Faith the sixth sense

Faith the Sixth Sense

Faith the Sixth Sense ABILITY HAMANDISHE

Copyright Š 2016 Ability Hamandishe First edition 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/ individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

ISBN 978-0-620-72615-3 eISBN 978-0-620-72616-0 Published by Author using Reach Publishers’ services, P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631 Printed and bound by Mega Digital Printers Edited by Marisha Robson for Reach Publishers Cover designed by Reach Publishers, Cover Image from Freepik.com Website: www.reachpublishers.co.za E-mail: reach@webstorm.co.za

Contents

1.

Prologue/Introduction 9

2.

Master the Tempest is Raging

11

3.

What is Faith?

15

a) Human Beings are Faithful in Nature

15

b) Faith Principle 1: Invite Him on Your Occasion and Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It.

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c) Faith Principle 2: Hoping and Acting Beyond the Ordinary. 19 d) Faith Principle 3: Faith Knows Exactly What You Want, Point It By Name, Mention It as Is.

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e) Faith Principle 4: As long as We Focus Our Eyes on Jesus Even If Storms Rage We Will Not Sink.

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f) Faith Principle 5: Even If You Are in the Midst of a Million People, Through Your Faith, Jesus Will Notice.

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g) Faith Principle 6 : Faith Has No Distance as God’s Hand Is Not Limited, So You Do Not Need to Be Physically Present Where They Are Healing.

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h) Faith Principle 7 : Experience Does Not Count When Faith Plays a Part.

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i) Faith Principle 8 : Faith Is a Doing Word. Action and More Action Manifest Faith Regardless of Consequence. 29 1)

Faith a Doing Word

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2)

4.

Faith Makes You Do the Unusual and Unexpected, Behaving as if You are Not Normal.

31

3)

Faith Makes One Even Commit Treason.

32

4)

Action Packed – Heroes of Faith

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When GOD does Not Make Sense!

38

a) The Need For the Sixth Sense – Faith.

38

b) Unconfessed Sin Making God Not Hear Our Prayers

41

c) Running Away From God and Refusing to Do as He Says

48

1)

Jonah’s Disobedience

48

2)

Pharaoh’s Stubbornness

51

3)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Stubbornness

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d) The Donkey That is Saving Us From Destruction

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f) The Devil Testing Your Character

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g) The Quest for the Unknown That Will Trouble Us in Future-Hezekiah h) When the Problem is for the Glory of God

89 98

i) Maybe You Have Done Your Part and It’s Time for You to Rest in Heaven 5.

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Benefits and Rewards of Faith (The Power of Prayer)

108

a) Double Benefit Promise

108

b) Strange Solutions to Day-to-Day Problems

109

c) Unique Battle Strategies

111

d) Fighting the Lord’s Cause

115

e) Trips to Remember 1

116

f) Trips to Remember 2

120

g) Excellent Service Head Office Promotion

124

h) Outstanding Achievements Awards

126

1)

The Longest Day Award

126

2)

Sun Reverse Motion Award

129

3)

Rain Controller Award

131

4)

Lifetime Award

135

5)

My Friend Title

135

6)

My Son Title

136

7)

Endless Meal Award

144

8)

Amazing Debt Payment Award—Unending Oil From the Pot

6.

145

Conclusion 146

Prologue/Introduction

j It takes more than common sense to understand spiritual matters. Our God’s doings are marvellous. He speaks and things come into existence from nothing. Yes, I know you are already struggling to follow me because we are so used to the idea that engineers and mechanics have to combine different parts to make a certain product, or that pharmacists have to mix ingredients to give us medicine. But it is not like that for our mighty creator. He spoke the world into existence from nothing. Common sense will fail to comprehend this.

The impossible becomes very possible with God. He enters and exits through doors that are locked. We know that for a child to be born, a woman and a man must have a sexual relationship. Doctors and scientists tell us that fertilization must occur before the embryo can develop in the mother’s womb.

Not so with the Master Jesus Christ; he defied all the laws of nature. He was born to a virgin—a locked door. Even death could not contain him. He exited through that locked door and rose from the dead. He defied logic and the force of gravity by walking on water as if he was walking on hard rock. You have 9

seen leaves that weigh less than 20 grams floating on water but here we have a grown man of 33 marching on water. He fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish—and when they were full, there was so much food left over that baskets and baskets could not contain it. When those at the party in Canaan had no more wine he turned water into wine that was better than the wine that had been served earlier. To crown it all he loved us so much that he left his kingdom—his father’s place, and his princely title, to come to earth only to be killed by the very people he intended to save. He died a shameful death like a criminal just to give us a second chance. He could have said, ‘enough,’ and created other human beings but he loved us unto death so that we could have a second chance and be called sons and daughters of God. It takes more than common sense to understand this man and to follow him and his purpose. All we need is to have faith in him and know that he is in control. He was, is, and shall remain in control—our KING, the KING of KINGS, the ALPHA and OMEGA.

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Chapter 1

Master the Tempest is Raging j

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

And he said unto them, where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, what manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Luke 8:22–25, KJV—also found in Mark 4:35–4 and Matthew 8:23–27

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rom the passage of scripture above we can see that the spiritual journey originated with the Master himself. He is the one who said, ‘Let us go over to the other side’. He also chose 11

the mode of transport—the boat. When the Master places us in a mode of transport, he is also in it; in other words, he is with us throughout the journey. But wait, he decided to sleep.

A storm came down on the lake. The boat filled with water and the disciples were in jeopardy. I can imagine that some of them (Peter for example) drew on a lifetime of experience as fishermen—but to no avail. Keeping in mind that we are on a journey from earth to heaven, how many times in this Christian experience have we relied on our own strength to try and solve spiritual matters? The Master himself commanded us to take this journey. Our mode of transport is the Christian walk (The Church). On the way, storms arise be they marital problems, problematic children who do not listen to their parents, lack of food, clothes, or shelter; sickness, discouragements, unloving communities, or childlessness— you name them. Faced with these, we tend to forget that it was the Master who asked us to take the journey in the first place and that he is with us throughout the journey. We try everything in our power to solve those problems—we take the best that counselling, love potions or muti can offer. For troublesome children we take drastic measures—not giving them food, getting them arrested, or behaviour muti—but all these actually make the situation worse. How long have you been drinking that potion so that you could have a child? And still nothing has happened. How long have you been giving your husband that love potion? But he actually has more girlfriends now. Yes, the tempest is raging. We have wasted time following people who promise us the luck to win the lotto or 12

other jackpots but the truth is we’re getting poorer every day.

They are the ones making money out of us. Some have gone into serious crime having been told that if you need to get rich you have to kill someone. Death sentences and long-term jail sentences are awaiting them. Some faced with the diseases of the day have been told their disease would disappear if they raped a small child. What have they achieved? Guilt concerns, and murder, and they are now even more hopeless. The Lord helps us.

Thank God, the disciples remembered that the Master was with them and only sleeping. They woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master we perish’. He rebuked the wind saying, ‘Peace, be still,’ and nature obeyed him.

When everything was calm he posed the question, ‘Where is your Faith?’

Brethren and Sisters on the spiritual journey ordained for us by the Master himself, storms are going to rage. The only thing that will keep us focused on the journey, knowing that we will reach our destination is faith. Remember the Master himself is with us. He will tell the raging storm to be still so that peace prevails. But what holds us together in the midst of a storm? FAITH: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may 13

be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:2–6, KJV

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Chapter 2

What is Faith? j

a)

Human Beings are Faithful in Nature Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Hebrews 11:1–3, KJV

H

uman beings are faithful by nature. When you drive your car you have to have faith in the engineers that built it and the mechanic that looks after it. If you don’t believe the brakes and other mechanical systems are operating perfectly you won’t drive it. It’s the same if you take a bus or train to work every day. You have to have faith in the driver and the mechanical systems in the bus, taxi, or train, to get you to 15

work otherwise you wouldn’t take the ride.

For you to sit in a house, or go to an office, you have to have faith that the builders did a good job, and that the building inspectors checked and certified that the building was worth living in.

If you think you will feel sick after eating the meal you are about to eat will you eat it anyway? Of course not, because you do not have faith in the recipe, or the cook, or the hygienic conditions in which it was prepared.

Why do you think a traffic cop asks for your driver’s license when he stops you for a routine check, even if you weren’t driving badly? He wants to know that someone had enough faith in you to give you a license after having tested whether or not you could drive.

We put work references at the end of a CV. If people at another company can say they have faith in you, it becomes clear that you have done the job before, that is why experience is required. People can have faith in your ability if they know you have done something before.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is that we are naturally faithful.

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But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6, KJV

When the Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth, he healed people with different ailments. Key to these healings was the question, ‘do you believe?’ or he would say, ‘your faith has healed you’. Let’s look at these scenarios and see what faith entails:

b)

Faith Principle 1: Invite Him on Your Occasion and Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It.

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,10 17

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

John 2:1–11, KJV

Faith is total dependence on Jesus Christ. We have to invite him in our life or our occasion and whatever he says that we should do, we must do. At Cana he performed his first miracle.

The couple at the wedding feast had a situation; the wine had run out. It seemed that this wedding was therefore doomed to have a bad ending. However, because Jesus was invited, he took care of the situation. His mother asked him to help.

She told the people at the wedding to do as he instructed. He asked them to fill the jars with water and take the water to the master of ceremony. These people had to obey. Imagine giving someone water which you know for sure is water because you had to put it in the jar yourself, but then you hear people after tasting it saying that the wine is even better than any they had already drunk that evening.

Remember to trust in God totally, hoping only in him and depending on none other. Do that which he says you should do for he says: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.�

Matthew 19:26, KJV

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David says: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalms 20:7

God is our fortress, he is our refuge, trust in him, he is the only true hope.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5–6, KJV

c)

Faith Principle 2: Hoping and Acting Beyond the Ordinary.

AFTER this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into

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the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.

John 5:1–9, KJV

Bethesda is a Hebrew word which means house of grace.

How long have you been in your present situation? Every time someone talks to you, you tell them how difficult it is to get healing. Jesus asked the man, ‘Wilt thou be made whole?’ and the man started telling Jesus how no-one would help him to the water so others were always there first. Indeed thirty eight years is a lifetime. Some do not even manage to live that long. The answer to Jesus’ question was ‘yes but’. The Lord said ‘No buts. Rise, take up your bed and walk.’

Hold on for a moment. The man had been in this situation for 38 years…. Or at least, we know he had been in Bethesda for that long. We do not know whether or not he was born cripple or how he got to Bethesda. Maybe his relatives had given up on him and taken him there.

The Master said, ‘Rise, take up thy bed and walk’. This is amazing.

If the man had ever been able to walk, surely after 38 years he would have forgotten how. Because he had faith and believed in the Master, he did what he knew he would be able to—rising and walking—and immediately he was made whole; he took up his bed, and walked. We know that if you are paralysed or have an accident, you need to go for therapy to be able to 20

walk properly again. But because of faith the impossible was made possible. Glory to God. What is your situation? How long have you been there? Focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in him and he will give you the strength to overcome.

So we see here that faith means hoping and acting beyond the ordinary.

Another case that emphasises this principle is found in The Gospel of Mark: AND again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, 21

and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Mark 2:1–12, KJV

In the oxford dictionary, palsy is described as paralysis—being unable to move due to disease or injury to the nerves. Here is a man unable to move because of a disease or an injury to the nerves. His friends, after failing to get access to Jesus through the door because there were so many people, came up with a plan to get him to the Master. They broke the roof of the house and dropped his friend right in front of the Master of the universe, King Jesus Christ. When Jesus saw the friend’s faith, he said to the bed ridden man, ‘Arise and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house’. And immediately the man stood up, took his bed, and went forth before them all! You can be healed because of your friend’s faith. If you have the right friends, they will bring you to Jesus’ feet and you will not remain unchanged; but this does not mean the bed ridden man did not have faith. He had to obey the command, ‘Arise and take up thy bed’. Had he decided to say, ‘How can I Arise when I have an injured nerve,’ the healing miracle would not have happened. He had faith in the speaker—Christ himself.

He arose and it was given to him. No more sleeping on the mat he had to carry.

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d)

Faith Principle 3: Faith Knows Exactly What You Want, Point It By Name, Mention It as Is.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Mark 10:46–52, KJV also found in Luke 18:35–43

How often do we beat about the bush when asked what we want? Bartimaeus knew exactly what he wanted: ‘My sight Lord’. So many times people around us who do not feel the pain and agony in us want us to keep quiet and stop us from crying out to the Lord. Some of them actually benefit from our weakness. They want us to die in sin while enjoying the fruits of our wickedness and then when things turn out badly they laugh at us. When we get help they want to pretend to be on our side. You will have many friends when you are 23

drinking and buying beer (with stolen money), but when you get arrested they will turn around and say, ‘We knew he would not get far’. Bartimaeus ignored distractions and shouted even louder for help from the son of David until Jesus called him. The same people who had been discouraging him changed and now said, ‘Be of good cheer he calls you’. When Jesus asked him what he wanted he said, ‘My sight Lord,’ and Jesus said, ‘Your faith has healed you’. The principle of faith at work here is that faith knows exactly what you want.

Brethren how many times do we pray in circles: ‘God Bless me, God bless that’. To all these the Lord asks, ‘What exactly do you want my son or daughter?’ and you must tell the Lord: ‘I want more money for ABC’, or ‘I am tired of this sin Lord’.

Mention the thing you want by name. ‘These are my plans Lord, grant them to me if it is your will’.

e)

Faith Principle 4: As long as We Focus Our Eyes on Jesus Even If Storms Rage We Will Not Sink.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they 24

cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 14:22–31, KJV

The principle of faith here is that as long as we focus on Jesus, even if storms rage, we will not sink. The moment we turn and focus on the size of the storm we begin to sink. Once again we fail to continue walking in faith and we become doubtful. Total dependence on Christ—not fear of the trouble or size of the trouble— is faith. When Peter did not look at anything but the Master, he walked on water, but when he focused on the storm he began to sink. Thank God our maker that he is immediately willing to extend his hand no matter what. All we need to do is shout, ‘Lord, help’. We forget that Peter had to go to Jesus and then come back with him to the boat. The doubt happened on his way to Jesus. The Bible does not tell us that Jesus carried Peter to the boat, meaning he walked again to the boat on the water, side by side with the LORD.

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f)

Faith Principle 5: Even If You Are in the Midst of a Million People, Through Your Faith, Jesus Will Notice.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Mark 5:25–34, KJV also in Matthew 9:20–22 and Luke 8:43–48

The principle of faith here is that even if you are among a million people, Jesus will notice your faith. It is not a numbers game. You might not even have noticed what you were doing but the Lord your God is watching. Jesus was walking along as though encouraging the woman to be faithful and when she touched the hem of his garment he stopped and turned and asked who had touched him. The disciples, seeing how many people where around Jesus, did not understand his question.

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But Jesus who sees inside the heart didn’t see the multitude.

He saw the nameless woman who had suffered for twelve years and who by faith had drawn the power to stop an ailment that had taken everything from her and was only getting worse. Perhaps her husband had left her for another woman.

You do not have to get prayer warriors to communicate with the Master. In fact not even the disciples understood what the woman had done, but Jesus knew. What is your problem?

Take it to the Lord.

g)

Faith Principle 6 : Faith Has No Distance as God’s Hand Is Not Limited, So You Do Not Need to Be Physically Present Where They Are Healing.

NOW when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having 27

under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Story found in Luke 7:1–10, KJV and Matthew 8:5–13

The principle of faith here is that faith has no distance.

God’s hand is not limited. He commands and it will be done. You can actually be healed by other people’s faith, not even knowing that they are praying for you. Do not worry that your child is sick or misbehaving. Speak to Jesus, your child will be healed or start behaving normally, just as the servant was told that his master had spoken to the chief of Masters and he was healed.

h)

Faith Principle 7 : Experience Does Not Count When Faith Plays a Part.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that 28

they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Luke 5:4–11, KJV

The principle of faith here is that experience doesn’t count where faith is involved. As an experienced professional fisherman, Peter tried to tell Jesus that there would be a good catch at night, but later he realised who he was talking to and said, ‘Because you say so I will let down my net’. It doesn’t matter if you have tried to do something before. Trying alone and trying with faith in Jesus’ command are different.

i)

Faith Principle 8 : Faith Is a Doing Word. Action and More Action Manifest Faith Regardless of Consequence.

1)

Faith a Doing Word What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath 29

faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:14–26, KJV

The principle of faith here is that faith is a doing word. It suggests action and more action. You have to manifest faith. If you have two sons and you ask for water, and one says okay but does not bring it, and the other says nothing but brings it, which of the two has obeyed you? Of course—the one who brings it. Talking and doing are two different things with different meanings. Doing produces or manifests one’s character.

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In fact, the word ‘Christians’ was used to mock ‘those who do as Christ did’. Jesus said, ‘You will know them by their fruits,’ and faith is the fruit of obedience.

2) Faith Makes You Do the Unusual and Unexpected, Behaving as if You are Not Normal.

In the same way we see that faith makes people do unusual things. Imagine Abraham having to tell his wife, Sarah, ‘My condolences, your son Isaac is dead’.

‘How is he dead?’ Sarah would have asked, ‘because you left together’.

‘I killed him. I tied him on the altar, he was the lamb.’

‘I guess you have gone mad’.

That would have been the only logical explanation Sarah would have been able to come to. Abraham had sired Isaac at ninety. How would he ever get another son? Thanks to faith, Abraham taught the boy Isaac well. He had faith. If the Lord said he was to be the lamb he thought ‘so let it be’. He did not fight the old man even though it was in his power to do so.

Being the lamb for his father was okay with Isaac, so when his father tied him up, he would have reasoned, ‘The Lord knows what the father and the son are experiencing.’ When the Lord said ‘Enough I saw that, there is a lamb for sacrifice,’ 31

father and son, sacrificed together with joy. When it comes to faith, you don’t have to tell everyone what you are up to.

Some journeys must be taken alone and those are often the journeys that matter most. Abraham did not tell Sarah about the request the Lord had made at first because he had learned from experience. When he had told Sarah that God was going to make him the father of a nation at ninety, Sarah had told him to approach Haggai believing that she herself would not be able to have a child for Abraham. But that was not God’s plan. Isaac came in due time. This time around, Abraham just followed Gods instruction. When they got to the mountain, he left the servants behind, so that they wouldn’t disturb him.

When the Lord speaks to you, listen and follow his command; it’s not a crowd or peer issue.

3)

Faith Makes One Even Commit Treason.

AND Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: 32

pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou 33

hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

Joshua 2:1–24, KJV

Faith can make you commit high treason but you won’t be scared of the consequences if the Lord told you to do it. Rahab committed treason by keeping spies and sending them on their way but she was not scared of authority. She would have been given the death sentence for her crime but she had done what was right in the Lord’s eyes. Rahab believed in the God of Israel even though she was not an Israelite. She had heard about how powerful God was, how the Israelites had crossed 34

the red sea, and how they were made to conquer. She was not destroyed when Jericho was destroyed, in fact, she married a good man and she is one of Jesus’ ancestors.

4)

Action Packed – Heroes of Faith By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the 35

sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

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Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:4–40, KJV

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Chapter 3

When GOD does Not Make Sense! j

a)

The Need For the Sixth Sense – Faith.

B

rethren, our lives revolve around our senses: smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch. We need proof to believe that something exists. We have to smell it to be able to believe that it smells nice. There is an old argument about what came first, the chicken or the egg? Debates have gone on, but the truth is that God created the chicken first. The first man was not born; he was created from dust by God himself. Adam never experienced his umbilical cord being cut. He never wore a nappy, and never passed through the crawling stage. He was ready for marriage the day he was created. It may sound like a movie, but there were two real people who never experienced suckling at their mother’s breasts, never tasted baby milk. God created Adam and Eve as adults.

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Let’s take this further. Scientists can tell us how old a tree is by counting the circles on a cross section of the trunk. When God created the world, a day old tree had so many of these because he spoke the word and there was a fully grown tree. Not just one, but a whole forest, not just in one country but everywhere on earth. Because we do not understand that mountains, rivers and oceans, sand, and stones were created by God as is, we come up with theories to explain how long it takes for a stone to become sand through corrosion or how flat land will become a river and later an ocean over billions of years. In fact all of this was created in six days. How great is God, our maker? He spoke things into existence and created something from nothing. Yes our minds are too small to comprehend this.

We need the sixth sense. Faith sees beyond reason and simply states: God says and thus it is, God commanded, I shall follow, God wants it, his will be done. We need spiritual eyes to understand spiritual things.

The Bible teaches us: ask, and it will be given unto you, seek and you shall find. But then why do we not get when we ask?

Why do we not find when we seek?

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1 John 5:14–15, KJV

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This is the confidence that we have in him: that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us. Why according to his will?

Because we cannot see the end from the beginning. Think of it like this: If a two year old child is crying to play with a knife, do you say, ‘I see your tears—okay I’ll give it to you, I do not want you to cry’? The end result is that the child will be hurt.

So too, our father wants the best for us and knows what that is.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28, KJV

I remember a story my mother always told me. She would travel by bus to buy vegetables for resale at the local market.

One day she was late. When she got to the bus stop the bus was already there and everyone wanted to get in so she got in last and had to stand by the door. Before the bus pulled off, and to everyone’s surprise, the conductor told her to get off the bus saying, ‘Out—the bus is full’. She was the only one who was kicked off the bus. Crying and not knowing what else to do, she waited for the next bus. Thirty minutes later she was on another bus, twenty kilometres away from the big market where she bought her vegetables. There was traffic piling up ahead and when she saw what had caused the traffic jam she could not help but cry out, ‘That was the bus with the conductor who kicked me off’. Everyone who had been by the doorway was dead, including the driver and the conductor, 40

and around thirty people had lost their lives. The rest had permanent injuries. As she continued her journey she stopped crying and told everyone how amazingly merciful the saviour is.

There are many examples in the Bible where we can see how, despite difficult circumstances, faith kept people strong. They believed in a God who said he was in control so everything was going to be okay. Sometimes when it seems like things are going wrong, our senses tell us other stories but faith sees God sitting on the throne.

b)

Unconfessed Sin Making God Not Hear Our Prayers

59 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.5 They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.7 Their feet run to evil, and they 41

make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah 59:1-17, KJV

If we harbour unconfessed sins in our hearts or cherish sins, the Lord 42

will hide his face from us. He will not hear our prayers. If we oppress our fellow man, the marker of them will not want to answer our own prayers. The Bible made it clear that: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24Â Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

23Â

Matthew 5:23-24, KJV

It is not enough to say I have repented and confessed my sins without reconciling with our brothers or sisters.

The Bible is abound with examples where as individuals we treat each other unfairly and the Lord says he sees everything. Those who work for us even our maids, gardeners, who ever they may be must be treated fairly.

4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

James 5:4, KJV

The way we treat others, especially the less fortunate than us, those who do not have, do we treat them like they are lesser human beings.

Do we share with them? Or do we just treat them as if they are not human beings. We do not pity them. The Lord their God will in turn not pity us in our time of need.

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The poor and the rich have one thing in common the lord made them all.

Proverbs 22:2

Jesus himself said these words: “35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?

39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” Matthew 25:35-40.

Jesus Christ also said: “3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:3-9, KJV

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When Jesus Christ gave counsel on how to pray and what to pray for he said: “6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 45

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

Matthew 6:1-18, KJV

It is of paramount importance that we do not take trust in the Lord (Faith) like it is a political exercise where we show off that we are the faithful ones. It is not something that we do to brag and be seen on TV or gain media coverage. Remember, faith in the Lord and prayer is about taking from and asking God. He is our father and we are his children. We have a relationship. We do not go out to show people that ‘look we have a relationship’. The relationship manifests itself. Also of key importance is that it is important to forgive others if we want God to forgive us.

The prophet Isaiah also counsels as follows: 58 “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God.3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, 46

And exploit all your laborers.4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord?6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’“If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.11 The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, And 47

shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,14 Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.�

Isaiah 58:1-14

If we want our prayers answered by God, we must forsake all manner of sin and pride and learn to depend totally on him. We need to pity our brethren and show mercy and compassion to others, to show others love and manifest in us brotherly love.

c)

Running Away From God and Refusing to Do as He Says

1)

Jonah’s Disobedience Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and 48

cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.14 Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.

Jonah 1:1-16, KJV

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Jonah decided to run away from God by choosing to go in a different direction to where God had said he must go. He had his reason for not wanting to go there. But his reason did not justify him disobeying God. Remember, the first Faith principle is to do as he says regardless of what we think might be right. As Jonah was running away from God the Bible says he went down to Jopper, down to the ship and in the ship he went down to the luggage section. So the decision to run away from God resulted in him always going down. Also note that he paid to run away from God and when the wind was wreaking havoc on the sea, the other passenger on board the ship paid dearly because of Jonah. They had to throw away their luggage to make the ship light. So it costs everyone dearly when you run away from God. You also make others around you suffer.

The sea was unfriendly only because Jonah was running away from God. Sometimes when God does not make sense we need to check if we are not running away from God. He uses even nature to track us down. Some situations that are painful in our lives are only trying to tell us to seek the Lord’s face.

Stop running away and: “18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Isaiah1:18, KJV

The moment Jonah said ‘lift me and throw me into the ocean’, 50

the sea was quiet and God provided free transport to the correct destination.

Many a time, we speak of God being the God of second chances.

It is true he provides second chances, but if this is because we are running away, these second chances are not comfortable at all. If Jonah had gone to Nenive of his own accord as directed, it would have been a comfortable journey for him. Now this second chance was another story. He had to spend three days in the belly of a fish after being swallowed by the fish in the ocean and then being vomited out at the end of the journey.

2)

Pharaoh’s Stubbornness They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.

Jeremiah 46:17

We also find Pharaoh of Egypt doing the same, asking who is God that he should listen to him and allow the children of Israel to go. Nature mocked him ten times as if picketing to say ‘are you serious, you do not know who God is’ even mocking his own Egyptian gods.

The 10 plagues of Egypt were individual yet sequential supernatural acts that God of the Israelites executed through Moses and Aaron against the Pharaoh of Egypt. The 10 plagues were God’s consequence to Pharaoh’s refusal to free the Israelites 51

from bondage so they could worship God. The plagues also demonstrate GOD’s superiority to the gods of Egypt and each plague insulted various Egyptian gods.

It is often observed that the 10 plagues increased in intensity as they progressed. They are sometimes categorised into three “cycles” each cycle containing three plagues, with the climactic plague occurring last. In “Cycle 1,” there were the plagues of: blood, frogs, and gnats or lice. In “Cycle 2,” there were the plagues of: flies, livestock, and boils. In “Cycle 3,” there were the plagues of: hail, locusts, and darkness. And the 10th plague was the death of the firstborn.

Descriptions of the 10 Plagues of Egypt 1.

Water turned to blood

Summary: In this plague, the fish die, the river smells, and the people don’t have drinkable, usable water. Pharaoh’s magicians duplicate this plague.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 7:14-25 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Khnum (guardian of the Nile), Hapi (spirit of the Nile), Orisis (god of the underworld), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? Yes.

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Who was the immediate agent? Aaron.

Was a staff used? Yes. Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes, but he never did.

2.

The plague of frogs

Summary: In this plague, frogs come out of the water and cover the land. Pharaoh’s magicians duplicate this plague. (It is the last one they are able to reproduce.)

Where is this plague described? Exodus 8:1-15 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Heqt (associated with fertility and childbirth), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? Yes. Who was the immediate agent? Aaron.

Was a staff used? Yes. Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

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3.

The plague of gnats/lice

Summary: In this plague, all the dust of Egypt becomes a swarm of gnats/lice.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 8:16-19 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Seth (an earth god), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? None mentioned.

Who was the immediate agent? Aaron.

Was a staff used? Yes. Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

4.

The plague of flies

Summary: In this plague, swarms of flies cover the land of Egypt.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 8:20-32 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Hathor (a goddess represented by a cow), perhaps others as well.

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Was there a warning? Yes. Who was the immediate agent? God. Was a staff used? Not mentioned.

Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

5.

The plague against livestock

Summary: In this plague, all the Egyptians’ livestock die, but the Israelites’ don’t.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 9:1-7 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Ptah (god of Memphis), Hathor (a goddess represented by a cow), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? Yes. Who was the immediate agent? God. Was a staff used? Not mentioned.

Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

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6.

The plague of boils

Summary: In this plague, boils break out on all people in Egypt.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 9:8-12 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Any god represented by an animal, like Hathor Was there a warning? None mentioned.

Who was the immediate agent? Moses Was a staff used? Not mentioned.

Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

7.

The plague of hail

Summary: In this plague, hailstorms kill all slaves and animals not brought under cover in response to the warning that this calamity was coming. These storms also destroyed vegetation.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 9:13-35 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Seth (an earth god), Nut (the sky goddess), Serapis (the god of fire and 56

water), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? Yes Who was the immediate agent? Moses Was a staff used? Not mentioned.

Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

8.

The plague of locusts

Summary: In this plague, locusts cover the land and eat the remaining vegetation not destroyed by the hail.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 10:1-20 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Isis (the goddess of life), Seth (an earth god), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? Yes Who was the immediate agent? Moses Was a staff used? Yes Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

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9.

The plague of darkness

Summary: In this plague, complete darkness covers Egypt for three days.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 10:21-29 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Re (or Amun, the sun god and chief deity of Thebes), perhaps others as well.

Was there a warning? None mentioned.

Who was the immediate agent? Moses Was a staff used? Yes Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes but he never did.

10. The death of the firstborn Summary: In this plague, the firstborn of the people and cattle of Egypt die, but the Israelites are spared.

Where is this plague described? Exodus 11:1-10, 12:29-32 Which Egyptian gods were insulted by this? Pharaoh (who was considered divine), perhaps others as well.

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Was there a warning? Yes Who was the immediate agent? God Was a staff used? Yes Did Pharaoh promise to let the Israelites go? Yes Pharaoh refused to let the children of God go. God dealt with him; the more he refused the more severe God came done on him. Yes Pharaoh was given second chances but the more chances he was given the more painful they were. Nature talked, nature mocked him, nature showed him who God was. Even when he did not want the child of God to go, God showed him he (Pharaoh) that he could not stop God. It does not pay to refuse to listen to and obey God. We will end up being history, as God is God. So when we sometimes see that God is not making sense, we need to check and see if we are obeying him; sometimes he is talking and telling us to obey him. Refusal means he will continue talking and the more he talks the harsher his language is to us.

After letting the Israelites go, Pharaoh had an after-thought and decided to pursue them to bring them back. I think the King Pharaoh’s memory was short as he quickly forgot that God had made them, because he had shown him he was God. At the Red Sea, God told Moses he would get glory over Pharaoh and prove that the Lord is God. After the Hebrews left Egypt, the king changed his mind and was angry that he 59

had lost his source of slave labour. He summoned his 600 best chariots, all the other chariots in the land, and marched his massive army in pursuit. The Israelites seemed to be trapped. Mountains stood on one side, the Red Sea in front of them. When they saw Pharaoh’s soldiers coming, they were terrified. Grumbling against God and Moses, they said they would rather be slaves again than die in the desert. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV) The angel of God, in a pillar of cloud, stood between the people and the Egyptians, protecting the Hebrews. Then Moses stretched his hand out over the sea. The Lord caused a strong east wind to blow all night, parting the waters and turning the sea floor into dry land. During the night, the Israelites fled through the Red Sea, a wall of water to their right and to their left. The Egyptian army charged in after them. Watching the chariots race ahead, God threw the army into a panic, clogging their chariot wheels to slow them down. Once the Israelites were safe on the other side, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand again. As morning returned, the sea rolled back in, covering the Egyptian army, its chariots and horses. Not one man survived.

Let us stop disobeying God, as the end result is perishing.

Pharaoh had ten defeat marks but continued to be stubborn 60

and eventually his 600 chariot arm perished. I wonder what they thought because how do you follow people walking on dry land in an ocean and you do not know who opened it.

3)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Stubbornness 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Daniel 4:37, KJV

35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Daniel 4:35, KJV

This chapter is actually a letter. When we write a letter, we sign it at the bottom. Back in Bible times, they did something interesting when they signed their letters. They signed them at the beginning of the letter. This actually makes a lot of sense.

This way, when a person received a letter, he or she knew right away who sent it. So, look at the first couple of words in Daniel 4. This letter is written to everyone in the whole world!

Wow. This must contain some really cool stuff. Let’s see what this mighty king thought was so important that he should write a letter to the entire world. He begins:

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I am pleased to tell you what has happened. The Most High God has done miraculous signs and wonders for me. His miraculous signs are great. His wonders are mighty. His kingdom will last forever. His rule will never end.

Daniel 4:2-3

I was at home in my palace. I was content and very successful.

But I had a dream that made me afraid. I was lying on my bed. Then dreams and visions passed through my mind. They terrified me.

Daniel 4:4-5

Another dream. Once again, King Nebuchadnezzar called on all of his wise men to explain the dream to him. And, of course, none of them could. Finally, he called on Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel by a Babylonian name, Belteshazzar. He told Daniel his dream. In Daniel 2 The King had a dream, which he could not remember. He called all his sorcerers and magicians but they did not know the dream.

Daniel told him only God can understand it. He was told the dream and interpretation. He saw a statue made of different metals; Nebuchadnezzar saw a giant image that looked very powerful and shone brightly. Seeing this image frightened and bothered him, but a king of his magnitude and stature does not frighten easily (Daniel 2:1). The head of the image was made of fine gold; the chest and its arms were made of silver. Its belly and thighs were made of brass, its legs were made of iron and its feet were made of iron and clay.

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Daniel’s Interpretation “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all, you are this head of gold. But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.

Daniel 2.37-43:

This meant that his kingdom was going to pass (Babylon) and another (medo Persian) would follow, then followed by (Greece), followed by (Rome), then the feet would divide the kingdoms of Europe, and the one that is going to rule for ever.

In fact, in Chapter 2, the king was given the world events as they would be. In Chapter 3 of Daniel he decided to change this and make the whole statue of gold. This means that he was saying ‘God your world plan is not going to happen. I, 63

King Nebuchadnezzar will rule for ever and ever’. He then forced everyone to worship that statue.

First when the Hebrew boys, Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Abednego and Meshach refused to worship his image, he asked them which God was going to help them and protect them from his power. God showed him who he was. He knew he had thrown three people in the fire. The fire was made hotter seven times and even the people who threw the three Hebrew boys in the fire were killed by the fire themselves.

14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont 64

to be heated.20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

Daniel 3:14-26

But then he saw a fourth man in the fire who he himself acknowledged was the Son of God. As he continued with his pride, the events of chapter 4 then took place. “Here are the visions I saw while I was lying on my bed. I looked up and saw a tree standing in the middle of the land.

It was very tall. It had grown to be large and strong. Its top 65

touched the sky. It could be seen anywhere on earth. Its leaves were beautiful. It had a lot of fruit on it. It provided enough food for people and animals. Under the tree, the wild animals found shade. The birds of the air lived in its branches. Every creature was fed from that tree. While I was still lying on my bed, I looked up. In my visions, I saw a holy messenger. He was coming down from heaven. He called out in a loud voice.

He said, ‘Cut the tree down. Break off its branches. Strip its leaves off. Scatter its fruit. Let the animals that are under it run away. Let the birds that are in its branches fly off. But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. Let it stay in the field. Put a band of iron and bronze around it. Let King Nebuchadnezzar become wet with the dew of heaven. Let him live like the animals among the plants of the earth. Let him no longer have the mind of a man. Instead, let him be given the mind of an animal. Let him stay that way until seven periods of time pass by. ‘The decision is announced by holy messengers. So all who are alive will know that the Most High God is King. He rules over all of the kingdoms of men. He gives them to anyone He wants. Sometimes He puts the least important men in charge of them.’ ” Daniel 4:10-17

Daniel Explains The Dream (Daniel 4:1-18) Daniel knew that this dream was all about King Nebuchadnezzar, and it was not all good news. He told Nebuchadnezzar that he wished the dream were about the King’s enemies instead of the King. He explained:

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“My King, you are that tree! You have become great and strong. Your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky.

Your rule has spread to all parts of the earth.”

Daniel 4:22

That was the good news. But there was plenty of bad news too: “My King and master, here is what your dream means. The Most High God has given an order against you. You will be driven away from people. You will live like the wild animals. You will eat grass just as cattle do. You will become wet with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all of the kingdoms of men. He gives them to anyone he wants. “But he gave a command to leave the stump of the tree along with its roots. That means your kingdom will be given back to you. It will happen when you recognize that the God of heaven rules. “So, my king, I hope you will accept my advice. Stop being sinful. Do what is right. Give up your evil practices. Show kindness to those who are being treated badly. Then perhaps things will continue to go well with you.”

Daniel 4:24-27

God sent a clear warning to Nebuchadnezzar. Through Daniel, the Lord encouraged Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his sin before it was too late. However, the King did not take this warning to heart.

Nebuchadnezzar’s sins were very much like those of Pharaoh in Egypt and the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. All of these men 67

were puffed up with pride, and they mistreated the lowly (Exodus 1:11, 5:2; Matthew 23). Pride was the very sin of Satan (Ezekiel 28:15-17). The essential vice, the utmost evil, is pride.

Unchastely behaviour, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through pride that the devil became the devil. Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind. It is no wonder that God detests pride and opposes the proud (James 4:6, Proverbs 6:16-17). It is pride that leads men to believe we can live without Him. God wants us to stay close to Him and far from sin. When we are in sin, or close to things that tempt us, God gives us correction in several ways. He instructs us in His word (2 Timothy 3:16), through Bible teaching, and preaching (Matthew 12:41).

He speaks to us through prayer (Daniel 9:20-22). Often, He also uses those close to us - our parents, teachers, and friends - to let us know when we are making wrong decisions (Proverbs 13:1, 2 Samuel 12:9). It is so important for us to pay attention to God’s correction. God is patient, but when we choose to ignore His loving warnings, we will face the consequences of our sin (Proverbs 1:24-33).

The Dream Comes True (Daniel 4:28-33) Patiently, God gave Nebuchadnezzar an entire year in which to turn from his evil ways. Remember, this is the King’s own letter we are reading. Let’s take a closer look at Nebuchadnezzar’s attitude as he looked out over the kingdom. He said: 68

All of that happened to me. It took place twelve months later. I was walking on the roof of my palace in Babylon. I said, “Isn’t this the great Babylon I have built as a place for my royal palace? I used my mighty power to build it. It shows how glorious my majesty is.”

Daniel 4:28-30

There is a word that comes to mind. It is P-R-I-D-E. Pride is thinking too highly of oneself. Nebuchadnezzar thought that he had built the kingdom. In truth, God was the one who handed all of his prisoners over to him (Daniel 1:2). When Daniel interpreted his first dream, he said, “The God of heaven has given you authority and power. He has given you might and glory.” (Daniel 2:37) Pride makes us think that we do not need God. Pride separates us from God. Nebuchadnezzar did not give credit to his Creator, and His Creator had had enough. Listen to what happened next (in Nebuchadnezzar’s own words).

I was still speaking when a voice was heard from heaven. It said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, here is what has been ordered concerning you. Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people. You will live like the wild animals. You will eat grass just as cattle do. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all of the kingdoms of men.

He gives them to anyone He wants.”What had been said about me came true at once. I was driven away from people. I ate grass just as cattle do. My body became wet with the dew of heaven. I stayed that way until my hair grew like the feathers 69

of an eagle. My nails became like the claws of a bird.

Daniel 4:31-33

God had warned Nebuchadnezzar and had been very patient with him. But finally, the prediction came true. All of the things that he was so proud of were taken away. Remember the fine food at the King’s table that we read about in Daniel 1? That was taken from Nebuchadnezzar; he had to eat grass just like the goats and cows! He was used to living in a grand palace, but now he had no shelter over his head. For seven years, the great King Nebuchadnezzar lived out in the wilderness like an animal. He lost his mind; he became crazy (Daniel 4:34). Without God, he was helpless.

God’s word tells us that God stands against those who are proud (James 4:6). If we are proud of our own talents or abilities, looks or possessions, God may take those things away so we will see what is true - God is the One who gives every good thing that we have (James 1:17). Without God we are helpless.

We should never brag about what we have accomplished (1 Corinthians 5:6). The only thing we should ever brag about is that we know the Lord! (Jeremiah 9:24) King Nebuchadnezzar reigned from 605 BC–562 BC. There is a notable absence of any record of acts or decrees by King Nebuchadnezzar during 582 to 575 BC. - Gleason L. Archer, Vol 7 Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

Nebuchadnezzar Is Restored (Daniel 4:34-37) 70

Our story has a very happy ending though. Remember at the beginning of his letter, Nebuchadnezzar was bragging about the goodness of God. Here is why: At the end of that time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven. My mind became clear again. Then I praised the Most High God. I gave honor and glory to the One who lives forever. His rule will last forever. His kingdom will never end. He considers all of the nations on earth to be nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven. He does what He wants with the nations of the earth. No one can hold His hand back.

No one can say to Him, “What have you done?”My honor and glory were returned to me when my mind became clear again. The glory of my kingdom was given back to me. My advisers and nobles came to me. And I was put back on my throne. I became even greater than I had been before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise and honor and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right. All of his ways are fair.

He is able to bring down those who live proudly.

Daniel 4:34-37

After seven years of living like an animal, Nebuchadnezzar finally looked to God. Nebuchadnezzar changed his focus from himself to the one true God who deserved to be worshipped and praised. He turned from his pride and became humble. Right away, his mind was made right. God forgave Nebuchadnezzar and returned all that he had lost, plus a lot more. Proud people want to hide their mistakes so other people won’t know that they have faults. Humble people admit when they make mistakes. Nebuchadnezzar showed that he 71

became humble when he admitted his sin of pride in this letter that he wrote for the entire world to read. He also used the letter to praise God and declare that God was in control of everything.

We should notice that God brought Nebuchadnezzar low for his GOOD, not for his destruction. It was far more important for Nebuchadnezzar to know the one true God, and enter into God’s eternal Kingdom, than for him to live a carefree life on earth and die without knowing God. Today, we can struggle with pride just as much as Nebuchadnezzar did. Our pride makes us focus on ourselves instead of on God. Notice that “I” is in the centre of PRIDE. If you are focused on yourself, and you think that you can control the things in your life, your mind will be filled with fear and worry - just like Nebuchadnezzar in the wilderness. But when you understand the truth that God is in control of everything, your mind will be healthy and clear, and you will feel God’s peace (Galatians 5:22).

At times you will face difficult people or difficult situations in your life. When this happens, ask yourself this question: “Is God in control?” Of course, the answer is always YES! Knowing that God is in control, and that He always wants what’s best for you, will give you true peace. Our sanity is directly linked to God’s sovereignty. Legally speaking, insanity is when a person cannot distinguish reality from fantasy. In other words, a person who is insane cannot tell what is true and what is not true. It is not until a person recognises that God is sovereign (supreme or highest in power or authority; controlling; 72

preeminent; indisputable; being above all others in character, importance, excellence; greatest, utmost, paramount) that the person recognises the ultimate truth. Without this knowledge, a person’s thoughts are consumed with fear, worry, and stress.

With this knowledge, a person’s mind is transformed and at peace.

d)

The Donkey That is Saving Us From Destruction

AND the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they 73

came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you. And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. And 74

God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved 75

her alive And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Numbers 22:1–35, KJV

Balak, the king of the Moabites saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. He became distressed and asked Balaam the prophet to curse the Israelites for him. He knew that what the man of God blessed became blessed indeed, and that what he cursed became cursed indeed. Balak sent his officials to the prophet Balaam. The Prophet consulted God and was told that he was not to go with these men. The men went back but king Balak sent yet more honourable men and more gifts. The prophet knew that God had said no, but he decided to let the men stay for the night and wait to hear what God had to say.

God allowed him to go with them on condition that he would only do what God told him to.

The next morning he got up and saddled his donkey. God knew that Balak wanted to offer him money to curse the blessed and sent an angel to block him. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand and went into a field. Balaam beat the donkey to turn her back onto the path but the angel of the Lord blocked their way by standing between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself into the 76

wall crushing Balaam’s foot, and he beat her again. The angel of the Lord went further along the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he beat the donkey with a staff. The Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she said, ‘What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?’

Balaam did not even think to wonder how the donkey had spoken. Still in anger he said, ‘Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee’. The donkey said, ‘Am I not your donkey upon which you have ridden ever since I was yours unto this day? Have I done this before?’ Balaam said no.

The Lord opened Balaam’s eyes. When he saw the angel standing on the road with his sword drawn he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. The angel told him that if it had not been for the donkey he would have killed him. The donkey had saved his life. The angel had even intended to kill him and spare the donkey. He was allowed to continue his journey and not to curse the blessed nation but to bless them.

Indeed, he blessed them three times.

We get very angry when we don’t get what we want. We want that dream car but the Lord says no because he knows we speed so badly that the car will take us to an early grave. We want a certain amount of money but the Lord wants to give us just enough to live on, because he knows if we have too much we will be lost in pride and change our character. We 77

cry out wanting to be married to someone with lots of money, but the Lord knows that happiness will come, not from someone with lots of money, but from someone who really loves us. When we don’t get what we want we beat the donkey but the donkey is trying to save our lives. Our wishes and desires should align with God’s will—not our own will. Let us leave the decisions to God because he can see the tomorrows we cannot see.

e)

The Devil Blocks the Answer In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

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Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

Daniel 10:1–15, KJV

Daniel sought answers from God about a vision he’d had.

He fasted and prayed for 21 days and the answers did not come, but if we read chapter 2 of Daniel (the story in which his friends were thrown into the fiery furnace) we see that one like the son of man joined them in the fire at the same time.

When he was thrown to the lions an angel was sent to close the mouths of the lions immediately (Chapter 6). So why did it take 21 days for Gabriel to bring the answer? Gabriel tells the 79

story—the devil blocked his way for 21 days. Michael (Jesus) had to come to his aid so that he could deliver the message Daniel wanted. Gabriel told him that he had been sent the very day on which Daniel had started praying but the devil had blocked him.

Friends, sometimes we think that the Lord is slow to respond to our prayers when our prayers have already been answered— but the devil blocks our packages. How often have we given up hope, thinking that the Lord did not care or did not want to help us?

f)

The Devil Testing Your Character

Do you ever wonder why God’s people suffer? Some believe that God has cursed them. Let’s have a look at Job’s case.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the 80

morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three 81

bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 1:1–22, KJV

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is 82

in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Job 2:1–10, KJV

Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1 Peter 5:8–9, KJV

Job was perfect and upright. He feared God and avoided evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. If his sons had a birthday he would offer a sacrifice for each of them in case they had sinned against God in their minds. The Lord God was happy with him. In fact he boasted about his loyalty.

The devil accused Job of having been loyal only because of the protection and prosperity that God had given him. God allowed the devil to test Job. Brethren, the devil is a destroyer.

He is jealous of us. It took him one day to destroy everything Job had; he even killed his children, but Job’s faith was not shaken.

Job stood up, tore his mantle, shaved his head, and fell to the 83

ground to worship. He said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Job didn’t sin or accuse God foolishly in any of this. Yet once again, the devil tested Job giving him boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Job still believed in God and focussed on the resurrection: Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Job 19:23–27, KJV

The devil was disappointed because Job loved God regardless of his own worth (money), riches, health or sickness. He even rebuked his wife for trying to advise him to disregard God. God doubled Job’s worth and his children (see Job 42:12–17).

The principle of faith here is that we sometimes think that God has forgotten about us but he is actually proud of us. The devil accuses us of worshipping God only because we are healthy 84

and prosperous but when our character is tested the devil is proved wrong. Don’t worry, God is in control. Remember that it is your character that you take into the afterlife; not money or riches. The devil was given his chance when he rebelled against God and did not want to repent so he wants everyone to be like him. Let us resist him and focus on our eternal father—the author and finisher of our faith—through faith.

The devil is the one who is doomed; he wants to twist your arm using status, health, and happiness so that you will disregard God, but the Lord forbid.

Satan has always revealed truth mixed with error. His error was that he thought Job was worshipping God for possessions and protection, but he was proved wrong.

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? How hast blessed the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land.”

Job 1:9–10, KJV

What exactly is Satan saying? His task is to destroy God’s children in the blink of an eye. In fact, he and his demons enjoy their mission to destroy people and cause them pain. If it wasn’t for God who puts a hedge around us, we would be destroyed.

So my brothers and sisters, if everything is calm and peaceful, it’s because God’s protection is still in place. You have to drive to work and back—thank God for his protection. You are still employed and they want you at work tomorrow—thank God 85

for his protection. Your children have come back from school and nothing has happened to them—thank God for his protection. You are still counting all your children. You have grandchildren and great grandchildren—thank God for his protection. Your children are still alright. They haven’t been taken away—thank God for his protection. Others have buried all their children but you still have all of yours—thank God for his protection. You woke up and you still have a roof over your head, robbers did not steal from you—thank God for his protection. The Lord has protected you. The devil is just roaring like a lion seeking to devour you but the Lord has forbidden it.

When the devil asks to deal with you, to destroy you, God gives him parameters. In Job’s case he told the devil, ‘You can take away all his worth but do not kill him’. The second time the devil approached, God said, ‘You can inflict pain on his body but do not kill him’. Brethren if God did not set these parameters the devil would finish us instantly. The devil and his demons are at work around the clock, pleading with God for a chance to destroy us. We have made it this far because the Lord has protected us And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:31–32, KJV

The saviour actually tells Peter that the devil wants to test 86

him, and that he has prayed for Peter’s faith to remain strong.

Testing can actually make us lose faith in the Lord. The Lord says to Peter, ‘When thou art converted’—meaning that the devil’s intention is to make Peter lose his focus and his faith.

While Jesus was praying in Gethsemane, Peter had a knife with him, and he used it to sever the ear of the Roman soldier.

If the Lord had not restored that ear, I wonder if it would have been used as evidence of the fact that the disciples had wanted to start a physical fight with the Romans, and given unnecessary strength to the accuser’s case. Second, Peter denied that he was with Jesus three times. Praise be to God he had prayed that Peter’s faith would remain strong.

We are tested from every side. The devil asks to be able to test our character. It is God who protects us. So if you find yourself in a situation like Job’s, know and understand that in the spiritual sense it is war. The accuser of the brethren is asking to test us. We cannot ask God why he allows the devil to test us. We need to understand that God is actually saying to the devil—have you seen my beloved who is upright, and the devil accuses us of having worshipped God for his protection.

In Acts 12 we see a Peter who had mastered total dependence on the Lord. He was imprisoned by Herod, guarded by four teams of soldiers and bound in chains. What did Peter do?

He fell asleep amid adversity. He was actually woken by an angel of the Lord. The chains fell off his hands and the prison gates were opened. He was freed by the hand of the creator 87

of the universe.

When storms gather, be at peace. God is in control, even if things don’t make sense. God is still God and he sits on the throne. A lot of people will tell you that your suffering will end if you go to their church. Churches even print pamphlets with the headline, ‘Stop Suffering’. This is not what the Bible says. Jesus himself said: 33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. When he was on the way to the cross, he asked, “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” Luke 23:31. Pilate and Herod found no fault in him but still the Jews wanted him crucified and made up accusations. The Jews even chose a notorious criminal that had terrorised them to be saved over him.

Even though you are a devoted Christian, you could still be injured in a car accident. You could even be a bishop in a church… the tithes can still be stolen. People can be killed right in the middle of a prayer session. If the devil has been given the chance, he is capable of doing anything. Belonging to a certain church or being associated with a certain man of God doesn’t protect us. God himself protects us.

Likewise, experiencing trouble and strife is not a sign that we are not Christian. If the devil is allowed to test our character he will. Praise be to God that the devil will only have limited capacity.

The prayer is, ‘Lord, when I am being tested let my faith be strong’.

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g)

The Quest for the Unknown That Will Trouble Us in Future-Hezekiah IN those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day?

And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down 89

in the dial of Ahaz. At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 20, KJV

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Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the Lord said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them. But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel. And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying, Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I am 91

bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day. Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord. And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.

2 Kings 21:1–23, KJV

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And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.

2 Kings 18:3–6, KJV

Hezekiah was extremely ill and God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell him to put his house in order because he was not going to live.

Hezekiah was upright: a case in point on how he operated can be found in 2 Kings 19:8–37. Sennacherib wrote a letter in which he provoked and undermined Judah and even the God they worshipped.

Hezekiah took the letter to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. As a result, 180 000 Assyrians where killed by the angel of the Lord. On his death bed Hezekiah cried out to the Lord asking him to remember his work. The Lord sent Isaiah to tell him that he had heard his prayer and added fifteen years to his life. This is the power of prayer. But wait a moment… wasn’t God right to let Hezekiah pass away without the extra fifteen years in the first place?

God sees the beginning from the end.

At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, 93

the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have they seen in thine house?

And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken.

And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?

2 Kings 20:12–19, KJV

Shouldn’t Hezekiah have told his Babylonian visitors how powerful God is who healed him and added more years to his life? More importantly, shouldn’t the Babylonians have found him on his death bed or had to attend his funeral?

By the very act of showing his wealth, Hezekiah paved a way for the captivity of the Israelites into Babylon. This would not have happened if he had passed away. God had not wanted him to make this mistake, which is why he had been planning to let him pass away 94

before he made it.

Something else to note is that Hezekiah did not want to die because he didn’t have an heir: And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.

And his mother’s name was Hephzibah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the Lord said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them. But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the 95

nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel.

2 Kings 2:20–21; 2 Kings 21:1–9, KJV

Manasseh was born during Hezekiah’s extended lifetime. God had wanted Hezekiah to die before Manasseh was born, but Hezekiah changed God’s intention. Manasseh destroyed everything that Hezekiah had worked for as a leader. The son Hezekiah had cried for built up the heathen altars that he had destroyed. He worshipped foreign Gods and even sacrificed his own children. Judah came under the influence of a bad king for 55 years. God knew that this would happen and had wanted to avoid it. When Manasseh died his son Amon came to the throne: And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord. And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.

2 Kings 21:20–23, KJV

If Hezekiah had agreed to sleep (die) in time, three things would have been avoided: He would not have shown Judah’s reserves of wealth to the Babylonians who later took everything for themselves and enslaved the people in Babylon.

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Manasseh would not have been born, made Judah go back to worshipping foreign Gods, or sacrificed his own sons. He even outperformed the foreign nation he had copied in his worship of foreign gods. Judah worshipped strange gods for fifty-five years.

Amon would never have been born.

Yes, sometimes it seems as though God is not making sense.

He withholds the things we want and we get angry with him because we don’t understand him.

You who are crying for that latest Mercedes—it is your dream car but he does not want to give it. You ask why and point out that they have four next door. God can see that you will be killed in an accident with that car because speed thrills you and common sense fails you.

You who are angry because you can’t get the man you want even though you have prayed that he would see you and marry you: Oh he has lovely eyes and money, and he seems secure, but the Lord does not allow it to happen. Why? Because all that glitters is not gold. The Lord is protecting you from trouble. Do you know how the man you want made his money?

You who have been crying for a child for many years. God has told you to wait. The Master has his reasons. Do not worry, he will talk it over with you in the bye and bye. He will explain his reasons to you.

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We will be surprised in heaven; a lot of things will be revealed about how we were protected from the evil one, his traps, and his snares. If we all had spiritual eyes we would run away from certain engagements, work assignments, and friends.

What happens in the spiritual world is shocking. The devil wants us destroyed and praise be to God for protecting us.

Stay focussed on Christ through faith. He is in control.

h)

When the Problem is for the Glory of God

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that 98

I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, 99

followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

John 11:1–45, KJV

Lazarus was Jesus’ friend. We can see this from the words 100

‘Lord behold he whom thou lovest is sick’. When Jesus was tired and wanted to rest he would usually rest at his friend and sister’s house, now this beloved friend was sick. What did he do, he stayed in the same place for two days, and then after that, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go into Judaea again’. Avoiding a sick friend, he chose to go to Judea where the Jews of late sought to stone him. He only went to Lazarus’ funeral—yes it does not make sense but wait a minute. In John 11:4 the Master gives a hint of what is going on: ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the son of God might be glorified thereby’. Verses 14 and 15 give further insight: ‘Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe nevertheless let us go unto him!’ Martha points something else out in verse 21: ‘Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died’. Now if Jesus had gone to Bethany when Lazarus was sick Lazarus would not have died. The devil would not have had the chance to do his best.

That is why the maker of human kind gave him the chance, but the show down was not about healing Lazarus—it was about out-doing the devil’s worst.

Brethren so many times we wonder why God permits us to go through a very difficult time. Conditions may be very hard but this is all for the glory of God. He let the situation deteriorate to a point where, when he gives us victory, none will ever doubt that the Lord’s hand was at work. God wants us to overcome in style; to redeem us beyond anyone’s doubt.

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Don’t despair; when your victory comes, it will make a statement that your God is almighty. He is worthy of praise. He is the only God. All power rests with him. He is the Alpha and Omega. If he opens who can close? Stand firm in his presence through faith.

i)

Maybe You Have Done Your Part and It’s Time for You to Rest in Heaven And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 102

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Luke 1:26–45, KJV

The difference in age between John the Baptist and Jesus was six months. Both were miracle babies. John was born to and old and barren couple. His father was made temporarily dumb after an angel had told him that John would be born. Jesus was born to a virgin, and an angel announced his birth. The two were related through their mothers. They even greeted each other from their respective wombs. Their births and ministries were foretold prophecy.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not 103

worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:11–17, KJV

When John saw Jesus he didn’t want to baptise him. He wanted it to be the other way round; he wanted to be baptised

by Jesus. Jesus said, ‘Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness’ John referred to Jesus as the lamb of God that cleans the world of sin. John’s mission was to pave way for Jesus’ ministry. John confirmed this by saying, ‘He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose’.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look 104

for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:1–11 also found in Luke 7:19–28, KJV

When John was arrested by Herod, Jesus did not even visit him in prison. John knowing Jesus, being his relative, and having the same mission as he did, was confused and decided to send his disciples to Jesus with the message, ‘Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?’

Perhaps, John really meant, ‘If you are who I know you are, what am I still doing in prison? Am I not supposed to be with you in ministry and if I am the forerunner why, are you allowing them to treat me like this?’

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Jesus told them ‘Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.’ He also included a special message: ‘Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.’ What a response! When John’s disciples had left, Jesus spoke to the multitudes concerning John: ‘What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’

Matthew 11:8–11

John was killed the next night when Herod told his daughter she could ask for anything she wanted and her mother told her to ask for John’s head on a plate (see Matthew 14:3-13).

Jesus allowed John to die because he had completed his mission on earth. When Jesus died, there was a great earthquake.

The veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the bodies of a great many saints rose from their graves and went into the holy city. Jesus had said that John was the greatest, therefore he would have been among the risen on the Sunday when Jesus rose.

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Maybe the Master has seen that your mission on earth is done.

If you have proven that you are worthy of heaven he will let you pass and then come to take you to heaven when he comes again.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are sleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall arise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I Thessalonians 4:13–18, KJV

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Chapter 4

Benefits and Rewards of Faith (The Power of Prayer) j

a)

Double Benefit Promise Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Luke 18:28–30, KJV

P

eter, a professional fisherman who gave up his job and left his family to be with the Lord, poses the question, ‘What are the rewards of Faith?’

The Lord’s answer is wonderful and encouraging and shows 108

he cares: ‘There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting’.

b)

Strange Solutions to Day-to-Day Problems

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And

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they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

2 Chronicles 17:2–12, KJV

Indeed, Jehoshaphat had strange policies. Imagine a president, say Jacob Zuma, sent his ministers to teach the law of the Lord in all the provinces!

‘Leave your offices ladies and gentleman. Go and teach the people the law of the Lord.’

We would have no minister of finance—Pravin Gordhan would be in the Eastern Cape, preaching. The policy man, Trevor Manuel, would be in Cape Town preaching, the minister of defence Lindiwe Sisulu would be in KZN preaching. All of them reading from the book of the law. You would get to a road block and the minister of transport would start teaching you about God’s law instead of asking for your driver’s license—thou shall not steal, love your God, love your neighbour, honour your father and mother, no adultery.

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What a picture! But this is exactly what Jehoshaphat did in his third year in office. The Lord was not silent; he saw, he heard, and he acted: ‘And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.’

The Lord decided to be the minister of finance in Judah because the minister was busy doing God’s work. He also became minister of defence; no nation wanted to start a war with Jehoshaphat.

Follow Jehoshaphat’s principle: Take God’s work to be your work and God will take your work to be his. Yes I know you are worried about financial issues and the family business.

Do God’s work and the Lord will do yours. If you are worried about that exam the secret is to do God’s work and you will see.

c)

Unique Battle Strategies IT came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; 111

and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi.

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; And he 112

said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing an and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came 113

toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

2 Chronicles 20:1-30, KJV

It came to pass that the children of Moab, Ammon, and others came against Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was terrified. He begged the Lord for guidance and told everyone in Judah to start fasting.

Jehoshaphat himself led a prayer session in which he asked the Lord to fight the battle for his people. The spirit of the Lord descended upon Jahaziel and said, ‘Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, ‌ Be 114

not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s….Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you’.

Jehoshaphat appointed singers unto the Lord, ‘ and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever’.

They went to war with a choir. In fact, it was the choir that led the people. Judah sang and the Lord took care of the battle.

If you are threatened by evil, relax. God is still in control. If you are worried about finances, education, bills, or rent, take it to the Lord in prayer.

d)

Fighting the Lord’s Cause

And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because 115

the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

Exodus 1:15–21

Shiphrah and Puah did not follow a meaningless, cruel, and murderous command. How often do we do something wrong because we are afraid of the powers that be forgetting that, there is an even greater power—the master of the universe king of kings, Lord of Lords. Because they did the good thing by following God’s law, God gave them families. Also, midwives were usually older women who had passed giving birth themselves so it is likely that these women didn’t have families of their own in their old age. God gave them husbands and children because they had done right. If you want to get married and have children, follow their example. Do the work of the Lord and he will bless you. Take care of children, even if they are not yours, and he will give you your own.

e)

Trips to Remember 1 NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the 116

judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, 117

nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, 118

Meshach, and Abed-nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

Daniel 3:1–29, KJV

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In reference to the interpretation of his dream in Chapter 2— that he was not going to live forever— Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden image in the plain of Dura and ordered everyone to worship it. The Hebrews Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not obey Nebuchadnezzar and told him in no uncertain terms that they would not worship the image. The king was so angry that he ordered the furnace to be made seven times hotter than usual and then threw the three of them into the fire. The fire was so hot that it killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in but none of the three was burnt—not even a hair. The ropes with which they had been tied melted in the fire and the Lord himself visited them. They walked around in the fire, talking. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and asked for them to be bought out leaving the fourth and promoted them.

The three Hebrew friends stood for God and he fought for them in the fire. If you stand for God remember he is still waiting for you. The Babylonian king did not call him out. What an outing!

f)

Trips to Remember 2 IT pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; 120

and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not 121

thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his Lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had 122

accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 6:1-28, KJV

Being jealous because Daniel had been made second in command, the other presidents made up an occasion to trap him.

They could not find fault with him so they made Darius sign a decree stating that anyone worshipping any God other than Darius would be thrown to the Lions. They new very well that Daniel would disregard this law and worship God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. As they had predicted, Daniel opened his windows and faced Jerusalem to pray to God three times a day. He was thrown into the lion’s den. When Darius realised that he had been tricked to eliminate Daniel, he rushed to the lions’ den shouting, ‘Daniel did the God you worship redeem you from the lions’ den?’ and Daniel told him that God had sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions.

Darius commanded that Daniel be removed from the den and the ones who had plotted against him and their families 123

where brought to justice by the hungry lions. Let them plan evil against you. God is in control. He protects us and gives us sweet victory.

g)

Excellent Service Head Office Promotion And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Genesis 5:22-24, KJV

Enoch lived for 365 years. In all these years his record spoke volumes and the Lord decided that he would not see death.

He took him to heaven without death.

Imagine your boss in the world saying to you, ‘You have performed so well in this branch that management have decided to promote you. Effective from today you will be working at head office’. God is watching over us and he will come and take us to heaven. There is no more pain or sorrow for those who have passed.

AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 124

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelation 21:1-6, KJV

If we do remember, he will still come and take us to heaven if we see him by faith.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Jude 9

The devil reminded God that Moses was a sinner. He struck the stone twice but the Lord disputed this because Moses had repented. He took him up in Glory. We see the two (Moses and Elijah) on the mount of transfiguration say to us, ‘As long as we repent, follow God’s laws, and abide in him through faith, we will make it.’ Elijah was also taken to heaven without having to die.

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9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more.

Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

2 Kings 2:9-12.

If we do as the Lord commanded, he promised to come and take us to heaven. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

h)

Outstanding Achievements Awards

1)

The Longest Day Award NOW it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; 126

as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. Wherefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and 127

they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel. And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand. And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the 128

king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.

Joshua 10:1-27

Joshua asked for the sun and moon to stand still, hence the longest day ever recorded in history. God answers prayers.

He will do it for you.

2)

Sun Reverse Motion Award In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and 129

with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:1-8, KJV

7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he hath spoken;8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

Hezekiah asked for the sun to turn 10 Degrees back and the sun went into reverse motion. Not only did he get extra time in added years – 15 more years, he also asked for a sign to be sure he would get the extra years. It is Job who says: “5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass” Job 14:5. So how was he Hezekiah going to have an overdraft of years and reverse the time. What demarcates time? The sun by rising and setting is what determines time and days thus become more. So as a sign of being granted overtime or an overdraft of years, he asked for the sun to go backwards. Prayer is powerful and can change time.

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3)

Rain Controller Award Now Elijah the Tishbite was a prophet from the settlers in Gilead. “I serve the Lord, the God of Israel,” Elijah said to Ahab. “As surely as the Lord lives, no rain or dew will fall during the next few years unless I command it.”

1 Kings 17:1

15 And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay 131

it on wood, and put no fire under:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me.

And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, 132

and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time.

And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing.

And he said, Go again seven times.44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.45 And it came to pass in the mean 133

while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:15-46

Elijah prayed and the rain stopped for three years. He prayed again and challenged the Baal gods to pray to their gods to bring fire and burn their offering. When they failed, he prayed to God for fire from heaven. Fire came and consumed his offering and He prayed again for rain, and it poured and the drought ended. James says: 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

James 5:17-18

The power of prayer is amazing. Alone on Mount Carmel, faced with all the prophets of Baal (four hundred and fifty of them), it looked as if they were in the majority. They were also being supported by the King and his wife. But the man of God was in the majority. He mocked them. For hours they cried for fire to no avail. Do not worry that they are in the majority as with God on our side, we are in the majority. What a special award to control the rain. It will not rain for three years; it will only rain until I say let it rain.

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4)

Lifetime Award And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

2 Kings 13:20-21, KJV

The Lord was with Elisha and anointed him so that even in death his corpse was holy.

5)

My Friend Title Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. Genesis 17:5—8, KJV

We are all children of Abram by faith. As children let us talk to the father with confidence. He will hear us. James says: “13 Is 135

any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:13-16

6)

My Son Title And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:47-48, KJV

Jesus Christ was called the son of David. When the kings of old did right, God said they were doing as well as David, their father. This is the same David in his youth who was angered by Goliath speaking evil to the Most High. He prayed and God gave him wisdom to use what he had – the sling and a stone. The might of Goliath was then history. King Saul became jealous of and wanted to kill David after he had done the nation proud by defeating the enemy. He never enjoyed his youth. He had to run away from home and his land, being hunted by the king. But the Lord kept him. In Psalms he says:

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“(A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever”.

Psalms 23:1-6

Even in the midst of trouble, we will be protected by our Lord and Saviour. David had double trouble: the King (Saul) who was after him was actually also his father-in-law and had 3000 trained soldiers to hunt for a hero who had killed the enemy, but who also happened to be his son-in-law.

Twice did God put Saul in the hand of David, but David refused to kill Saul.

First encounter Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, “Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went

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in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.) 4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.

6 And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”

7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.8 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down. 9 And David said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm’? 10 Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. 12 Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’

But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the 138

king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog?

A flea? 15 Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.”16 So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 Then he said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. 18 And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s house.”22 So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Second time Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came 139

after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.5 So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp, with the people encamped all around him. 6 Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 10 David said furthermore, “As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.13 Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them. 14 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?”Then Abner 140

answered and said, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”15 So David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head.”17 Then Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is that your voice, my son David?”David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18 And he said, “Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand? 19 Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering.

But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.”22 And David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23 May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him 141

deliver me out of all tribulation.”25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.”So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

1 Samuel 26:1-25

Even if Saul was hunting David like a common criminal, David refused to touch the anointed of the Lord. He would only show that he was able to destroy Saul and had the chance but still twice he spared his life. What do you do to your perceived enemies even your own relative and kin? Do you waste them? Do you not rejoice over their errors? God says, ‘David was a man after my own heart because he dare not touch God’s anointed’. We know David was a general but he lifted not his sword against God’s anointed. Be careful not to invite God’s anger into your life by touching his anointed.

In old age when he became king he committed adultery with Uriah’s wife and killed Uriah by the hand of Joab. God was angry with him and sent the prophet to tell him. He cried to God for his sins and repented. In Psalms he says: A Prayer of Repentance To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.51 “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.3 For I acknowledge my 142

transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak,[a] And blameless when You judge.5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me

by Your generous Spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.”

Psalms 51:1-18

Even when he had sinned David repented from his sin. He did not remain in sin. But he did always seek the Lord’s face. David was a friend of God because he repented and always strived to walk in God’s ways.

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7)

Endless Meal Award Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

1 Kings 17:9-16, KJV

Are you worried that you might be having your last meal, or spending your last money? If you don’t want to give to others in need, you might be blocking your own blessing.

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8)

Amazing Debt Payment Award—Unending Oil From the Pot

NOW there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

2 Kings 4:2-7, KJV

Are you so deep in debt that you don’t know what to do? The Master cares for us. He will make a way for us even if we are in debt. He cares for us. He knows what work we do and where we stay. Do not worry he will bless even the labour of our hands.

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Chapter 5

Conclusion j

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.11 ¶ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.13 ¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.14 For the merchandise of it is better than the 146

merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.21 ¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.30 ¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.31 ¶ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.33 ¶ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Proverbs 3:5-35

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The bus was travelling from a remote rural town to the capital.

The bus was full of farmers who among other crops, specialised in cotton. It was after harvest season and the majority of them had been paid after selling their cotton. Everyone’s mind was on what they were going to buy like some farming implements to aid in the next season, some clothes, some furniture, some food and the likes. Morale was very high. Suddenly, in the opposite direction a haulage truck on a curve encroached on the lane of the bus. To avoid a head-on collision, the bus driver veered off the road. Unfortunately there was a bit of a slope off the road and the bus gained momentum on the slope.

All their lives were in danger. There was panic, and while the bus was on the rough path and uneven, bumpy terrain, people got injured. Heads or elbows bumped into one another or were knocked on the bus’s overhead compartment.

In the midst of all this confusion and turmoil, a man who was sitting in the front passenger seat behind the driver was heard shouting: “THAT’S RIGHT, THAT’S RIGHT, THAT’S RIGHT!” This even angered the rest of the passengers more.

Others were crying that death was at hand yet someone seemed to be enjoying the goings on.

Eventually, the bus reduced speed and began travelling slowly and then hit a big stone and stopped. But the impact was not hard because it was travelling very slowly by then.

When everyone was out of the bus and breathing a sigh of relief, some women approached the man who had been shouting “THAT’S RIGHT”. Some were saying either he was drunk, 148

others were saying maybe he was a mental patient, while a few wanted to deal with him physically, for how could he seem to be celebrating in the midst of trouble. They discovered he was neither drunk nor a mental patient, but that he was happy that the driver was doing the correct thing. He explained that he was a chief traffic inspector who specialised in teaching drivers procedures for defensive driving. He went on and said that the dangerous kilometre is the one ahead of you. He explained that under emergency circumstances like the one they were in, the driver is supposed to leave the brake pedal completely. If the driver tries to apply brakes, the bus or vehicle will roll over. The only way to reduce speed is to change down, thus using the gears to reduce speed. As you change down the bus’s momentum is reduced. The driver’s hands must remain on the steering wheel and eyes focussed on the road, looking for opportunities to help the bus stop.

In their case, it was the stone that was their opportunity to help the bus to stop. So as the driver was doing everything according to the book, the man got excited and cheered him on shouting: “THAT’S RIGHT, THAT’S RIGHT”.

So as we journey in our daily lives, emergency situations arise that require defensive driving techniques. Knowing very well that the dangerous kilometre is the one ahead of us, in emergencies, never apply brakes (continue being faithful to God). Applying brakes will mean losing your faith. Keeping your hands firmly on the steering wheel and eyes focused on the road ahead looking for opportunities to help stop the bus, means having total dependency on God. And importantly, 149

changing down to reduce the momentum of the bus, means more prayer and more fasting.

Now “24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.�

Numbers 6:24-26

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