SHOWING UP

It is God’s grace to be alive at a time like this. And there is no need to be worried, as, He, who began the good work in your life is able to complete it. This week I want to speak to your faith and let you see how amazing God works in the lives of His own.

 

Have you been worried recently about some certain issues in your life that seem to be lingering for too long? Does it seem like God is not listening and perhaps you are sure He listened but won’t just act?  Have you gotten to that point of making the statement: “God knows best”? Prophet Eli had been told about issues surrounding the misbehaviour of his sons and what the Lord may do if they failed to repent and Eli came to the conclusion that God could do whatever He felt good. The Prophet had gotten to a point he had heard enough and was already weak.

Situations and circumstances not changing for a while can get one to that point of saying perhaps it is the will of God and it should be accepted. If you are in such a period in your life, I want to share with you that this is not strange in the operations of God.

The Israelites had been taken captive in Babylon. The king took the best of them for himself to serve in his kingdom and, the glory of God was evident in their lives. As they went on, the other officials of the kingdom began to envy how much wisdom that comes forth from these who are from Israel. They could feel the power and grace of God in all that they did. So, it happened that the king made a golden statue and sent a message to all the provinces of his empire to come to the dedication of the statue. (Daniel 3)

A decree was then attached to the attendance of this event. When the band strikes up, everyone is to fall on the ground to worship the king’s golden statue and, anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a flaming furnace. This was a major issue for the Hebrew guys as they had been taught never to bow to any other image aside from the God of heaven. They eventually didn’t obey this decree.

Some officials who were already threatened by how much exploit the Hebrew boys had made reported them to the king for the act of disobedience. The guys kept their cool as they were brought to the king and they made it clear they were not afraid of the king’s decree as they would never bow and are very sure their God will save them and in any case the God of Israel failed to show up, they were ready to damn the consequences.

That was amazing and daring. I expected that a host of Angels, at that point, would have fallen from the sky to quench the furnace or turn the whole place around. There was calm in heaven and the earth was quiet. There was no thunderstorm not to talk of a shake that would confirm these guys were for God. The king ordered the furnace heated up more than the normal and the guys bound in their hands, and, carried towards the burning furnace. God never showed up there. The scripture records that the soldiers who threw them in died from the scourge of the furnace. They were eventually in the middle of the furnace. And, alas, a man was waiting to receive them in the furnace. While they were being accused, he never showed up; they were bound, he didn’t show up; they were bundled to be burnt, he didn’t show up; He came through right amid the furnace.  

He always shows up! He is not a man.

Do you remember how Mary and Martha felt Jesus never showed up after they had called him four days earlier?(John 11) Lazarus was already dead and buried.  As soon as Jesus arrived, they told Him if only He had shown up earlier. They felt He was late and in the natural, He truly was late but the agenda is always for a net breaking glory, Jesus eventually showed up. And He turned the situation around.

Jairus' daughter was dying. He had called on Jesus but Jesus got intercepted by the woman with the issue of blood, and, not long, a message came from his house that his daughter had died (Mark 5:21). He was told he needed not to worry Jesus anymore. But, if He has been called, it is His nature to always show up! He told the father of the girl not to worry but believe. Death isn’t final with Jesus. He shows up despite the circumstances and supposed level of damage.

He never fails to show up! He always shows up!

That issue that you are about declaring “dead” and it’s as though “if only God had answered,” you are receiving the best attention for the most glorious celebration concerning it. Waiting on God for the fruit of the womb? Been searching for a job? Marital partner and you seem to have crossed the “easy to find age” according to man? Having issues with your health? Whatever it is friends, God always shows up!

If you have ever called Him to the case, He can be trusted. Friend, be rest assured that He always shows up!

“For the scriptures tells us that no one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed” Rom 1:11

Be Innovated

Olufemi Ibitoye