God Has Proven He Is Indeed A Nigerian

After all, God has assured us that: My word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Is. 55:11). However, we must know that God is not a magician, who must pander to and please his customer by fulfilling his/her will so he/she will come back. Answered prayers must always align with the will of God.
Let not our enemies ask, where is our God?

For over two years, Nigerians agonised over the fact that Americans had predicted the collapse of our country. There were fears that the elections would be a series of funeral rituals. Most of this was not true, as I have said on several occasions. What was true was that there were fears that if we as a people and as a nation did not change our ways, the worse could happen to us. Boko Haram, that untreated cancer, was the first symptom of the danger lurking around. For almost three weeks, I have tried to meditate on the faithfulness of God, especially His redemptive power over darkness and fear. I said with the Psalmist: Why should I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies. Why should I be crushed by their insults as they keep asking me, Where is your God? (Ps 42:10). I remembered the assurance of Micah that the Lord will not let our enemies gloat over us (Micah 7:8, Ps 38:16). I recalled with the Psalmist that those who trust in God shall never be put to shame (Ps 25:2). Let all of us be invited this Easter season to meditate on God’s faithfulness, strengthen our trust in Him and allow Him change our ways.

Christ is Risen: Let our enemies flee

As Christians, we are children of the Resurrection, which is a promise made and fulfilled. It closes the doors of uncertainty or speculation. After the resurrection, we have no doubt about Who God is. After the resurrection, we cannot be afraid of even the darkest clouds of the future. After the resurrection, we know that the mountains of fear will move. After the resurrection, the dry bones shall become a standing army marching to victory (Ez. 37:10). This is a time of joy because we know that our Redeemer lives (Job 19:25). It is the time of fulfillment of the promise of Emmanuel, God-is-with-us.

However, we must enter a note of warning. Like the blind man whom Jesus healed, let us not take God’s love and generosity for granted. Let us not simply relax, believing that we can always summon God to our cause. Our politicians must end their prodigality and irresponsible misuse of our resources. After Jesus healed him, He warned the blind man: Behold you have been healed, go and sin no more or something worse will befall you (Jn. 5:14). Let those who have ears to hear, listen.

A happy Easter and God bless our dear country. Long live Nigeria!
• Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH is Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.
CONCLUDED