The church was quiet that afternoon. A slight breeze blew past the two occupants in the building. They were seated next to each other, one contemplating what to say, the other handing her over to God.
“Pastor, things are getting worse. I hear the word, which strengthens me, but once I leave this place, it seems as if all hell breaks loose.” Nkechi said, bending her head with a sigh.
In her heart, she knew the word she received each time in church was undergoing testing, but the tests’ intensity seemed to rise higher and higher as if they raced towards a crescendo.
“Everywhere one turns, there is one bad news or the other. I have come to find out, how do you get through?” She asked, turning to him.
Pastor Debo smiled to himself and shook his head before he looked at her.
“I stand before the Lord at all times, Nkechi, looking up to Jesus, the author, and finisher of my faith.”
“Yes, Pastor,” Nkechi said, nodding as she looked away.
The Pastor smiled again. “Tell me, what does that mean to you?”
“It means we should keep praying at all times and not give up.”
“Yes, in a sense, but not exactly. You see, I’m not standing and praying to God for help at all times, No. I’m standing before my Father, your Father, awaiting His will. If I believe the scriptures I have read and preached, then I should stand confident in who my Father is, shouldn’t I?”
She nodded.
“If God is my refuge, stronghold, and tower, then I shouldn’t be afraid. If I have been chosen and called for His purpose, then all the things I face are working for my good, and I should be thankful in every situation. If His grace is sufficient for me because, in my weakness, His strength is made manifest, shouldn’t I be rejoicing when I’m weak, so God’s strength can show up? In fact, shouldn’t I always stay weak before Him, to ensure my life glorifies Him?”
This time, when she nodded, it was a slow dip in her head as she meditated on what he said.
“Nkechi, you are God’s own and greater is He that is in you; however, except, you start to live out the truth God speaks into your heart, and you stand in your position in Christ, the enemy will use you as mincemeat. Let me borrow from my father, who told me that Christians hear the roar of a lion and quake in fear, but it’s just a roar. He knows the one with you, but do you? Are you aware of who you are in Christ? Our greatest problems are not external but internal. The strongholds, imaginations, and thoughts built and planted in us have to come down, and it’s our task to execute.”
“I understand, Pastor, but a lot is happening all over the world. There are rumors of shakings, and terrible things are happening in and outside the church.”
“Where did scripture ask that we focus our eyes?”
“On God.”
“True. Focus, not on what has happened, is happening or will happen, but on Jesus. Wear the armor of God at all times. Work on bringing down everything that exalts itself over the knowledge of the Lord in your mind, and stay alert.” The Pastor said, patting her on the back. “Nkechi, it is well. The time has come for us to do the battle and possess our possessions by the grace of God. You can no longer rely on others to get you there. The giants were in the land, but Caleb and Joshua alone reported the truth – they knew they could fight them because Israel had God’s backing. You need to choose every second of every minute of every hour, whose report you will believe, and keep at it until the end.”
Nkechi smiled at the Pastor, knowing she had work to do. She turned to leave, and he called her back till she stood before him.
“Father, I pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, so we may know the hope of your calling, the riches of your glorious inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of your power to us who believe. I pray you will strengthen the inner man with might through your Spirit, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that having grasped the entirety of the love of Christ, which passes all knowledge, you will fill us with your fullness. Thank you, Father, for this time of pressure. You are taking us into the fullness of your will in Jesus’ name. (Eph 1:17-19, Eph 3:16-19)
“God bless you, Pastor,” Nkechi said, as she left to do battle.
Till next time, be transformed!!!
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