Hospital Experience I: Caveat Emptor

Credit © https://unsplash.com (NCI)

FOLLOW OUR BLOG to the superb experience. And add your COMMENTS, I will certainly respond. Also, seriously consider following us!

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 3:15-18
Credit © https://unsplash.com (Francisco Venancio)

Today is October 14, 2022. Nana has been admitted to a hospital near his home. Together with his wife, he got there after 4 p.m. yesterday, and saw the doctor on duty about an hour and a half later. She ran a few tests and admitted him. She decided on a diagnosis, so she commenced treatment immediately.

He) was anxious that they would not find a vein on his big, unexercised arm, but the nurse lost no time at all. He surveyed his left and deftly stuck a needle somewhere below his elbow. He soon had a plastic needle sticking in his arm and fluid after fluid dripping down as he lay in the emergency room.

He had not eaten since the morning. They said some medicines could not be administered until he had eaten. His wife, who had just had surgery herself, left to go put some victuals together for him. The staff were very nice people. He even had one take his picture on the bed.

Suddenly, around 7:30, two doctors walked in and nimbled towards his bed. Near his head were the blood glucose test strips and lancets he had purchased earlier. The departing doctor said to the other as they approached his bed.

Credit © https://unsplash.com (Online Marketing)

“This man is being treated for malaria and typhoid. He’s been on some drugs so far. He is a known diabetic who takes medicine regularly. He has also recently treated typhoid, but he was not able to treat it completely, and he went on and on.

Goodness and mercy, and sweetness, and light! Was his audio working well? Did he really hear what the man said? Did the doctor think he was asleep or deaf? As they made to move to the next bed, he cleared his throat.

“I would like to say a few things to you.”

They paused and gawked.

“I am not diabetic. I am not a known diabetic doctor.

Confidently, he grabbed up the lancets and asked, “What about these?” His bigotry and swagger irked him the more. What do you think about this doctor?

There’s Peace in Christ

Abba Sings Again

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philipians 4

Abba Magnifies the LORD JESUS CHRIST

FOLLOW OUR BLOG to the superb experience. And add your COMMENTS, I will certainly respond. Also, seriously consider following us!

Romans 12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message Bible)

This song is categorized as a Christmas Hymn. For me, it should be a daily passion. I still can’t retrieve an author’s name. However, a thought about the circumstances of Jesus’ birth leaves us with much to think about. When the visitors saw the Prince of Peace in swaddling clothes, they were overcome with surging emotions and a dense desire to share their treasures… This resulted in the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, which we are all knowledgeable about. Think about this, my friend.

While thinking about it, remember how everyone who encounters God wants to put their first, last and best at his disposal. Our text in Romans 12: 1-2 insists that we turn the daily round of duties, the mundane things like nibbling on our favourite nut, checking on our social media, wiping our face in the sweltering heat, or even taking a bath, turning every single one of them into an offering to God’s glory. Consider that.

And while you are about that, consider 1 Corinthians 1: 26 and on. These texts also suggest that God intentionally chose people who are not necessarily high flyers. He did so to show those who pretend they are that they, the high flyers, are nowhere near His ideal? If you have anything to bring to the table of God, offer it to Him, submit it to Him, and bring it to Him. The song tells us how to do just that. Enjoy the lyrics below.

1 The wise may bring their learning,
the rich may bring their wealth,
and some may bring their greatness,
and some their strength and health;
we too would bring our treasures
to offer to the king:
how shall we greet our saviour,
what presents shall we bring?

2 We’ll bring the many duties
we have to do each day,
we’ll try our best to please him,
at home, at work, at play;
and better are these treasures
to offer to the king,
than richest gifts without them –
yet these we all may bring.

3 We’ll bring him hearts that love him,
we’ll bring him thankful praise,
and lives for ever striving
to follow in his ways;
and these shall be the treasures
we offer to the king,
the gifts that now and ever
our grateful hearts may bring!

Author Unknown

What Really Happened III

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Felipe Gregate)

FOLLOW OUR BLOG to the superb experience. And add your COMMENTS, I will certainly respond. Also, seriously consider following us!

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me

Psalms 27:10

Chuki was not finished with her story, so she continued the next time they met. During her first year in the polytechnic, an American came to conduct religious services at her church. He took a liking to her. He promised to support her education once he got back to the States. Unfortunately, Pastor Phalett responded only after she had written four letters to him. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Madgalena)

And in his terse reply, he indicated that he was inclined to send his money to Rwanda, where genocide was raging! 

It made sense to do so, but she was devastated. So Chuki turned to God, the only source of help she knew, and with gusto. One day, while meditating on the outskirts of her town, God told her, I do not need people’s promises to take care of you. I will take care of you.

This was the turning point for her. She shared it excitedly with her close Christian friend, who advised that she take steps in faith. Almost immediately, she began investing in cardboard and other art materials. Soon she was making money from designing and decorating greeting cards, signboards, posters, and T-shirts. Whatever contract came, she did it or asked other artists for help. And God made sure she graduated in two years with an HND in Business Management.

She struggled around looking for work with an employer who would not request sexual favours before even considering her qualification. She didn’t find any. Then it was time for national service, which she did with the Schools Libraries Project. This group of service personnel did posters for first-cycle schools. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Susan Weber)

After service, she got a job as a library assistant at a college. She forged on until she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Her GPA got her a teaching assistant position immediately after graduation. That is when Chuki began to relax just a bit. After a year, she noticed that the worrylines on her forehead had somewhat smoothened. 

Then a godly young dreamer found her after she finished her Master and they married. 

At the time of the interview, Chuki had been able to churn out a few books and scores of artilcles. She was in the process of acquiring her PhD. She was also dean of the School of Business. Takyi was impressed. He intoned it over and over again while Chuki laughed out loud. Chuki hurried to offer Gratitude to God, the Almighty, who had made all this possible.

In a few weeks, both were on first-name terms with each other’s spouses. 

Then it was Takyi’s turn to share his story. He talked about spending years teaching at a secondary school before his mother convinced him to do his Masters in Human Resources Management. He then worked in the Ministry of Information. While there, he chanced on a PhD sponsorship to Norway. He quickly applied and was approved. He went with his family. Upon his return, he discovered that he could not find a place in the ministry again, that nobody seemed to know or even want to help him. After spending a year waiting for an appointment from the ministry and living off his wife’s business, he decided to apply to several universities, including where Chuki was. In the end, he accepted their offer.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Priscilla du Preez)

So how did a girl whose grades were dipping and who was struggling even to write secondary school examinations manage to make it this far? 

Chuki answers this question like this… 

“My family could not support me; even men of God shunned me in my darkest hour. But God, Himself was already there. He filled me with the grit to keep going, proving that He put Psalms 27:10 there in the Bible. Then He kept opening doors for me. Early on, my parents had convinced me that I would become someone important. I kept echoing those statements. What God has done for me has really blown me away.”

What Really Happened II

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Dolgo Ph)

FOLLOW OUR BLOG to the superb experience. And add your COMMENTS, I will certainly respond. Seriously consider those following us!

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Psalms 68:5-6

How did a girl who apparently failed both mathematics and statistics become a lecturer? Takyi called her after work the following day, and she decided to share her own story with him. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (CDC)

It all started when her mother got sick out of the blue. It began with chest pain, weakness, and a slight cough. But Maame got worse and ended up in the hospital for 3 months. 

Finally, Maame came home. However, she was still very ill and could not do much for her family. Auntie Ongif, her father’s sister, would often come from her house to take care of them. When Maame died after 4 years of illness, Chuki’s father could hardly hold himself together. 

After a while, Auntie Ongif, her father’s sister and confidante, brought her best friend to live with them and care for the four children. Chuki and the lady, Auntie Bunlyma, got on so well. She was a teacher herself, so Bunlyma insisted that the first thing after school was to read over the day’s studies. Auntie Bunlyma also told them Bible stories while they all had dinner daily. Then after a long time, her father married Bunlyma. 

Then Chuki became ill. She hardly had the strength to make it through school each day for a few years. But her father insisted on attendance and won’t allow her to stay at home. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Jon Tyson)

Her teacher was becoming more and more impatient with the progress of her healing. The strange disease left her strengthless and breathless. Then her stepmother started to tire of her constant weakness. She would yell and sometimes slap her on the back to make her hurry up. Though she prayed for God to heal her, she kept getting weaker. Her family had almost become vegetarian because of her. One dawn, when she was in grade 8, she dreamed that Jesus carried her to a hospital where He and the nurses replaced almost every part of her body. She woke up feeling much better and told everyone at devotion. Father petitioned the Lord to make her healing permanent. 

Then she discovered that she could not focus in class. So much had been taught while she was struggling with her strange illness. The nurse said she had gotten temporary dyslexia from all the pain tablets she had been taking. Her parents completely took her off hospital medicine, but her results kept sinking.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Cytonn)

It was during this period that she had to retake the Mathematics paper. And when she still could not make it, she tried the Statistics exam. It was at this exam that they first met many years ago. His name was Takyi, and he had just finished a PhD in Human Resource Management when they again completed the interview held at Chuki’s university. He called her after a few days. He listened to her telling her story about how she only got a pass mark that enabled her to go to the polytechnic. Later, her hard work paid off and gained her an entrance into the university. “God has been very kind to me,” she said. Takyi also promised to share his own life story next time they talked. 

What Really Happened I

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Fatima Yusuf)

FOLLOW OUR BLOG to the superb experience. And add your COMMENTS, I will certainly respond. Seriously consider those following us!

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Proverbs 16:33

Chuki knew that passing the “O” Level (Ordinary Level) Statistics paper was crucial to her dreams and future. The WAEC (West Africa Examinations Council) timetable said the exam would commence by 9:00 hours, and candidates should be seated by 8:00 hours to go through the formalities. She was on time.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Sae Sol)

Not that she had many options for cheating. She could abbreviate some formulae on the inner part of her hand and cover it with her black, long-sleeved blouse… Or on her thigh and wear a loose skirt… Or this, or that. She already knew she was a scaredy-cat. She had been brought up thinking that if you had not worked for something you were given, you might not really deserve it. Maame drummed it home, “Make sure you work hard, so you’ll be proud of your achievements. Otherwise, it would be difficult for you to face the person in the mirror”.

She had failed ‘O’ Level Mathematics twice. Then someone suggested that Statistics was better. That is why she paid Mr Amadi to teach her. And she took the lessons seriously. It’s just that for her, Mathematics was, officially, a troublesome subject no matter how she tackled it. In any case, for the past 5 months, she had been preparing for this exam, so she should be able to face it squarely.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Rut Miit)

 During the paper, the boy sitting to her right managed to get her attention. He then shifted his writing, tilting it just in case she wanted to copy from him. The invigilators were chatting at the front. Yet she could not bring herself to copy from the paper so freely given.

After that paper, the boy found her by herself. She was delicately perched on a bench behind the hall. He tried to be gentle. “Hello, how was the paper?” Chuki spinelessly mumbled something like, “Uh, hello. It was ok.” Then he got serious. “It seems you were not calculating that much. How so?” “I did what I could,” she parried lamely. Confidently, he said, “That is why I signalled to you and even tilted my paper for you.” “Frankly, I can’t do it. No matter how difficult a paper is, I can’t copy in an exam.” Chuki shuddered at the thought.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Ben Wicks)

Fast forward sixteen years. Chuki is on a university interview panel as it interviews a candidate for their faculty. Their candidate that morning is a man in his late thirties. He looks vaguely familiar, but she cannot place him. It’s the man who remembers eventually. After the interview, he contacts her, hoping she can help him. And they remembered the Statistics paper some 16 years ago. Then they exchange contacts promising to catch up with each other later. Look at Proverbs 16:33. It says, We may toss the coin and roll the dice, but God’s will is more magnificent than luck(The Passion Translation). In fact, the Message Bible is even more clear… God has the final say. Our hard work is still dependent upon God’s increase and favour. Many struggles over this concept, but it’s true.

Now to our story. You would want to know how a girl who failed Maths (twice) and maybe Statistics too becomes a university lecturer? And the brilliant boy is looking for a job? Stay tuned.

Oblivious Yet Obvious

© Credit https://unsplash.com (The Phope)

Consider LIKE-ing our page, you will give us what only friends can. Also, consider FOLLOW-ing our blog, you will be the first to get the Lord’s messages. Just a tap of that button, and we would be super excited! Seriously consider those following us!

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (emphasis mine)

Philippians 2:12-13

Naema stepped out of the lecture hall with confidence. As she approached 6 classmates, she noticed they were discussing the exam. “Guys, how did the paper go?

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Mimi Thian)

Diem eyed Naema while friendliness lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile. 

“We know you’ve raised the bar already. So why are you asking? Diem quizzed. Naema smiled back and pointed at David. 

“There’s your bar raiser. Look at him smiling! David saw her gesture, turned and made a face. They delved straight into question 3b“All fish are mammals. Discuss”

As they discussed that question, it became increasingly clear that the lecturer meant more than just that question. In class, it was confirmed that anyone who dealt with it at face value lost half the mark even if they did that excellently. That means they could not afford to be oblivious to the obvious intent of the question.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Scott Rodgerson)

Whenever the Pharisees related with Jesus, they lost sight of the forest for the trees. So while He focused on eternal issues, they were fixated on browbeating Him for the moment. Whenever they pried into Him, trying hard to twist Him into knots and get Him to make punishable mistakes, He would instead look earnestly for disciples from among them. He was on to eternal things but they were on to mundane intricacies. They were obviously oblivious to what should be obvious.

He was giving them unlimited opportunities, but they saw nothing like that. Instead, they only looked for rebuttal arguments. One such painful event is in Mark 3:5 when at church, He wanted to heal a man with a withered arm, hoping they would see that God is more interested in saving His children than in just obeying human laws. So Jesus posed a question simply asking what they considered was a better activity on Sabbath for them. Was it making someone smile or being the reason for them to cry? To avoid admitting the obvious, they just kept mute. On another occasion, in Matthew 21:23-27, they came to Jesus with a quiz. To answer them, Jesus asked them a simple question requiring honest feedback. Was John’s baptism from God or man? John had worked among them, preaching and baptizing. Many lives, including non-Jewish soldiers, had been changed for the better. Was it from God? The Pharisees said they didn’t know. Simple question, simple answer. An honest statement, honest feedback. But they were fixated on looking good, unruffled and confident. They answered that they did not know if the Holy Spirit led John so as not to commit themselves. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Mike Enerio)

God was reaching out, but man was only interested in staying politically, socially, legally, academically, personally, and even religiously correct. Jesus gently pried into their lives, uncovering possibilities. He was already aware of all their hidden unfortunacies, but they only saw an enemy to their entrenched, self-destructive habits. Heaven had thrown its gates wide open, but men and women only busied themselves looking calm, intelligent, and unmoved. They hesitated and tried to gauge what they would lose by becoming Jesus’ disciples. These rather were their priorities!

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Andre Benz)

Today, Jesus uses His word, people, circumstances, dreams, inspired counsel, opportunities, unfortunacies, and even our mistakes to let us know He expects us to work our salvation with fear and anxiety lest we lose out. In the brief moments, we get it. Then we remember something and halt the process of change for the better.

Eternity signals at us, and her face is twisted into a puzzled frown. She still asks herself, “¿¡Can’t they realize what I’m offering them?! 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Jon Tyson)

No Eternity, they are blinded by their own parochial interests, including looking out for what they stand to gain. They are obviously oblivious to what is obvious. Eternity is beckoning. Can’t you see? Do you understand her gestures, kindness, words, and offers? Eternal life is smiling at you and extending her hand to you. Please take her hand and assess the peace of knowing that your future is sorted. I beg you.

Adding Value

© Credit https://unsplash.com (c-d=x)

Consider LIKE-ing our page, you will give us what only friends can. Also, consider FOLLOW-ing our blog, you will be the first to get the Lord’s messages. Just a tap of that button, and we would be super excited! Seriously consider those following us!

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Trinity Treft)

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Ekume and his wife, Naima, went to the city to run errands. There, they met a radio presenter, Naanye, who runs a popular show. They got to talking and struck a friendship. He explained how his show works to the couple.

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Fringer Cat)

He gets an interesting hypothetical story complete with locations and names. Sometimes they are stories of actual people with names and locations changed. He shares it with the listeners. They debate it at length. People who are interested call in and share their views. Some even share similar stories. Meanwhile, in-studio, he has panellists who help in the debate.

His panellists are usually lawyers, doctors, carpenters, builders, and other professionals with knowledge and expertise. Apart from sharing more information on the topic, they explain how to avoid it, what to do fast if they experience it, and even how to alert the authorities if they suspect something. They also reveal any laws or current goings-on in government concerning the issue, international concerns, and then some pertinent advice that will help people to act fast if they think something like that is happening. Listeners call in or connect through social media platforms. The show is usually animated while it lasts. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Evangeline Shaw)

He solicited the couple’s support because they were both creative writers. They accepted the challenge and immediately sent a story when they returned home. Their story aired and was debated intensely. Their following entries all gathered a lot of patronages. This collegial collaboration continued for several weeks. Soon enough, the two families, Naanye’s and Ekume’s, were close – they even went out together when time permitted. Naanye challenged Ekume, and Ekume supported Naanye.

The Bible supports this kind of relationship in Pro 27:17, where it says, “you use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another”. Sometimes in life, we meet some people who help us increase our value and efforts towards creating a better version of ourselves. They give us bait. And since that bait looks, smells, feels, and even sounds juicy, we grab it with both hands. These are your real friends. Age cannot be a hindrance, they could even be your spouse.

Whether we are students, workers, or live-ins, we need to learn to surround ourselves with people who can help us to grow. These are people who increase us. They are not afraid to speak their minds. They share information that will help us to grow, and if something is off about us, they wisely confront us. They force us to review our motives and reorder our priorities. Otherwise, our confidantes would cause us to not grow as we should. Identifying these people can be knotty. However, every effort to find such people pays us both in cash and kind.

1 Thessalonians 5 verse 11 encourages us to engage such activities. In fact, Hebrews 10: 24,25 begins by asking us to create in each other, a desire for good works. Do you have at least one such person as a human being, son, daughter, student, worker, spouse, leader, child of God, and/or hustler? Learning to recognise such people is another story. But the presence of even one such person is of tremendous advantage to you and me. Find one for your own self.

Hassle For Sapphire Results!

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Kuromi Lu)

Consider LIKE-ing our page, you will give us what only friends can. Also, consider FOLLOW-ing our blog, you will be the first to get the Lord’s messages. Just a tap of that button, and we would be super excited! Seriously consider those following us!

26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:

Deuteronomy 11:26-28
© Credit https://unsplash.com (The Blowup)
© Credit https://unsplash.com (Jacek Dylag)

Keep fighting for results that gleam like a sapphire! I trust that by God’s grace, you won’t disappoint. An exam is another opportunity to show that you are really blazing a trail! But first things first. Success is an event; so is a failure! Afterwards, life goes on! The real thing is achieving your goal and why you embark on your studies. Life is generally incremental. Our choices and actions add up to give us what we get. Actually, this semester started ending when it began. You started preparing for your exams on the first day of class. This is one of the reasons why the period before exams is called revision.

Have you noticed that there are lines everywhere? The lines on pieces of cloth trace beautiful, attractive patterns. The lines on the football fields, tennis, and basketball courts help players and referees to know whether they are in or out. The lines on the roads help drivers and pedestrians to know where they can cross. And those tiny lines on the ruler reveal units of measure. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Pierre Chatel-Innocenti)

Lines also force us to decide to be on one side or on another side. In Exodus 32, Moses used a line to get drunken and sober Israelites to take a stand either for God or not. They were forced to choose either to be with the golden calf or God, who brought them out of Egypt with great signs and wonders. Furthermore, in Matthew 12:30, Jesus clearly stated, “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse (Message Bible). Try to stand in line with those striving to achieve honourable goals. In life, in school, and in eternity.

People who talk about their big dreams sometimes spend the best parts of sharp-eyed hours on social media or non-essentials. People who desire ‘A’s spend their semester preparing for ‘B’s and ‘C’s. Again, some people talk about prayer but never pray. People say the Bible is God’s Word to man and never read it.Strange people, don’t you think? 

That struggle between the forces of good and evil means that you and I have to take a stand. Actually, there is no no-man’s-land for the undecided. So, like Jesus said above, once your choice is not Him, you are with the devil by default. 

We see people who want an ‘A’ but don’t do the things that make for that ‘A’ result. There are no ‘shortcuts’ in the essential things of life, i.e. studying, character, growth, etc., except by dishonesty. If you don’t hit the ground running, you may not make it as expected. 

© Credit https://unsplash.com (Alexander Grey)

Now tell me, what was that your choice again…? I mean, when you began, what did you decide? Was it for an ‘A’, a ‘B’, or a ‘D’? I pray you to find spiritual growth in your walk and sapphire results in your life walk. I pray that your memory will be sharper than a double-edged sword this period.

I pray that your life’s results will have the value of PURE GOLD!

Somebody Else’s Angel

Consider LIKE-ing our page, you will give us what only friends can. Also, consider FOLLOW-ing our blog, you will be the first to get the Lord’s messages. Just a tap of that button, and we would be super excited! Seriously consider those following us!

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 9:5-15

God keeps His promises even to people already dead. People who would not know whether he kept those promises or not (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6; Job 14:20, 21). Yet our text says He completed His self-assigned duty even though it meant moving a group of stiff-necked, hardhearted, group of ungrateful former maltreated slaves.

© https://unsplash.com (Christoph van de Waals)

O yes! He kept the promise He made to Abraham, Abraham’s son, Isaac, and Isaac’s son, Jacob. Three generations dead more than 300 years earlier. So at the end of his ministry, when Moses recounted all their evil deeds, the Israelites were quiet. God could have used their misbehaviour as an excuse to not keep His promise to give Canaan to Abraham’s descendants, but He didn’t. Ensure you keep your good promises no matter the passing of time. And that would be reasonable!

Abraham respected and obeyed God. He and God became close friends (Genesis 18:19; Isaiah 41:8; Hebrews 11:8-10). So God was with him through thick and thin. His son, Isaac, honoured the God of Abraham, his father. You would see him interceding for his own wife in Genesis 25:21. He built an altar to God (Genesis 26:25), who also appeared to him (Genesis 26:2, 24). His sons, Esau and Jacob, were raised to respect and worship God. In Genesis 28, 31, 33, we read about how God appeared to Jacob, and angels appeared to him when he fled from home and on the way back from his uncle, Laban. We even read about that fantastic wrestling match that resulted in the change of his name (verse 32:28) from Jacob (that supplants, undermines; the heel)[1] to Israel (the prince that prevails with God)[2]. My point here is that these three honoured and worshipped God. Therefore, God could work with them and bless their descendants. 

© https://unsplash.com (Laura Seaman)

On the other hand, their descendants did not seem to see a need for their own personal relationship with the God of their ancestors! From the get-go, even while they were still in Egypt, they refused to be helped. They betrayed Moses, who had to flee fast to the land of Midian (Exodus 2:11-15). Despite the 10 miracles/plagues God did in Egypt, along with the booty the Israelites got from their neighbours without a fight (verses 11:1-3), they still grumbled again a few weeks after leaving Egypt (Exodus 14:11; Deuteronomy 9:7). Several times, their sharp mouths opened in protest, sounding off and complaint. The book of Deuteronomy begins with Moses mentioning only the significant incidents.

Considering their behaviour on the way, God could have carried out his threat – of wiping them out entirely and starting afresh to raise His people out of Moses’ own descendants. But He didn’t because Moses pleaded while engaged in a personal 40-day fast (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25) for the people. He bore with them because of His love and promise to their forbears.

© https://unsplash.com (Andreea Popa)

In spite of your bad habits, your good fortune may result from the life and worship of your forebears who have pleaded on your behalf. Nicole C. Mullen’s beautiful and instructive song, “Granny’s Angel”, suggests that God doesn’t have any grandchildren. “Cause you can’t keep livin’ on granny’s Angel”, she sings, “Cos it’s time to get one o’ your own!”[3] Get to know and love Jesus for yourself. The time to stop depending on other people’s relationship with God IS NOW! Make that decision to know God for yourself now and bless your posterity!

Enjoy a quote from the song…

But granny cried, “Lord Jesus, help my baby boy
‘Cause he ain’t doin’ the things that he’s supposed to, ” yeah, yeah
Then she cried, “Lord Jesus, it would bring me joy
To see him live to be someone who loves you”

‘Cause you can’t keep livin’ on granny’s Angel
See it’s about time you get one of your own
I’m telling you can’t keep livin’ on granny’s Angel
‘Cause whatcha gonna do when granny’s gone[4]


[1] Topical Bible: Jacob (biblehub.com)

[2] Topical Bible: Israel (biblehub.com)

[3] Nicole C. Mullen – Granny’s Angel Lyrics | AZLyrics.com; Nicole C. Mullen Granny’s Angel Lyrics – Bing video

[4] Nicole C. Mullen – Granny’s Angel Lyrics | AZLyrics.com

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started