Clerics urge Nigerians not to surrender to despair amidst national challenges
By Philomina Attah
Clerics have urged Nigerians to anchor their hope in divine promises and reject any spirit of despair and agents of joy killers, especially amid the nation’s current economic and social difficulties.
They made the call at a revival service organised by First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja themed, “Covenant Enlargement,”
Rev. Dickson Madoghwe, the Guest Speaker while delivering sermon on “The Joy of Life,” stressed a “twofold perspective on joy”: one of gratitude for present blessings and another of “unwavering faith” for future fulfilment.
He warned the congregation against giving in to “joy killers” the discouraging voices and circumstances that emerge during periods of waiting or struggle.
He explained that Christians must adopt a dual view of joy to maintain resilience.
“One perspective is to look at every avenue through which God has given us options, what I call the ‘joy sellers.’
“We must show appreciation that we have our share of all these good things that are going on,” the cleric said, stressing the importance of acknowledging current blessings.
“The second perspective addresses the areas where people are still “trusting God for the joy.”
Madoghwe encouraged believers not to “subscribe that God will not do this for us,” using the biblical story of Sarah, who received a child in her old age, as a powerful case study for believing in spite delays.
He cautioned that discouragement often hits when people are at their “breaking point.”
“Many people, when they get to a breaking point, are surrounded by friends who might discourage them from pursuing their God-given dreams,” he noted.
He illustrated this with a personal anecdote of a dedicated Christian who lost a major job opportunity after refusing to compromise her values by agreeing to a contract bribe.
“We must talk people up, not talk about the problem,” he said.
The Senior Pastor of the Church, Rev. Tom Takpatore, while noting the socio-economic situation in the country, implored the attendees to maintain a spirit of endurance.
“If there is anything that the Lord has spoken to us about this evening is that we don’t give up on life, we don’t give up on God, we don’t give up on ourselves,” Takpatore said.
He reframed the nation’s current difficulties, stating that the challenges are not a permanent condition but a temporary stage in a larger divine plan.
“We know that God never fails. It shall surely come to pass. Nigeria will be great.
“We know that what we are going through right now is not the definition of God’s purpose for Nigeria. It is just a process that will bring us unto fulfilment.
“Like the scripture says, though it tarries, it shall come to pass. Because it is God, the God who is faithful, the God who works according to His timing,” Takpatore said.
Deaconess Olukemi Adebimpe-Ojo, the President of the Women Missionary Union (WMU) in the church, assured believers that God’s timing is always perfect, even when it feels delayed.
“The servants of God have declared. One thing that is certain about God is that God is never late. Yes, our timing is not God’s timing.
“He said, though the heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will never pass unfulfilled,”Adebimpe-Ojo said.
Acknowledging the various struggles faced by many Nigerians—from unemployment and the wait for children to the desire for home ownership, Adebimpe-Ojo urged perseverance.
“The God that did it in the days of Abraham, we see the same God today. Yesterday, today, forever, it will be.
“Let us not give up. Let us trust even in the Lord and wait for Him. The appointed time will surely come, and we will glorify God,” she urged.
Highlights of the revival were fervent prayers for the nation, its leaders, and for a collective spirit of hope and resilience among the citizenry. (NAN)