Who Do You Entrust With Your Security?

THE last few weeks have seen so much fear in the polity. People are anxious over their fate and that of the country. Some even had to travel outside of Lagos to their villages for fear that the election may become violent. Few even lost their lives in the process of running for safety. So, I ask, who do you entrust with your security? You think your wisdom and knowledge is enough to safeguard you from doomsday?

  Who do you entrust with your safety, together with your family? Do you place your trust in those your big voracious looking Alsatian dogs that go about your expansive backyard? Is it with the gun-totting security men that man your compound on 24-hour basis? Or is it on that charm the old medicine man gave you the last time you visited village? I do not know which of the above works for you. But if you place your security on any of the above, then you need to have them re-examined.

  No one wishes to die. We want to live long and actualise all that God has deposited within us. Hence, we do all within us to safeguard ourselves against enemies, both real and imagined. Why do you think most countries of the world, Nigeria inclusive, spend a large portion of their annual budget on security? It is because of the fear of being run-over by hostile countries. So also in these times, you’ll find most of our politicians hiring bodyguards and going to any extent to safeguard themselves and family from hostile opponents. But does that end there?

  Any one that places his hope on man would surely be disappointed. It is only in God that we are assured of security. Some big men always enjoy flying in order to avoid the pit holes on our bad roads. How are you sure that the new jet plane you just boarded would take you safely to your destination? Some say they don’t like boarding planes, but rather prefer travelling by road. Is road safer? I know of a chief executive that goes about with several bodyguards because of fear of being attacked by assassins. Some even go about with bulletproof cars to avoid being hit by sniper’s bullets. All this does not give real security. True security lies with God.

  In the book of John 4; 4, the Bible reminded us thus: “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  We are limited by our body senses, but there is more to life than we can see or know.

  Recall the people of Israelites when they wanted to take over Jericho. The city was well fortified with big walls so that it was difficult for enemies to enter. In those days, it was customary for big cities to build large walls all over for fear of enemy attacks.   

But what happened? When the time came for the Israelites to take over Jericho, they did not attack any one. Rather, they matched round the city and it crumbled. Just like that! (Read Joshua 5:13-6:27)

  One of my favourite Psalms is Psalm 91, verse 1-12, which talks about being under the shadow of the almighty. Please find time to read it extensively and claim the blessings within. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,…” 

 Very Rev. Msgr. Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.