hanum and the people of Ammon hired chariots and horsemen against him from Mesopotamia, Syria, Macaah and Zobah, they were all disconfitted before the anointed of the Lord both the helper and the helped because the anointing will always make the difference (1 Chronicles 19:6-9, 17-19).  Unlike the children of Israel who presumptuously went to dislodge the inhabitants of the land God promised them after they initially hesitated to go though forewarned by God through Moses that they should not go. But they went and the occupants of the land pursued them out and they fled.

There is perplexity and grim on many faces because of increased pollution both physical and spiritual everywhere and the world is becoming tougher and unsafe to live in. Issues around the world and the nations are unpleasant. Rifts, war, destructions, confusion, cheating, suppression, apparent disregard and disrepute for anything attached to God. The wicked and evil ones wanting to forcefully suppress and hold back the godly, they want to conform them to their own dictates and design. Truly the world is going insane after evil and who will tame this uncultured world and bring it back to its senses before it is too late. Horrible and weird things are going on among the youth even the children and adults are not exempted. The wicked are becoming more wicked experimenting with lives and properties of the vulnerable, wasting and destroying precious things. They do not seem to care and fear God and desist from evil. Rather success in one evil is leading them to adventure into more evil and wickedness, and the land is polluted with blood. The evils of our days are terrible and unimaginable as many are filled with the eastern ways just as the scripture says. Yet, the mandate of God is to defend the fatherless and rebuke the oppressors as David did. David was used by God to put an end to the oppression of the Philistines against the children of Israel which had been going for long time unchecked. God never intend that any of His children should be mesmerized by the evil ones but to be delivered from their grips through the instrumentality of His anointed ( 1saiah 9:4-7, 1 John 3:8, Jeremiah 1:10, Ezekiel 7:13).

It took Moses, God's anointed servant to disgrace the gods of Egypt, he disarmed the charmers of Pharaoh and discomfited his magicians. They came out boldly and told Pharaoh "this is the finger of God."  For who can contend with Him in battle or who has hardened himself against God and prospered. God is still God and no power can take His position or have its hold on the lives of His children. He proves His supremacy as He rendered the gods of Egypt impotent when He led His people out with an outstretched arm (Deuteronomy 26: 8,11:4,  Exodus 7:3). Shortly after they left Egypt, the children of Israel on their way to the promised land, pitched their tents and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of Jordan across from Jericho when Balak, the king of Moab sighted them. So, he engaged the services of Balaam to curse them for him. The evil one monitoring and plotting against the people of the Lord. Balaam instructed Balak to erect altars which he did three times, but on these three occasions, they could not carry out their evil schemes against them (Numbers 23:1-4, 8-11, 23:13-15, 19-26, 24:3-9). Evil coalition, reinforcement, confederacy, conspiracy, association, alliance, bond, agreement, networking, regrouping, fortification, cunning craftiness and alignment notwithstanding cannot sustain the enemies of God's anointed  for long against His anointed people because their God is with them to defend them (Psalm 114, 118, Isaiah 27:4, Proverbs 11:21, 31, Numbers 25:16-18). And now, Jesus Christ, the anointed one has come and has won for us total victory when he disarmed principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). Haleluyah !!!

The paradigm shift (b)

At a time in Israel when Elisha was the prophet, Samaria was besieged by Benhadad the king of Syria and his army (2 Kings 6:24-33). Then, the situation grew worse and became intense to the extent that women were killing and eating their own children because of the great famine that was in the land. Further problem ensued between two particular women who have agreed to the killing and eating of their children. One was loyal, she released her child as promised and they killed and ate him, but when it was the turn of the second woman to release her child to be killed so they could eat him, she failed to release him. So, the first woman whose child was killed and eaten did not hesitate to cry out to the king for his intervention because she felt cheated, and when she realized that despite all her effort she was on the losing side, she informed the king who himself was helpless about her plight. Unfortunately, she pressed the wrong button; the response of the king was shocking though worth noting, for he said "If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or from the wine press?" A helpless king needing help himself yet thronged by helpless folks, but he would not be self-deceived, he quickly made it clear to the woman that he was not the right person to solve her problem. Still unfortunately today, hopes and expectations of many are in man whose breath is only sustained by God. It is only a fool who puts his confidence in man even God declares woe on such (Jeremiah 17:5, Isaiah 30:1-2, 31:3). Then the king tore his garment (2 Kings 6:30), a sign of despondency, worthlessness and helplessness. And in humiliation, he passed by the wall, and the people looked at him for he had sackcloth (mourning garment) on. Apparently, the king was sad about the condition of his people whom he could not help and was desperate for solution, the people too pitied him though they could not help him.

If is God at work, then it is needless to turn to man for help or assistance. How can a mere mortal stop the almighty? The enemy mounting a siege and people eating their own children were both curses pronounced by God in Deuteronomy 28:52-53, 57, hence, it is only God who can avert the situation if the people will call upon Him and ask for His mercies, and if they will take appropriate steps towards removing sins that could possibly be the reason for their trouble. But both the king and the people had sought wrong solutions for solving their problems, and that made it more chaotic and troubling. The king wanted to kill the man of God while the women thought it was a good bargain to kill and eat their own children though they later realized that it was not. It is even a curse to eat your own child; it is absurd, quite abnormal. Yet, no amount of human skill, effort or scheme can equate God's intervention. Man may try but his expertise will only earn him failure and futility, because the best of man is not a match with God! When men's heart fail them, there is only one way out of their predicament and that is God and God alone. And when God is involved, He proffers a lasting solution to any problem. But the wicked will not want to comply with divine terms, this simple remedy he will not want to do but will prefer to cut corners, dodge the issue of repentance and forsaking of sins, therefore, his wickedness will continue to hunt him. He will even prefer to get quick solution through demonic means and satanic manipulations, however, since God is not in it, it will never last, though it may seem a perfect solution but it is only superficial and temporal, only what God does will remain forever (Ecclesiastes 3:14). How many dare God today entering into evil unions and covenants, making bargain with Satan and his hosts, delving into witchcraft, occults and the likes instead of asking for mercy and forgiveness of sins that could be the reason for their plagues and siege from the enemy. Instead, man has devised cunning ways to circumvent the judgment of God thinking within himself that he can go scot free. 

So the king with burning rage sent his messenger to kill Elisha. His aggression was wrongly channelled as he wanted to exterminate the major voice of God in the land of Israel at that time. And certainly, that was not the solution; his needless effort to attack the man of God while leaving undone what he should have done. Instead of asking Elisha for God's mind about the situation and possible instruction, rather he schemed to kill him; yet, he had no idea of the solution to the problem. But when Elisha knew about his plot against him, he hid himself from the wrath of the king who wanted to cut off his head. However, before he went into hiding, he told the elders sitting in his house "Do you not see how the son of this murderer has sent someone to take away my head? Look, when the messenger came, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?.........and the king said, and why should I wait for the LORD any longer?" When the wicked hunt after the righteous to kill and destroy him just as the king sent his messenger to kill Elisha, he will never realize that he is compounding his problem and calling for further wrath and judgment of God. If it had not pleased God to eventually intervene through His servant, the prophet the situation would have gone worse. Jesus declared woe on the evil people of His days that they were those who kill the prophets sent to them (Matthew 23:29-37, Luke11:47-51), still they came with clubs to arrest Him (Matthew 26:55). Evil will continue to abound as the agents of darkness fortify themselves to oppress the righteous and manipulate the godly in order to have their evil wishes and desires granted and done. But a charge was given not to walk as the gentiles walk in the futility of their minds (Ephesians 4:17-19).

Saul, the first king in Israel was rebellious against God who had also forsaken him, but he thought within himself that he was engaging in a godly act and not a disservice by sending out the mediums, sorcerers, spiritists and the likes from the land (1 Samuel 28:3). And after the death of Samuel because God will no longer communicate with him, he requested again for the mediums whom he had just driven out (1 Samuel 28:3b, 5-7). Since he could no longer have contact with the God of heaven who chose him to become a king over His people, he disguised himself, the deceived and deceiver both later could not be hidden  (1 Samuel 28:9-13). Saul who would not listen to Samuel and obey God's command through him while he was alive found it comfortable and pleasant to hear from demon conjured from the earth having the form of Samuel. At least, if he could not receive from the God of heaven he could consult a séance because he needed direction regarding his battle with the Philistines. However, despite his effort, he did not receive a good message but he comforted himself by the persuasion of his servants who urged him to eat his last meal from a séance (1 Samuel 28:22-25). When someone fails to hear God, he would be receptive to Satan who operates with no mercy. So many are hesitant to take steps that will advance their relationship with God; they make light things most important and precious and trivialize essential issues regarding their relationship with their maker. Yet, man cannot be left in a vacuum, it is either he is of God or of Satan.

It is obvious that when the sanctuary and the people of God are desolate, His priests, saints and servants must beg for His mercies (Daniel 9:14, 17-19), for sins bring reproach (Daniel 9:16). Man has only one thing to do and that is to repent and align his ways with God as God will not bend His will for anyone. Man needs to diligently search out his errors, omissions and wrong doings, beg for God's mercies, forsake his evil ways and be willing to do God's dictates. For God still commands everyone everywhere to repent (Acts 3:19, 17:30). And as God is wrapping up His end time agenda for the world, the devil is also doing his own. The battle is getting tougher and harder because as the Lord is longing to get man's attention, Satan on the other hand wants to forcefully lay claim on him too. There is already a shift in the spirit and God will not struggle with those who wants the devil to control them because of the fringe benefits he promised them. However, the wisest thing to do because of the imminent judgment is to quickly get on the Lord's side. Although many may believe that God is not mindful or see the evils they are perpetrating, even the wicked elders in Israel were deceived to believe so (Ezekiel 8:12, 9:9), but God will soon frustrate their counsel and bring swift destruction on them unless they repent.

 

The paradigm shift

Believers are yet to be seen as trouble shooters like Paul the Apostle (Acts 24:5) and this is an express indication that we are not yet ready for revival. And truly many do not desire it and it is certain that they cannot experience it. Why do we have so much confusion and pollutions all around even in the church? It is simply because the Holy Spirit has been relegated to the back seat. Anytime and anywhere there is heat, the viper will come out. Just don't set the fire if you don't want to see the viper. The handiwork of viper, a venomous beast as seen in the case of Paul at Malta quickly comes to mind (Acts 28:3-6). Though the literal fire brought out the viper that they expected to kill Paul, but when they saw the true fire that comes from God operating in him, and what it can do, the same people who expected evil to befall him called him a god as they had a change of mind. Jesus had aforetime prophesied what will happen to the disciples and the latter day saints (Matthew 10:17-24). If they did the same to Jesus, obviously His followers should not expect anything less (Matthew 10:23a, 25b-26). Though He commanded them to flee, yet, they are safe and secured with the master, hence, no need for fear, hiding or denying Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33, 39). And though storm may rage, there may be troubles and perplexity while serving just like Paul, the Apostle encountered, the sure encouragement was "for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me" (Acts 27:25, 34) attesting to the words of Jesus that the hair of the heads of the disciples are numbered (Matthew 10:30-31). Jesus also after he had just finished preaching and performing miracles went to pray (Matthew 14:14-23), but the wind went contrary (Matthew 14:24) and the boat was in the middle of the sea. But nothing could stop the master, so, He began to walk on the sea. The devil meant harm because it did not cease boisterous even when He bided Peter too to walk on the water. He almost sank when he looked away from Jesus to the waving sea (Matthew14:28-31), but the wind later ceased when they got into the boat and seeing the miracle, the people acknowledged that He is the son of God (Matthew 14:32-33).

Micaiah, the prophet was persuaded to speak encouraging words like other prophets who said good things, but all of them without exception told lies (2 Chronicles 18:10-12, 14). However, Micaiah did not follow other prophets to tell lies but he frankly declared to the king the mind of God, though hated (2 Chronicles 18:6-7), but, a vessel of God's judgment to erring king (2Chronicles 18:13, 15-21). So cunning Ahab disgusied himself and went to the battle ignoring the counsel of God through Michaiah, he was eventually killed by a straying bow (2 chronicles 18:33). There is a shift in several places all over the world, and though many are rebelling against the light (the true light-Jesus)and doing what they please, yet, God in heaven will not be silent (Job 24:13-14, 21, Isaiah 5:15-16). Job acknowledged that the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil and wickedness, and that coming to this conclusion ensures true living. But whenever man disobey the words of God, he opens himself up for terrible destruction oftentimes with no remedy expect he repents and amend his ways (Jeremiah 42:13-16, Ezekiel 11:19-21). God's judgment is unleashed when divine expectations are unmet (Luke 13:6-9). Whenever innocent blood is shed, God does not overlook or pardon evil perpetrators because the shed blood cries out to God for justice (2Kings 24:4). Then God executes judgment among His people in anger (Ezekiel 5:15) and in fury and with furious rebukes because of the crimes of blood in the land (Ezekiel 7:23-27). The most unfortunate thing is that when God releases His wrath, it affects the righteous too who fail to stand up for the nation to breach the gap (Ezekiel 21:3-4, 9:4), and it is always disastrous as destruction and desolation results. 

To avert the wrath of God, there is just one sensible thing to do. Like Job, a man recokened righteous by God, yet, he would not be presumptious but asked for God's dealing and intervention putting himself under serious constraints, begging for God's mercy (Job 6:24, 9:14-15). Knowing that repetition is for emphasis, Isaiah 2:11 was repeated in Isaiah 2:17 and this infers that no highminded will survive it. For He God will be a swift witness against the agents of darkness (Malachai 3:5). In Deuteronomy 32:10-12, Moses recounted what God did for Israel how He sheltered them when there was no strange god in them, but later He needed to hide himself from them because they have followed stranged gods and demons (Deuteronomy 32:15-17, 32:20b). How can they do what displeases God and still seek His favour? That is not possible for God cannot be sided with evil. Then comes the wrath and judgment of God on His people, His predetermined counsel against their evil (Deuteronomy 32:24, 32:39-43). At another time, Judah sinned (1King 14:22-24), so God instigated the king of Egypt against Judah to spoil her. The treasures of the Lord's house (gold and silver) were removed but Rehoboam replaced the gold shield with bronze (1King 14:25-27). But how can we equate the quality of gold with bronze; besides, he would not leave them permanently there in the temple, all these treasures has to be carried in when needed and out after use (2 Chronicles 12:9-12, 1King 14:28), though they were not completely destroyed, yet, they suffered for their evil.

But if anyone professes to have Jesus, there must be a shift, a divine lifting from death and all that it produces to abundant life in Christ Jesus who alone is the source and giver of life (1 John 5:12). The revelation and manifestation of Jesus is to take away sins (Matthew1:21, 1 John 3:5). Hence, anyone who claims to have encountered God does not live for himself but for God (2 Corinthians 6:15). Living in reverent fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and this Solomon advocated for, Job also alluded to it that it is the wisest thing to do (Proverbs 16:16, Job 28:28). It behooves everyone therefore to esteem God's fear above any otber thing (Amos 5:15, 23-24). Another issue needing a paradigm shift relates to our abiding in Christ. In the gospel according to John chapter 15 verses 2b, 4-5,Jesus himself declared that He will take away any branch in Him that does not bear fruit. However, it takes someone who constantly abides and is attached to the vine to bear fruit. He alone can grow, multiply and have great achievements just as it happens in the natural. No branch can stay alive for long by itself or multiply without its attachment to the stem from where it receives nourishment that comes from the root. Even the children of Israel did not promise to blindly follow Joshua, they gave him a condition which must be fulfilled before they can follow and obey him. And the condition is-if the Lord God Yeshua is with him (Joshua 1:16-17, Hosea 11:10-11,Colossians 2:5b). Apparently, there is problem of identity crises now as supposed believers do not reflect Christ whom they proclaim to know and worship, and no amount of explanation will suffice. And basically there is no way anyone can resemble Him whom he does not relate with, or have any close link or contact with, so the real problem is that many do not know him so they cannot abide in Him.

The humble-the lifted (c)

For whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted Luke 14:11.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth spoke as she welcomed Mary. The baby also leaped in her womb and that signalled something glorious about to happen. Mary had just been visited by God and she needed affirmation and consolidation of what God was doing in her, seeking a godly repose and someone to share her current unusual experience with though initially troubled at the saying of the angel, but later got encouraged when she learnt about Elizabeth's conception. She decided to visit and intimate Elizabeth with the new things going on in her life though strange, unimaginable, yet real experiences the duo were going through. Elizabeth too carrying her bundle of joy needed someone to share with since Zachariah, her husband was mute as a result of his unbelief when the angel announced the birth of their child. These handmaids in God's hand were undergoing divine visitation and surprises, He fashioned them as He pleased, one too old to have a child yet conceived, the other, a virgin who conceived a child without sexual relationship with any man. Truly they were both experiencing wonders and needed to give support, comfort and encouragement to one another knowing that the miracles in their bodies could only be by God. Both of them in high ecstasy, yet, at this time the Holy Spirit was emphatic about the issue of pride knowing it was an opportune time when they'll embrace and communicate what God was doing in them. At this crucial moment Mary lend a voice to the lot of the proud. Her utterances were not all premeditated but it came from the Holy Spirit. The song of Mary in Luke 1:52-53, "He has shown strength with His arm, He scattered the proud in the imagination of  their heart. He put down the mighty from their throne and exalt the lowly,"  God is never at any time prodigal with His grace and gifting. Though He is ever mindful of His covenant promises, yet, man must know his limit and boundary. And when God explicitly demand anything from us, we must be cautious enough to approach it with all seriousness.

Many so called mighty who exalt themselves against God have been pulled down. A notable example is the proud Herod who was eaten up by worms when he would not give glory to God. His account found in the book of Acts 12:21-24 is still shocking and fearful, "So on a set day Herod arrayed in a royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied." His judgement came swiftly and brought increase to the work of God. This evil king had wronged God by harassing His people and by ordering the killing of His saint-Apostle James, afterwards, he proceeded on an evil mission to show his prowess and he imprisoned Peter who was scheduled to be killed but God delivered him (Acts 12:5-17). And because Peter was miraculously released, he killed the guards assigned to watch him (Acts 12:19). Then, on one of his good days when he was praised by the people, he arrogated God's glory to himself and to show his nothingness, God did not give it a rethink but permitted His angel to struck him. No one can stand in God's place and go free for God will never share His glory with anyone. Herod behaved wickedly and if God had not exterminated him, he would do more harm to the believers. Herod did not go free for his evil acts neither will anyone does (Malachi 3:15, 4:3, Jeremiah 2:34-37, Ezekiel 21:26b-27). Job also noted God's judgment on the proud (Job 40:11-12), their right due from God who fully repays the proud (Psalm 31:23) and renders just recompense as His saints plead before Him (Psalm 94:2).

Prophet Jeremiah and Obadiah both alluded to God's distaste for pride and His judgment on the proud (Jeremiah 49:16, Obadiah 3-4). When God comes swiftly against the proud, there is nothing anyone can do about it. Belteshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar will not learn form the his father's experience but vaunted himself because of his greatness. He ordered for the vessels of the Lord's temple to drink wine together with his lords (Daniel 5:1-3). Then came the handwriting on the wall which marked the end of his reign. God will no longer condone his excesses; consequently, he was slain and was replaced by Darius that same night (Daniel5:23-30). But before his death, Daniel was sent for to interpret the handwriting on the wall. Daniel warned him of the imminent danger but he took it lightly, "But you his son, Belteshazzar have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and your lords, your wives and concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hands and own all your ways, you have not glorified"  Instead for him to repent of his pride and amend his ways, he did not but he had time to honour Daniel (Daniel 5:18-23, 29). Man cannot contend with God; he cannot contend with him who is mightier than He (Ecclesiasts 6:10b). God detest the proud (Psalm 101:5b), He tolerates only the humble but the proud He sees afar (Psalm 138:6).

Jesus cited pride as one of the sins that disqualifies and defiles a man (Mark 7:22). He even gave a parable about the danger of pride to those in the house of the rulers of the Pharisee when He saw how they chose the best seats for themselves (Luke 14:7-11). The crux of the matter was His summary in verse 14 "For whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted " John the beloved remarked that pride is not of God, it is of the world (1John 2:16-17), and its evil effect is ravaging and tearing our world apart. Also, Paul, the Apostle listed pride among the sins on which the judgment of God will be meted in Romans 1:30. Evidently, this evil called pride characterizes our modern-day Christianity as Paul the Apostle noted in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 and truly many are proud, boastful, haughty, headstrong, fake, often seeking undue attention and recognition in order to gain acceptance. But the bible clearly commands that from such we must turn away. Never to mingle with the haughty ones so as not to have their evil rub on us. It was a strict command given to us the latter-day saints by Paul because the proud will grow worse and worse and they can cause someone to stumble and fall as it happened to Ephraim, Israel and Judah (Hosea 5:5). Little wonder God himself emphatically said,"I abhor (hate, detest) the pride of Jacob. For the bible says, "The LORD God has sworn by Himself. The LORD God of hosts says, I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hates his palaces; Therefore, I will deliver up the city and all that is in it" Each and everyone who desires to walk with God must be humble. For it is better to whole heartedly rely on God being patient and of a humble heart than being proud and of a haughty spirit (Ecclesiasts 7:8).

Many times, proud people think they are wise but really, they are not and because they cannot submit to learn, they fall and display folly. It is good to be humble than being puffed up with pride (1 Timothy 3:6), and since there is nothing anyone can gain from pride, it only brings shame and reproach. Its associates are humiliation and dishonour and that is the reason why many Old and New Testament servants of God frankly talked against it. However, humility still remains a basic requirement for man from God (Micah 6:8). The psalmist declared in Psalm 18 verse 27 that God will save the humble people but He will bring down the haughty look. Habakkuk, the prophet also says, Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him" (Habakkuk 2:4a). Hence it is needful to avoid self-praise, undue magnification and compliments since there is no justification for it (Proverbs 27:2) because only the humble who does not regard the proud will be blessed by God (Psalm 40:4).

The humble-the lifted (b)

God lifts up the truly humble. He specializes in exalting and raising those that are bowed and trodden down by the enemies (Isaiah 51:22-23). He desires to be God in their lives and because He is God, therefore, He avenges and pave way for their unbeatable emancipation through glorious lifting such that everyone will know that this is God at work. For instance, though Hannah was battered by her rival but when God decided to favour her, she received mercy to be the mother of a re-known priest in Israel. And her testimony rightly attest to it in 1 Samuel 2:3, 7b & 8. He is a boundless (limitless) God and when He decides to raise up those who are low, no one can query His audacity! When God decides to be gracious as Hannah remarked, He will lift up the beggar from the dunghill and makes him seat with the princes of His people. Because He alone lifts up, therefore the humble are lifted to safety. But He knows the proud afar off and He would not want to have any dealing with the lofty ones. This is the season for the humble souls as God never forgets any. The world system may do because it is not even tailored towards accommodating the lowly, poor, insignificant, and the needy. It is geared towards keeping pace with the seeming achievers and the lifted. No true place, consideration and meaningful provision is made for the lowly and if someone is not in the rat race such is often left out. But God showcases the lowly in their due season when selection of grace speaks for them.

With divine response the remnant of God's people are accommodated according to the election of grace (Romans 2:2-22. Yet, He warned that gentiles should not boast because God has graciously received them knowing that they are not qualified neither are they in His original plan. But He deliberately decided to accept them in order to woo Israel back to Himself (Romans 11:11), hence, there is no need for boasting or pride else they would be cut off (Romans 11:17-18. Though the Israelites were once cut off so that the gentiles can be grafted in, however, there is need for caution for those coming in else they may not be spared too (Romans 11:19-21). So, Paul, the Apostle, warned the gentile believers to beware because if God abandon the children of Israel in order to graft them in, they better not be pompous lest He spare but cut them off (Romans 11:22). Considering his stern warning in verse 20, "Do not be haughty but fear" Actually, nothing calls for pride because in the first instance, we are objects of His mercy, so why boasting as if we are the original olive plant, but we need to remember that we are grafted in only by grace. Grafting is an agricultural practice whereby a scion is inserted into a small hollow part of a tree. The graft has no root or branches of itself  but it sprouts after receiving nourishment from the main plant, so why boasting? And that is why Paul, the Apostle, further warned against pride in Romans chapter 12 verse 16. James also buttressed the fact that God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The gross sin of fleshly kind and sins of higher spiritual level are pride, self-confidence, refined unbelief, high mindedness, arrogance, worldly lust and these are very destructive and cannot be overlooked.

The Psalmist remarked that God will only guide and lead the humble (Psalm 25:9), but the proud are cursed because they strayed away from His commandment (Psalm 119:21). They also have God's judgment looming on them (Isaiah 5:15-17, 25:10-12). Isaiah's prophetic declaration of the day of the Lord against the lofty whose hearts are lifted up further reveals God's intent to deal with the proud ( Isaiah 2:11-12, 17, 19, 21&22). He therefore counselled that everyone should severe from a proud person whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he? As long as he has his breath in his nostrils and his breath can only be sustained by God,  he is nothing and he can never be equated with the Almighty. Even Jesus did not spare the scribes and Pharisees of his days. He gave a sober teaching on humility to these erring leaders because He detested their proud outlook and disposition (Matthew 23:2-12). For Jesus Christ our Lord is our perfect example of humility as recorded it in Philippian 2:5-11. Paul, the Apostle noted in his epistles to the Corinthians while admonishing them on what real love will never do (1 Corinthians 13:4b-5), genuine love is not proud and it is not puffed up. Also, in his admonition he charged the churches to seek spiritual gifts mainly for the edification of the church and not for boasting or bragging (1 Corinthians 14:12, 37, 1 Timothy 6:4, Philippians 2:3).

The bible is littered with examples of proud people and their aftermath. Amaziah was a king at a time in Judah, he conquered Edom and his heart was lifted up. His pride over his little success made him ignore the counsel of the king of Israel who carefully warned him in order to dissuade him (2 Kings 14:7-9, 14, 2Chronichles 25:11-12, 17-24), yet, he challenged Israel to battle despite Jehoash candid advice that " stay at home for why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall-you and Judah with you?" Eventually, Amaziah was captured by the king of Israel who also emptied and stripped naked the house of God (2 Chronicles 25:23-24). Yet, Uzziah his son failed to learn from his father's error but his heart too was lifted up. During the days of Zechariah, Uzziah sought the Lord and he prospered as long as he sought the Lord. Uzziah was marvellously helped by God, in fact, verse 15 is worth noting because he became an unusual king who received divine help till he became very strong. God also helped him to fight all his enemies (2 Chronicles 26:5, 7-15). But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction as he went ahead to do what was not his duty to do. And he would not listen despite the priest's plea to him. Instead, he was furious and unbending, so he became leprous until the day of his death (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). But Jotham his son who succeeded him had learnt his lessons, he would not want a repeat of what happened to his father and grandfather. Though he too was mighty because he prepared his way before the Lord (2 Chronicles 27:6), however, he did not enter into the temple at all ( 2Chronicles 27:2), neither did he allow his heart to be lifted up against  God and His priests. He feared for his life and did not allow pride in him.

Hezekiah too was lifted up with pride because of his victory over Sennecherib  (2 Chronicles 32:25-26), but when he quickly repented of his pride, the Lord averted the evil intended against him. If Naaman had not heeded the counsel of his servants but allowed pride and ego of the beautiful rivers of Damascus Abanah and Pharpar to overwhelm him, he would not have been cleansed of his leprosy (1 King 5:11-14). Boasting Peter was ruffled by a little servant girl after Jesus was taken (Matthew 26:69), and again  in Matthew 26:71, he denied his Master. Peter should have asked for grace, help and divine enablement to endure the trying moment that was about to befall them, instead he vaunted himself and told the Lord that even if all deserted him he would not as if he truly know what was ahead ( Matthew 26:31-35). They took lightly the prediction of Jesus about them, all of them forsook Him, and fled even Peter who was so full of himself and took the lead to say "Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you! and so said all the disciples." And when a group of people approached him to bash his ego, again he denied his Lord with an oath (Matthew 26:72). And in verse 73-74, his reaction was absurd because he started to curse, then a cock crowed (Matthew 26:75) a reminder of what Jesus had predicted concerning him. But the Lord being merciful reinstated him.

The humble-the lifted

It is only proud people who live in fragrant disobedience to God's command. Pride breeds rebellion and it is likened to the sin of witchcraft particularly when it involves rejecting God's word (I Samuel 15:23). Saul was a king chosen by God, but he kept on adding iniquity to iniquity, and when Samuel pointedly accused him of his wrong doings, his response was....."honour me now, please, before Israel, and return with me that I may worship the Lord your God" (1 Samuel 15:30). Samuel mourned throughout the night for Saul while Saul went to Carmel to set up a monument for himself (1 Samuel 15:12, 35). Here again is Saul who had just suffered the Lord's rejection and was to  be replaced by David (1 Samuel 16:1-4, 11-13), he was also troubled by a distressing spirit from the Lord because the Spirit of God had departed from him (1 Samuel 16:14-15). His initial problem was self-will an associate of the spirit of pride. However, prior to this time, Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines but Saul who was not really ready for the battle blew the trumpet throughout the land calling for unnecessary attention saying "let the Hebrews hear" (1 Samuel 13:3). He distressed the people because they were not fit and fully prepared to confront the army of the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:6-7). It was pathetic because those who followed him were trembling and petrified. Saul had called for unnecessary battle though unprepared but he used the occasion to project his self-importance desiring to be accorded honour. There was so much trouble, in fact, a needless one caused by Saul that he could not curtail. The children of Israel eventually scatted away from him, therefore, he decided to offer burnt offering which was not his duty to perform (1 Samuel 13:8-11). And when he was asked, he told Samuel that he felt compelled to do it (1 Samuel 13:12). How many these days dabble into what they are not called by God to do but like Saul feel compelled to do it so as to get praise and cheap popularity. Unfortunately for Saul, instead of receiving honour, fame and affluence, he opened up himself for shame and disgrace. The danger of the subtle element called pride is demotion (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

At another time Jonathan attacked the Philistines, but he had learnt his lessons, he would not inform or involve Saul (1 Samuel 14:1b, 6-7). The Philistines fled and trembled at the presence of Jonathan and his armour bearer. It was even his armour bearer who killed them (1 Samuel 14:10-16). The Philistines were troubled as they believed that there was commotion. Again Saul went into this battle he was not invited to though God gave them victory (1 Samuel 14:20-23). Then, excitedly he requested that they should pursue the Philistines at night and this he wanted so as to get himself praise  (1 Samuel 14:36), but the priests pleaded that they should  return to God. He consented to their advice but he was superficial! Saul had just built his first altar to the Lord but he purposely wanted to use it to gain the support of the priests (1 Samuel14:36b). He was the one scheming and fashioning out the strategy of war when he supposed to seek God because everything was just for self-praise. I perceive he must be thinking, " God I know what to do but I just need your support and I would like you and your team (the priests) to dance to me tune."  He actually needed to seek the counsel of God on how to wage the war rather than depending upon his own prowess and intelligence. And God knowing his heart did not answer him that day because he was just asking and it was not as if he really wanted God to lead him (1 Samuel 14:37). How dare you Saul undertake the duty of the Almighty God! He was not at all sober or bothered that God did not answer him, but he was busy judging Jonathan for licking the honey (1 Samuel 14:25-30, 38-45). And if not for the people's intervention, Saul would have killed Jonathan. Saul was greedy, selfish, and domineering, he wanted the best, and he spoiled his enemies just to strengthen himself and his reign over Israel (1 Samuel 12:47, 52).

But Solomon's disposition towards God though mightily blessed depicts humility. After he had built a temple for God, he gathered the people together to dedicate it. His prayer of humility attracted an immediate response from God, fire literarily came down from heaven to consume the burnt offering, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple (2 Chronicles 6:13b, 7:1). In contrast, Saul was rebuffed because of his self-will and arrogant pride for God would not hear or listen to him. While God quickly attested to Solomon's request by sending fire, He ceased to communicate with Saul. And it wasn't because Solomon built a temple for God, but he was a man rich in wisdom which he rightly applied as he approached God cautiously. He had an understanding of the import of humility as he wrote extensively about it in the book of proverbs (Proverbs 16:18-19, 21:4, 21:24, 25:6-7, 26:10-12, 15:33b, 29:23). Even the priests could no longer minister because a king had just reverently prayed to God. And needless to say that the whole assembly worshipped God when they saw what happened (2 Chronicles 7:2-3). Then, at night, God appeared to him the second time and affirmed to him all that He wanted to do for him (2 Chronicles 7:12-16). Humility is still an essential ingredient for obtaining God's attention according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Praying and seeking God will be the only way out of  trouble as this is also an act of absolute dependence on God, relying on what he alone can do and not looking elsewhere for help; and this is what is meant by seeking God as clearly spelt out for Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). Another contrast between Solomon and Saul clearly showed out in their obedience. Solomon followed the guidelines for the building of the temple, he constructed it according to the instruction received from God and from his father David. Saul, on the other hand will do as he pleases though God gave him another opportunity, yet, he failed woefully (1 Samuel 15:1-3, 9). And when Samuel confronted him of the evil he had committed, instead of repenting, he quickly exonerated himself because of his pride that eventually led to his fall (1 Samuel 15:15-17).

Elijah, the prophet, after he confronted and killed the prophets of Baal became bored and was distressed because of Jezebel's verdict against him. He fled, resorted to fate and while resting under the broom tree, there God appeared to him. Unfortunately, he was self-assertive thinking that he was the only one serving the God of Israel, but God immediately cautioned him and bring to his awareness that there are still 7, 000 people whose knees have not bowed to Baal (1 King 18:22, 19:2-4, 10, 14-19). Man of God let us know if you are tired and need replacement and that will be gladly done. But to make false claim that will not be accepted. Lucifer is the first known proud person. He was the archangel that covers, he was full of glory and beauty but he lost his exalted position in heaven because of pride, and he was thrown to the earth (Isaiah 14:12-17). Pride is one of the sins God hates most (Proverbs  6:16-17, 1 Peter 5:5-7). The voice of pride is I...just as it was exemplified  in the life of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30-33, 37, 5:20). The disposition of pride is disdain for others and the location of pride is the heart of man. Even the disciples of Jesus were not exempted from the problem of pride. Among them the issue of pride was notably pronounced but the response of Jesus concerning it was sobering and detailed (Matthew 18:1-5). Buttressing this issue, Jesus further gave a parable of a landowner who hired labourers at different hours for work. When he paid the man he hired last the same amount as others he hired earlier, they grumbled but the landowner was justified because he agreed with each of them for a denarius. There will always be contention between the third hour labourer and the eleventh hour labourer. And He had barely finished this parable when the mother of Zebedee came asking for position for her two sons ( Matthew 20:20-22). Yet, God's wisdom is  revealed in His choice and preference. He has an utmost purpose and that is such that no flesh should glory in His presence. Though there are those who look humble outside but they are truly proud in their spirit. But the bible says that the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit (Ecclesiasts 7:8b). And that is why Paul the Apostle also wrote to the Galatians not to be deluded (Galatians 6:3).

Evil enforcers

"There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord" Proverbs 21:30

From time immemorial there are evil enforcers who always want to thwart the plan of God and impose their will. Just as it happened in Genesis 11:1-9 when the whole earth had one language, that the people encouraged themselves to make bricks, burned them thoroughly and build themselves a city with a tower whose top reaches to heaven. But can man impose himself on God ? Certainly not! They started and God came down to see what they were doing. He allowed them to carry out their scheme to an extent, everything went on well and it was as if they were prospering until God decided to disperse them because in the evil imagination of their heart they were poised to enforce their will and desire on the Almighty as if He was their mate or equal. Their evil alliance was eventually foiled because God saw their unity and devotedness to carry out their mission (verse 6). He therefore confused their language and scattered them all over the world so they cease to build (verses 7-9). Also, in the bible, when David sinned by ordering the numbering of the children of Israel that plague broke out. But he will not impose himself on Ornan though it was needful for him to use his threshing floor for raising an altar, because there the angel of God appeared and commanded Gad the prophet to instruct him to erect it. And despite the fact that Ornan saw the angel too (1Chronicles 21:18-20), yet, David will not forcefully take his threshing floor from him but he offered to pay for it (1Chronicles 21:22). David bought it for a full price, and there he built an altar, consequently, God accepted his offering, fire fell and the plague stopped (1Chroncles 21:23-27). When everything is done orderly and accordingly, good result merges. However, a deliberate act of flagrant disobedience by walking in crooked ways, usurping, manipulating, cheating and treading devious path will always result in terrible ending.

Whenever the enemy enforces his evil agenda , it is often with an intent to subvert, alter or infiltrate the original plan and counsel of God. Jacob asked for Esau's birthright in an exchange for red stew (food). He placed a demand on him for what was most precious in life. It was so obvious that he actually wanted to usurp the rightful position of his brother because he could have asked for something else instead of his brother's birthright in exchange for food. Unfortunately, Esau could not carefully discern the evil plot of his twin brother who wanted to confiscate and dispossess him of his rightful inheritance. But he foolishly consented to Jacob's weird demand because he was desperate to satisfy his temporary hunger (immediate need), he relinquishes that which was his from birth to his cunning and stealthy brother. Jacob could have even given Esau food for free (Genesis 25:29-31) but he said to him only on this one condition can you get this red stew and that is "sell me your birth-right as of this day" What a wickedness of an evil enforcer and what has a pot of stew got to do with birth-right? Evil enforcers are always out to manipulate destiny, yet, he persisted in verse 33: "Then Jacob said, "swear to me as of this day; "So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob." Therefore know that from today; because you took from the pot of stew, I have all that was yours from God. Evil enforcers are always desperate to enforce their evil scheme on those who are insensitive and careless about their endowment, potentials, talents and destiny (Genesis 25:34).

At another instance, when David was anointed king over the nation of Israel, it worth noting that all the Philistines sought after him: "Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel; all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them." But why should a whole nation search for him and what offence had he committed that could have necessitated this (1 Chronicles 14:8). They knew David as their long-time enemy who defeated and killed Goliath their champion, and if he should be king over Israel, their domination and operation will be drastically reduced if not terminated, hence, the Philistines wanted to bring him down. But David inquired of the Lord the strategy to employ against these evil people who wanted to enforce their will over the nation of Israel (verses 10-12). God was on his side as He never  allowed them to prevail against him. He was empowered to defeat them and he burned down their gods. Though they made raid again, and for this also David inquired of the Lord again, he obeyed as God instructed him till he finally destroyed them and his fear was upon all nations (verses 14-17). Receiving his marching orders form God guaranteed his victory over the enemy of Israel. And during the reign of David, the children of Israel were no more subject to the Philistines and their assaults, raid or attacks. It even extended to the reign of Solomon too because the land had peace and perfect rest (1 King 5:4).

During the transfiguration Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. These personalities according to Matthew 17:3 had unique role to play in Jesus ministry. Moses had earlier foretold that God will give the children of Israel a ruler from the seed of Judah who will both be their deliverer and their leader. Elijah, on the other hand was the prophet who restored the true worship and divine order to the crumbling spiritual structure in Israel during his days and John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus came in the spirit of Elijah  (Matthew 17:11-13). The fulfilment of the law came when Jesus suffered and surrendered Himself as a worthy sacrifice for the world. However, He charge his disciples (who later became apostles) and all who will later be His followers to preach the gospel though in much conflict and trouble (1 Thessalonians 2:2b). They are not to teach error or be deceitful but they are entrusted with the gospel of truth thus pleasing God who tests the hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4). After Jesus departed, the apostles commenced their assignment. On one occasion, a visible and notable miracle occurred when suddenly a lame man by the gate of the temple looked intently to Peter and John was healed and he began to leap and walk and praise the Lord (Acts 3:2, 7-8). This wonderment brought about by the intervention of Peter and John led to great gathering of crowd whom they preached to. But when the priests, the Captain of the temple and the Sadducees saw how the disciples (apostles) spoke to the people they were greatly disturbed. These are evil enforcers and though they are the spiritual leaders of their days but they hated Jesus and His followers. They orchestrated the death of Jesus and thought they had ended everything about Him. And if these so-called spiritual leaders could be mad about Jesus and His followers, then we need not bother when later unbelievers and evil people routed them (Acts 14:2-7). If the so-called leaders were against the preaching of the truth being threatened by the apostles and their miracles, how much more opposition will they face by those outside. And though it is normal to expect greater oppositions from outside but oftentimes it is not so. 

The priests, the Captain of the temple and the Sadducee were greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached Jesus (Act 4:2), so, they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day (Acts 4:3). Their interruptions and assaults notwithstanding, many still believed the gospel (Acts 4:4). They were brought before the council and asked by what power do they so those things; their authority was questioned (Acts 4:5-7). In response, Peter stood up and told them that it was in Jesus name that the man was made whole (Acts 4:8-12). They could not reply him and they were speechless because of the evident manifestation of God's power in the life of the man who was healed of paralysis. They also acknowledged that they had been with Jesus (Acts4:13-14). And when they consulted among themselves because the miracle was undeniable, they came to an evil conclusion that the apostles should not speak, preach or teach again in the name of Jesus. However, Peter immediately objected and told them that they cannot but speak the things they have seen and heard about Jesus. The apostles were not ready to accept their evil command, they did not keep mute because that would have amounted to consent to their evil decree (Acts 4:19-20), though they threatened them again but later they released them (Acts 4:21). If the evil ones, the enemy of the cross want to enforce their evil will, we also have a mandate like Peter and the other apostles who said  "we cannot but preach in the name of Jesus."  We are enforcers too to establish the divine purpose of God on earth. The apostles did not go moribund, rather they prayed for boldness and for God's outstretched hand and for signs and wonders (Acts 4:23-30).

And then came an immediate answer from heaven to their request. God heard and answered them, and where they were assembled was shaken, they were re-fired and reloaded as the Holy Spirit came afresh upon them (Acts 4:31). They were filled to the brim, re-energized and renewed for exploits. They needed this fresh infilling because of the challenges and battles ahead to boldly declare the word of God and be fit for service. The outcome was awesome, assaults from their opposers who wanted to enforce evil decree on them resulted in the release of greater grace upon them. Indeed, there would be fiery trial (persecution, assaults and troubles) but all is aimed at one thing-the release of more grace in a believer's life (1 Peter 4:12, 1 Peter 1:6-10). This same charge Peter gave to the believers in his epistle in 1 Peter 1:13. The apostles did not give in but they continued to preach so they were arrested again (Acts 5:17-18) and were put into the prison by the indignant leaders but God sent His angel to release them. Though they plotted to kill them but they could not harm them, and how they were wonderfully delivered still bothered them, indeed, the righteous are kept secured and preserved  (Proverbs 2:8). But they challenged them: "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name"  Good for them anyway that they took Gamaliel (a respected member of their council)'s advice to let them go because he told them that if it is of God they cannot overthrow it lest be fighting God (Acts 5:22-28, 33-39). When evil enforcers are silenced, the word of God prevails!