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| Faruok |
Farouk, as Biblical Samson
Just like our leaders wait until many young people take to robbery and other crimes, the people of Judah tried to arrest the irresponsible actions of Samson when it was too late. And they said unto him, we are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hands of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. Judges 15:12. In the same vein, Farouk had an unpleasant record before he attempted bombing an airliner but no one seemed to care. His name is said to be among the over 550,000 terrorist suspects. And this had made his father to report him to the U.S embassy two months or so before the incident.
But injuries from the battles with Philistines, betrayal from his people and many marital heartbreak from his so called sweethearts did not make Samson retrace his steps back to God. The evil plan planted in Abdulfarouk’s mind while he was outside the shores of Nigeria manifested last December in his attempt to bomb a plane with over 300 people on board in Detroit, Michigan.
Abdulfarouk wanted to end his life in the aircraft like Samson did in the land of Philistine. Like Samson who had strong survival instinct until later in life, Abdulfarouk’s action is also strange to African culture and probably the result of intense brain washing in the Middle East that
his action would give him automatic ticket to heaven.
And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. Jg 16:26
Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women that beheld while Samson made sport. Jg 16:27
And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. Jg 16:28
And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead whom he slew at his death were more than they, which he slew in his life. Judges 16:29,30
What could have made a young man to want to bomb himself and some innocent souls than inherent wickedness of man’s heart. If you must why not alone? The Bible says that the heart of man is desperately wicked and the heart is scheming evil everyday. (Jeremiah 17: 9 Genesis 6:5).And when a soul has been sold to the devil, it does not have a place for logical reasoning or even mercy or life.I want to pause and pray: My soul shall not be sold to the devil in Jesus name.
And take heed!A religious man wiithout personal encounter and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is a doomed to hell. And a man with great call and anointing without corresponding godly displine and character is a disaster looking for somewhere to happen.
I believe the Lord wants us to learn His mercy to forgive; give every man or woman a second chance so as to defeat the devil. Whatever the judgement of the world, the Lord God does not forsake the likes of Farouk if they still repent. His ever listening ears is still open to the repentant cries of every sinner.
I’m sure if Samson did not only pray for the resoration of his power, but humbly asked for the healing of his eyes and delivererance from the prision of the Philistines, the Lord would have granted his request. That goes a long way to tell you that there is hope for you in whatever situation.Remember that Samson asked for only restoration of power to perish with the enemy and he got it. I don’t want you to limit God’s mercies in your life in 2010. Remember that most times, you are entitled to the level of your request and faith. Surrender your life to Jesus then gird your loins to pursue, overcome and recover all your possessions from the camp of the enemy. Shalom.
•Readers reactions are welcome.
Prophet Samuel’s valedictory speech, a challenge to leaders
As Prophet Samuel was about to handover the leadership of Israel he made a powerful speech and took some actions that are quite challenging to leaders.
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| Pastor Adeboye |
I Samuel 12 Verse 1 “And Samuel said unto all Israel, behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.”
Which of our leaders can boldly say that he has allowed the will of God to prevail when the onus falls on him to choose another leader to succeed him? With what is happening in the political realm and in churches, many would not use the privilege to their advantage and back up their choice even when it was contrary to God’s and people’s choice.
2. “And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and gray headed; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
Like Prophet Samuel, how many of our leaders can check their conscience and claim that they have walked before God and know when to throw-in the towel? What we see in the Church and political realm is wickedness and lust for power when they know that it is obvious that they have their terms as stated in the constitution.
3. Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or who have I defrauded? Who have I oppressed? Or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? And I will restore it you.
This is a great challenge to our past and present leaders in different organizations and government. Unlike Samuel who was able to look at the people straight in the face and say I have walked righteously how many of them can do so with the level of corruption and personal enrichment even in our religious organizations and government at the expense of the poor. Many of our public officers cannot boldly give account of their stewardship and be ready to restitute like Samuel. What you see today is that when it is obvious that many have soiled their hands, they still have the guts to rush to the court to stop their prosecution.
4. “And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
And while many still want to appear innocent like Samuel , can we really testify to their innocence?
5. “And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.
Samuel was even confident that he served the people with all fairness, he even used God and His anointing as witnesses.
6. “And Samuel said unto the people, it is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
7. “Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which He did to you and to your fathers.
8. “When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.
…. Ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
13. “Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
Samuel was a leader who had the fear of the nation, Israel he led at heart. He was able to trace the history of the nation and analyze their problems and profess the way out unlike many Nigerians leaders who are unconcerned with the plight of the nation.
14. “If ye will fear the LORD, and serve Him, and obey His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God?
15. “But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
Samuel was able to admonish the people on the need to fear God and obey His voice simply because he too demonstrated it even during his leadership in Israel.
16. “Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
17. “Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
18. “So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rains that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
This is a great challenge especially to our religious leaders. How many will be able to be steadfast and honest before God so that heaven would confirm their words with instant signs and wonders? How many?
19. “And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.
The people of Israel trembled, confessed and were ready to repent of their sins simply because people saw and witnessed the power of God in the leadership of Samuel. He was not a bad influence on the people to cover-up and continue in iniquity. And he was able to assure them of the mercy of God to give hope to the hopeless
20. “And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
21. “And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
22. “For the LORD will not forsake His people for His great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you His people.
23. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.
24. “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.
25. “But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.”
Samuel was also a bold leader who knew that righteousness exalts a nation while sin is a reproach. We need such leaders in our nation and different organizations today.
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