The LOVE of God to mankind has endured and pre-dates human existence. The creation of basic useful things that support human existence have been put in place by God. The air, sun, water and animals among others were all created by God before mankind. The inception of mankind on this planet is a function of God’s love. God Almighty is the CONTROLLER GENERAL and OWNER of the UNIVERSE (Psalm24). God encompassingly controls the world. God is compassionate, loving and rich in mercy (Exodus 34:6). Human wickedness from ages has been rampant and this has caused total destruction of mankind leaving only Noah and his household as the survival. Moses, a staunch intercessor in the history of mankind pleaded with God to relent not to destroy the people of Israelites on Mount Sinai; this was an offshoot of Israelites forgetfulness on the good deeds of God. Amidst the inordinate relationship between God and Israelites, God continued His unflinching love for them in several ways. At a particular time God warned His people, Israelites to change their ways and embrace love to fellow Israelites, but Israelites would not listen. Consequently, they were banished to exile where they suffered for good number of years.
The inability or nonchalant attitude of mankind in keeping God’s commandments has ensued lots of unpalatable occurrences among the people. For instance: God sents snakes to bite His people, subsequently, God indeed in this scenario, saved His people when they cried to Him for help; God sents epidemics among Israelites killing about 23,000 until Phinehas intervened and God instantly stopped the epidemic; God asked David to choose from 3-option, but David rather prefer to die in the hand of God, people died on this account, consequently, God had mercy on His people and David offered sacrifice to honour God. These few instances highlighted, are where God was angry with His people, God’s mercies always flourishes; all these are caused by humans sinfulness.
In the affluence of God’s love to mankind, Jesus Christ came as human but God in character and substance. He suffered primarily because of our sins, thereby putting us right with God through the shedding of His blood, thus given us redemption by His death. Jesus Christ has come and gone, now we are waiting for His second coming. He left, but actively with us by entrusting us to Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Holy Spirit is a typological stimulant in the believers. Holy Spirit controls the believers on doing just the right things and being constantly in fellowship with God. Fellowshipping with God in truth and Spirit is very important. It keeps us in constant communication with Him. Communication with God is very imperative; Abraham and Moses to mention a few have shown us an incredible power of communing with God. Communing with God in this context is termed “PRAYER”, which has been a veritable tool in the hand of believers. God cherish seeing his creatures depending solely and solely on Him for everything. God likes seeing us (Mankind) communicating (Praying) with Him, because He is our beginning and end; the Alpha and Omega, He holds our breath.
The act of communication is very powerful, it holds the world. A system that is devoid of healthy communication, such a system may crash. The power of this 21st Century is technically embedded in communication, information diffusion. The abridgement of communication among families is the beginning of colossal retrogression in such clime. Communication is very sacrosanct to the development of any place. This communication in respect to God is in “Prayer”.
The act of prayer will systematically leads us to true and authentic message of Christ through Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit masterminds the intents of God, thereby accentuating us to worthy and acceptable worship to God. Isaiah 58 has these to say:
● remove the chains of oppression and injustice;
● share your food with the hungry and open your doors to the poor;
● cover the naked; and
● help your relatives, among others.
Sequel to the above injunctions; God then said, if you can ensure or actualize all these:
● my favour will shine like morning Sun;
● Your wound will be quickly healed;
● I will always be with you to save you;
● my presence will be with you every side; and
● I will hear your prayers when you called.
The cursory analysis of the above injunctions and its consequences together with the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Book of Matthew 5, 6 and 7 show that mankind has drifted from the original teaching of Christ. The word of God is meant for mutual building and making the world a better place, thereby preparing us for heaven. If all Christians turned a new leave, I think the world and its people will see our example and consequently, amend their respective ways. Christians has to lead in good work and prayers thereby making the world a better place to live.
The responsibilities and survival of this “Planet Earth” is exponentially on mankind. To every action there must be a reaction vise versa. We must be mindful of our activities in the global scale. The activities of human beings in the planet should not be targeted towards ethnic cleansing either by impoverishment that leads to poverty, harsh judgement, injustice, amassing nuclear weapons and dangerous biomedical inventions. Biomedical inventions for example are good for the common benefits of mankind; but its quite dangerous to mankind when they are being used as weapons for fighting enemy thereby causing havoc to the Planet. Like I said earlier, God is in control of the world till date and forever. He punishes those He loves. A times He uses punishment as corrective measures among His people. He uses Assyria and king Nebuchadnezzar as whip for His children, Israelites. He does not just abandon them in their sufferings; He saves.
The current trending issues on the global scene is “Covid-19”. It has claimed many lives. This might be a way in which God is punishing the whole world due to our increasing sins and forgetfulness of God’s love to mankind. The pandemic as called; has locked people; young, old, learned, illiterate, rich and poor. It does not discriminate. This is a clarion call to mankind to have a rethink, in our homes, government affairs, religious bodies as well the research industries whose activities are solely meant to invent deadly weapons. It is time we intensify on strengthening our relationship with God in communication with Him. Our precious time which is own by God must be devoted to Him to a reasonable extent. Currently, good number of people are at home with unlimited time that is never sufficient before. I don’t have time, I don’t have time, here we are. This pandemic has revealed how weak we are as humans and we depends solely on God’s providence for mercy and healing.
At this time, what mankind needs is not just only prayers but sincere repentance we are all guilty. As Christians, our sole power is prayer. Prayer has worked before and prayer will still do it again. God’s anger does not last forever, with our humble prayers He will heal our nations for His name sake and the sorrowful passion of His Son Jesus Christ. May our prayers and sacrifices be acceptable to God Almighty thereby cleansing our land from current and likely future occurrences. May the soul’s of all the faithfuls departed through the mercy rest in peace. Amen!
Ignatius