Rebranded destiny – Part 4

“Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request (1 Chronicles 4:9)

The prayer of Jabez was so powerful in nature that God in His mercies, granted his requests. It was not a selfish prayer or prayer for the death of his enemies. After noticing the source of his predicaments, he decided to turn to God for healing instead of apportioning blame to his mother. Prophet Isaiah proclaimed that, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear…” The hand of God is so powerful to save, deliver and restore. The result of the hand of God upon His children is to keep us from harm or evil. We are surrounded by every form of evils in our society today such as oppression, kidnappings, killings, banditry, ritual killings, and hardship as a result of human factor.

Nigerians should go to the Lord in genuine repentance for disobeying His command like Jonah. From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. (Jonah 2:1). God will never forsake His own in the time of distress. As Jabez prayed to be free from pains likewise Jonah prayed and was set free from his painful experience.

Our nation is in distress economically, politically and spiritually, and the incident that happens during the week at the National Assembly complex has a spiritual connotation to what we are experiencing as a nation.

Many Nigerians are living in a leaking house and in generally decrepit condition, especially those that are living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) centres. Many others are in severe pains contending with lack of shelter during this rainy season, as well as facing a lack of food and insecurity. Let our leaders come out of their comfort zones and bring these vulnerable people out of their painful experiences.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” (Luke 4:18).

Jesus Christ our role model in leadership worked within the scope of His world assignment. Our leaders should work to reduce the high level of poverty and hardship. Billions of naira are budgeted for this, but only a few are benefiting because of the insensitivity of some of our greedy leaders.

Finally, God granted Jabez’s prayer and he became honourable than his brothers. God still answers the prayers of the righteous. Whenever you call upon Him, He is able and absolutely able to answer your prayer. What you need to do is to run away from sins.