A NEW AND LIVING NIGERIA (1)

Nigeria! – the nation with the sorry state at which many turn up their noses; a laughing stock she has become to many, while some others cringe in morbid fear of her. Nigeria! – the country so much despised by its own citizens that they thoughtlessly abandon it at the slightest opportunity they get. Nigeria! - the nation that many have thought irreparable, even those who are meant to stand strong for her in intercession, weakened by despair and wearied by much waiting for her redemption to come.

But is Nigeria truly irredeemable? Does God even care about her? Has He forsaken her? Is He aware of how sick she has been, even nigh unto death, just like Lazarus was? Like Mary and Martha, we have called upon the Lord and lamented unto Him about the ailing position of our country. “Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick” (John 11:3). We have sought His face, saying, ‘Lord, the nation whom Thou lovest is sick’.

“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus” (John 11:5). We have all wondered if the Lord has an inkling of love, if perhaps there was a little compassion in his heart, for our nation at all. We see the prosperity of other nations and superficially judge that God loves them more than our nation. We think of Nigeria as a cursed thing - an abominable entity, hence why the Lord has turned away His face from her. But the Lord loves this nation dearly just as He loved Lazarus and his sisters. But we should give preference to those we love, shouldn’t we? Then, why didn’t the Lord dash down to heal Lazarus when He heard the news of his sickness? Why has He left Nigeria in her bed of sickness, watching her gasp for breath, trying to rescue herself from the claws of death?

We besought Him to come quickly so that He might stop her from going into oblivion – from slipping into the land of forgetfulness. Alas, it seemed as if the Lord delayed, just as He did to Lazarus. Yes, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4). But His words would have been a source of comfort if He had not ‘abided two more days, still in the same place where He was.’ He prophesied that Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death, yet Lazarus died. 

Prophecies should be for encouragement, edification and comfort, and a lot of them have gone forth over our nation, Nigeria. But we have only seen Nigeria’s situation worsen over time. If many of us were allowed, we would have changed everything in one day. But could we ponder a little on this phrase – 'Jesus abode still'? We believe concerning Nigeria and its pressing situation that Jesus would have us to abide still. Our anxiety, doubts and fears would not produce any result; they can even cause a foul in the realm of the spirit against us.  

The response of Jesus to Lazarus’ situation seemed irrational, naturally speaking. But if Jesus had not abode still, He would have hindered the glory of God. He really loved His friends and would have wanted to show up immediately but His Father would have Him abide still for two more days. Can we abide still with the Lord? Can we allow His peace keep our hearts and minds at this time, even with all the pressure and confusion? (Philip 4:6-7). Can we be, for once, interested in the everlasting glory that He wants to reveal through our plight? 

Nigeria seems dead, for she has been forgotten. Hope has been lost over her – the idea of her becoming something worth considering has been obliterated from the minds of many. But guess what? The Lord is glad. “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” (John 11:15). We must pay attention to what made Jesus glad. The situation of Nigeria passed from sickness to death to the intent that we may believe! Jesus is glad of the present situation because it will make many believe. If there is anything that must happen to us in this season, it is that many will come to the Lord, and believers will become more believing believers, because of Nigeria. 

When Martha heard Jesus had come, she ran out to meet Him and said unto Him, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” (John 11:21). This is the position of many at this time. We want Jesus to jump right into the situation of Nigeria to salvage it before it becomes totally hopeless. We would rather that she did not die. But the will of God, as undesirable to our flesh as it seems, is that she dies and stinks. According to Pa Elton’s prophecy, Nigeria’s name would stink of corruption and that is when the Lord wants to show up. But will He show up?

(Heb 10:37) The Lord will surely show up. He that will come will come, and will not tarry. According to God’s program for Nigeria, He is not late. According to His will, the old Nigeria ought to be dead and gone for the new to arise. The promise of a new Nigeria is not a fallacy nor an error of thoughts: it is the agenda of God. Hallelujah!

Blessings!

For: EGFM Editorial