Edify to Heal the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Church is the most powerful body on earth, the strongest people on earth who should actually determine how states are run, provide direction, give and state values for governance and business purposes, determine the flow of national resources and ensure equity and justice.

Yet, the Church is tied to the apron strings of states, taking directions from states; allowing States to provide guidance; unfortunately the guidance which the states do not source from God. Assenting to such guidance in the name of political correctness and social acceptance is not what the Church should do. Rather, the Church should sit up to her true responsibilities to edify the people in order to direct their hearts to God to provide direction for States. Please read Matthew Chapters 18 verses 18 to 20; 16 verses 13 to 19 and Isaiah Chapter 59 verse 19.

The Church should also arise from the slumber of being an appendage to States to walk in the light of God, to do everything for the purpose of edification and not competition or stomach infrastructure so that lives are saved, transformed to walk with God and serve God. Please read Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 16, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 10, 1^st Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 1 to 26, note verses 4 to 5, 12, 26 and 1^st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 11.

Daniel and his three friends, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were able to achieve this in Babylon as well as the Persian empires they served in. The leadership of the early Church were also able to achieve this. They did not bull doze their way into the leadership of the nation States. They also did not challenge the authority of the leadership. They were honest, law abiding and God fearing citizens. They simply lived as God would have them live in the nations they served and provided divine direction when called upon to serve.

The Church should also put on the armor of light by living holy unto the Lord and not as the world expects the Church to live. Please read Romans Chapter 13 verse 12.

Provide Leadership to Heal the Nations 4

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Leaders provide leadership giving direction out of miry circumstances. Generally, people gravitate to a sense of meaningful direction and purpose designed to bring about improvements in the quality of lives of the people. When they do not find that sense of direction and purpose, they drift seeking where they can find it.  Maxwell

True organizational growth is a product of conscious and deliberate; alongside consistent self-discovery, personal development and growth. This is because an organization cannot grow beyond the capacity of the people who man and run the organization. If you put a rookie pilot in the best of today’s aircraft, the aircraft can only perform as best as the expertise and experience of the rookie pilot. In like manner, the growth and development of any nation is tied to both the personal development and growth of both the leadership and the people of the country.

A leadership unschooled in self-discovery and personal development and growth is akin to the blind leading the blind and the blind leading the blind may not go far especially on a development and growth route lined with potholes, etc.

When a person lacks the leadership skills to manage an enterprise especially if s/he has no vision of where s/he is headed and therefore cannot find the mission, objectives, activities alongside timelines as well as other resources to grow and sustain the enterprise, then the enterprise is doomed to fail not because God designed it to fail but because the leader has refused to connect with God to get directives on how to pilot the enterprise to success.

An incorrigible temperamental person who lacks discipline, is spiteful, unteachable and lies and is also vengeful has no business in leadership. S/he has no rule over his own spirit and therefore should not rule over other people. Proverbs Chapter 14 verse 29.

Provide Leadership to Heal the Nations 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Nehemiah’s Success Strategies

A great fervent and loving relationship with God, he always turned to God first for counsel. Direction and help before asking for human help and support.

Nehemiah was a man of prayer – he prayed rather than argue, quarrel or fight. In essence, he handed his challenges to God and God always took care of the challenges.

He did not go it alone. He partnered and worked with other people – collaboration and networking - Nehemiah Chapter 4 verses 4 to10.

He put God interest and national interest ahead of personal and family interest. God honored him.

He consistently encouraged his partners and fellow workers on the wall. That stirred up their morale and determination to work despite the fierce opposition, ridicule and mockery from Sanballat and co.

When it became absolutely necessary, Nehemiah resorted to the use of arms - the opposition was going to launch surprise attacks on them and because they were privileged to get that information early, they prepared and stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall. He also encouraged the guards, assuring them of God’s protection over their lives and of course ultimate victory against their enemies.

He trained and encouraged everyone to be on alert, high alert so that even while drinking water, his spear was rightly positioned for attack. He also kept reassuring them of God’s protection. God honored Nehemiah and kept him and his men and the Jews safe. The opposition failed and the wall was completed.

y Provide Leadership to Heal the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Nehemiah; Strategist and Builder

He provided leadership and direction. He provided selfless leadership, not leadership for personal gain.

God instructed Nehemiah to rebuild the broken down walls of Jerusalem after a period of waiting in God in prayers and fasting. Having received uncommon divine favor from God to access the required resources for the tasks ahead, Nehemiah went to Jerusalem; probably accompanied by some Jews and friends.

Quite significant and instructive is the fact that he did not share what God instructed him to do at Jerusalem with anyone immediately. They had been there three days, yet he kept mum. Even when he embarked on the surveillance mission at night to inspect the walls, he was taciturn. Not a word to anyone, not even the priests, nobles, local officials or anyone else he would partner and work with.

Also significant is the fact that he embarked on the mission at night – so as not to call attention to what he was doing – inspecting the wall to ascertain extent of damage. That way, no one knew what he was doing or what he was up to. It was only after he had a clear idea of the extent of damage and the volume of work required for damage reversal that he called a meeting of potential stakeholders and told them why he was in Jerusalem; albeit what had to be done and the favor and support he had received from the King.

The potential stakeholders were impressed and gave him their full support. That commenced the rebuilding of the broken down walls of Jerusalem albeit amidst fierce opposition by those who hated the Jews – led by Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem. Nevertheless the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt because Nehemiah provided leadership, drawn from God through his fervent relationship with God.

Secondly, the people had a mind to work because God made them willing – Psalm 110 – your people shall be willing in the day of your power. God energized and strengthened them to work.

Leadership is not competition; it is not rivalry; it is giving divine direction to the people of God so that the people who know their God can do exploits at all times. Most times, people assume that leadership is lording it over people but the truth is that leadership is to provide direction. Jesus Christ gave the perfect example when He said that leadership is service - service to humanity – teach the people what to do; direct them on where to go; instruct them on how to do things and give them the space they require to do what they have to do with zero to minimum supervision. Leadership is not a show off of power, money and influence. It embodies humility and a willingness to teach and correct in love.

Provide Leadership to Heal the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

 Hezekiah’s Strategy

Quite significant, instructive and strategic is the fact that Hezekiah did not have access to or owned the military, numeric, economic or political might of the Assyrian King, Sennacherib. Even the military chieftain of the Assyrian army known as Rabshekah attested to this fact when he sarcastically asked Hezekiah’s men if they could find two thousand men to place on two thousand horses that they would gladly give Hezekiah. Please read Isaiah Chapter 36 verse 8.  So in terms of numeric strength of soldiers, as well as weapons for warfare, Judah had none and Hezekiah did not pretend that he had anything anywhere. Therefore, looking at the facts on the ground, Judah had absolutely no reason to defy Sennacherib. Yet Hezekiah chose to defy Sennacherib and urged his people to do so. Why?

Hezekiah trusted in God and chose to use the truth of the word of God that never fails; that always accomplishes divine purpose against Sennacherib and his conquistador army. Even the Rabshekah warned Hezekiah that Hezekiah’s words were no match for his weapons. Please read Isaiah Chapter 36 verses 4 to 7. Not surprising! The Rabshekah was ignorant of the truth of the word of God; coupled with the great power in the word of God. He did not know that the word of God is God; and because all power belongs to God (Psalm 62); the word of God cannot and does not fail.

Significantly, Hezekiah did not call a press conference to address the press about what the Rabshekah said. Neither did he call a national executive committee meeting. He did not also call a town hall or community or national meeting.

Hezekiah, fasting went to the temple of God and prayed. He also sent the three representatives to the prophet Isaiah to report what the Rabshekah said. Hezekiah had hardly finished from the temple waiting to get feedback from the three representatives sent to Isaiah when Sennacherib sent a new message; this time a handwritten letter. After reading the letter, Hezekiah again acted in the area of his strength. He went to the temple and spread the letter out before God.

Wise Women, Strong Women, Strong Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

  

Humble, loving, kind

She sits at the feet of Jesus

Godly, she fears the Lord

Resourceful, her hands work diligently

Obediently, she submits in love and the fear of God

Selfless, she prepares to meet the King

Boldly, she requests deliverance for her people

Prayerful, she fasts and intercedes

Spending quality time with God

Fearless, fully trusting God for victory

She calls the men of war to rise up against oppression

She leads a nation to war

Wise, cautious, she kills the oppressor of her people

Feeding him milk which makes him slumber

Sound asleep, she drives the tent peg in his head and ends his oppression of her people

Strategic, tactful, she places Moses in a basket

Moses is saved from Pharaoh’s claws

Raised in Pharaoh’s palace

The audacious woman of Samaria

Boldly, courageously, she converses with Jesus

Speaking the truth about her past

Letting go of the negative past

To take on the glorious future

She shares that future with her people

A city turns to Christ in a day

Because a woman hitherto disrespected finds the glorious future

And counsels her people to buy into that future

Her boldness and courage speaks volumes of

Wise women who build nations

Despite being confined to the positions of water fetchers and carriers in cities and communities

The wise woman of Abel of Beth Maachah,

Her wise counsel saved the community from destruction by Joab.

Providing support for kingdom work

They ministered of their resources to Jesus

She supported the Apostle Paul

She sacrificed their last meal for the Prophet and stopped famine in her household

She made clothes for the widows and the poor

They gave their gold, silver and bronze as well as their skills, expertise, and time for the building of the tabernacle – Luke Chapter 8 verses 1 to 3, 1^st Kings Chapter 17, 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verse 8 to end, Acts Chapter 16 verses 13 to 15, Exodus Chapter 35 verses 20 to 27.

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Wise Women Build Nations 3

Written by Uyoyou Charles-Iyoha

Abigail is described as a very beautiful woman. She was naturally, physically beautiful so she did not need all the extra beauty aids that women often need to make themselves beautiful. She was a woman of good understanding, a very wise woman who always resorted to the use of godly wisdom in resolving contentious issues. She was a generous person. She packed provisions for David and his men.

Unfortunately, she was married to a man the Bible describes as harsh and evil in his doings (1^st Samuel Chapter 25 verse 3). This man named Nabal (foolishness) was a very rich business man in Carmel, though a descendant of Caleb. Apart from being harsh and evil in his doings, Nabal lacked any refinement and this showed in his absolute lack of divine communication skills. He simply did not know how to talk to people. He was therefore rude and offensive 91^st Samuel Chapter 25 verses 10 to 11). He talked down at people and had absolutely no regard for anyone. After all, even his servants knew that Nabal was such a scoundrel that no one could speak to him (1^st Samuel Chapter 25 verse 17). Yet, Abigail never quarreled with Nabal over his character flaws. Rather, she found creative ways of navigating them using godly wisdom.

Life must have been terrible for Abigail living with such a man. But I very much doubt it because the Bible describes Abigail as a woman of good understanding. She had the God given wisdom to manage Nabal and all of his character flaws; including his great love of wine and feasting. She could tell when he was drunk and always refrained from discussions with him (1^st Samuel Chapter 25 verses 36 to 37). She was indeed a wise woman who did not allow Nabal’s foolishness to affect her and impact her life negatively. But Abigail knew how and when to speak to him.

Wise Women Build Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Charles-Iyoha

Jechobed became pregnant at a time when Pharaoh decreed the death of every male Hebrew child. Though the Bible does not mention it, I want to assume that every pregnant Hebrew woman prayed to give birth to female children so that their children would be spared. But not so Jechobed. Descendant of the Levites and wife to a Levite, she bore a son at a time when every Hebrew male child was carrying a death sentence.

One look at the child and Jechobed took a decision. This child would not die. She successfully hid him for three months. Beloved, though the Bible does not say so I believe that those three months were also three months of deep level intercession for God to spare the life of the child. And one bright morning, the answer to her prayers came. She got this divine brilliant idea to take the baby to the River Nile. Also included in this brilliant idea were protective measures to shield the baby from sinking, from being eaten by crocs or other sea animals. So Jechobed set to work – she made the ark, coated it with asphalt and pitch before placing the child in it. Then very strategically, (I believe she was following divine instructions and directions), she dropped the basket in the reeds by the river’s bank (Exodus Chapter 2 verse 3) and left.

She did not go home to wail, to gossip, to be bemoan her plight to her neighbours and family, to abuse Pharaoh, curse him for decreeing the death of Hebrew male children. Beloved, I believe that Jechobed went home to pray to the God who had been their Ebenezer, who had consistently and safely led them from safe pregnancy to safe delivery, safe protection and well being for three months and now safe temporary stay in the basket in the reeds at the river’s bank.

Wise Women Build Nations

Written by Uyoyou Charles-Iyoha

Who is a wise woman? A wise woman is a woman who fears God – Job Chapter 28 verse 28 and deploys the wisdom garnered from the fear of God into homebuilding and nation building. Wise women therefore build nations by building rock solid homes filled with the presence of God. What does it take to build a home?

A number of women in the Bible as well as in history are shining examples of women who paid attention to the plans and purposes of God for their lives and emerged victorious despite the challenges and oppositions that dogged their paths. Mary Slessor, Florence Nightingale, and the founder of Foursquare Gospel Church.

Significantly, Jechobed, Hannah and Esther are regular people, not prophetesses, priests or temple assistants. In point of fact, they were regular housewives saddled with the day to day responsibilities of managing their respective homes successfully. Yet, they set time aside to spend with God in relating with Him first as their God as well as addressing issues of concern.

This implies that every wise woman is a person who spends quality time with God and not necessarily a prophetess, priest, or temple assistant. It also means that the key to wisdom and  progress is in the quality time spent with God for as a person spends quality time with God in His word, quality praise and worship, God reveals His mind, plans and purposes, divine strategies for success and progress to the person (Psalm  23, 107 verses 1 to 7, 23 to 30).

It was when these women sought the face of God in prayers and fasting and quality time in His presence that the storms in their lives were calmed. God revealed the divine strategies for solving their problems. In the case of Esther, it was a banquet at which Haman behaved untowardly towards the queen and was consequently sentenced to death and hung in his own gallows that he had built for Mordecai. Also, the Jews were spared extinction. Hannah was led to make a vow that culminated in additional five children after she released Samuel to God in fulfillment of her vow. Jechobed tactically hid Moses for three months and when it was no longer convenient to do so, God led her to keep him by the riverbank and arranged for Pharaoh’s daughter be there then, see the young child and have compassion on the child. Beloved, these are clear divine leading guidance and strategies.

Healing the Nations by the Spirit of God

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Host, Zechariah Chapter 4 verse 6

True holistic healing that is spiritual, physical and mental can only come upon the peoples and nations by the Spirit of God known as the Holy Spirit. God dwells in us by His Spirit, therefore His Spirit in us will help to bring captivities to an end in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. There were prophecies about His coming and the great work of healing and restoration that He would do in the lives of believers filled with the Holy Spirit. Please read Joel Chapter 2 verses 28 to 32, John Chapter 16 verse 7, Acts Chapter 1 verse 4, and Luke Chapter 24 verse 49.  Such healing comes upon the land and whatever is resident on the land, water and natural resources.

The Holy Spirit energizes believers to pray effectively. Please read Acts Chapter 2 verses 1 to 4. The Holy Spirit directs you in the way of prosperity, divine direction, divine health, mental alertness, having a pleasant disposition, financial well-being and physical well-being. For instance, the Holy Spirit is the One Who instructs you to take record of your finances, take account of how much you spend so that you can manage your finances profitably. Beloved, accountability is important in every area of life. Read the Bible, make notes. Meditate on your notes in line with the word of God and the Holy Spirit will give you direction. Plan – Proverbs Chapter 21 verse 5. Unplanned and compulsive spending will lead to disaster. Have a culture of saving.

Fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit upon missionaries, Ministers of the gospel, believers generally; to be empowered to preach the gospel boldly across the world using technology as well as other means of preaching the gospel. The Apostles, Stephen and Philip were filled with the Holy Spirit. They evangelized their world. Please read Acts Chapter 4 verse 31.

Fresh fire for intercession, a great outpouring of the Spirit of grace and supplication upon the Church of God in order to be empowered to groan for the salvation and deliverance of lost souls globally especially those in the 10/40 window region. Please read Romans Chapter 10 verses 1 to 3.

God is Able to Heal the Nations

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God is good, God is always faithful, God is holy, He is fearful in praises, He is glorious in holiness, rich in mercy and merciful, exceedingly kind and good, God is awesome, wonderful, powerful since all power belongs to Him, God is true and does not lie, God is love and always loving, God protects, God provides, God heals, God delivers, God forgives sins, cleanses from iniquities, justifies and sanctifies. God is the Redeemer and always redeems, God is the Savior of the world and always saves, He does not fail, and He does not renege on His word. His desire and intent is to do good to His people by bringing healing and every kind of deliverance to His people in the nations.

God always forgives but His forgiveness is based on genuine repentance coupled with a willingness to renounce and forsake the sin. He forgave Peter who denied Jesus Christ three times. He forgave Zacchaeus. He forgave Mary out of whom He cast out seven demons. What then is your sin or the sin of your nation and people that God will not forgive? Simply acknowledge and confess the sin or sins to Him and they are as good as completely wiped out clean so that His healing can flow in the nations.

God is able to heal the nations because all power belongs to Him. Please read Psalm 62 verse 11. God has the ultimate power, the limitless resources, capacity and whatever else is required by anyone, and wherever to bring healing to the nations. No one and nothing can stop Him. He heals, He delivers, He makes abundant provision, He restores, He guides and guards, He makes alive, He delivers from death, He opens doors in unlikely places, He uses unlikely channels and vessels for great miracles.

One of the ways God demonstrates His power is to open doors which no one no matter how powerful and influential can shut even if they have the legal ground to do so. Please read Revelations Chapter 3 verses 7 to 8, Isaiah chapter 22 verse 22, Isaiah Chapter 45 verses 1 to 3, 49 verses 25 to 26, 60 verse 11.

Release the Power in the Word 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Jesus Christ did not shoot a single bullet. He did not call for a revolution. He did not lead a crowd of ragtag rebels yet He impacted the lives of multitudes of people. The people were transformed by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Willingly, they followed Jesus and abandoned the old ways which held them captive. The teachings of Jesus Christ liberated them from the lies and manipulative teachings of the religious leaders of the day which held them bound to traditions which had no relevance to the love, mercy and compassion of God for His people.

The teaching of the Prophet Zechariah propelled the people of Judah to rebuild the temple of God. Additionally, the teaching ensured a renewed confidence in God and His power to always make impossibilities possibilities. Also, the deflated self-esteem of the people was rekindled and blown to great heights. This was because Zechariah’s teachings based on the word of God reminded the people aware of who they were; a special people of God designed for great works. With their self-esteem rebuilt and enhanced, they soared and excelled at the divine tasks assigned to them. They also prospered because God was with them and He blessed everything they set their hands to do.

As leaders in families, communities, institutions and nations, you should speak powerful words as instructed by the Holy Spirit so you can change the mindsets of people from darkness to the light of Christ in order to bring God’s healing and deliverance to the nations in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. As you speak positive words by the Spirit of God over the people you lead, great transformation will take place in their lives by the Spirit of God.

Release the Power in the Word 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

“At least there is hope for a tree:  If it is cut down, it will sprout again,    and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground    and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. Job Chapter 14 verses 7 to 9.

The word of God does not fail. The word of God always accomplishes what God sends the word to do. Please read Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 6 to 13 and take particular note of verse 11. The Bible records in Joshua Chapter 21 verses 43 to 45 that every single word God spoke to the house of Israel came to pass. Not a single one failed. Please see also Joshua Chapter 23 verse 4.

The word of God has the capacity to quicken the dead, make alive and restore life to dying and dead people and situations such as spiritual death, physical death and mental stupor. In the book of Ezekiel Chapter 37, God restored the spiritually, mentally and physically dry bones in the valley of dry bones. It is also a restoration of hope, vitality and enthusiasm to a despondent people who had lost hope.

In Romans Chapter 4 verses 17 to 25, the Bible records that God quickened the bodies of Abraham and Sarah so that they were able to father and mother Isaac. Their physically dead reproductive organs and systems received life from the Word of God and Isaac came forth.

Spiritual deadness gives way to spiritual life through the power of the word of God such that people rooted in sin turn away from sin to serve God. Please read Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 1 to 22.

The power in the word is released when the word is preached, spoken, declared as prophetic utterances. For instance in Genesis Chapter 1, the Bible records that ‘And God Said’ – God birthed creation by His spoken word – He spoke and it was done. Please see Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 6 to 13, note verse 11, Hebrews Chapters 11 verse 3, 1 verses 1 to 3 and 2^nd Peter Chapter 3 verses 5 to 9 as well as 2^nd Timothy Chapter 4 verse 2, Romans Chapter 10 verses 1 to 18, Jeremiah Chapter 20 verse 9, Deuteronomy Chapter 6 verses 4 to 9, Ezekiel Chapter 37 and Isaiah Chapter 61 verses 1 to 7.

Release the Power in the Word

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

You can hold a gun and never know the power in your hand if you cannot use the gun; that is how to pull the trigger and even when you know, and you do not pull the trigger, you are only holding a loaded weapon that is not useful to you.

The Word of God is God and has always existed with God from the beginning. Secondly, God does not lie and because God does not lie, His Word always performs whatever the word is sent to accomplish by God. Please read John Chapter 1 verse 1, Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 7 to 13 and Psalm 107 verse 20.

However, the power in the Word of God is released when the Word is spoken, prayed, prophesied and declared prophetically. Hearing the Word, understanding the Word will lead to genuine repentance and genuine repentance will lead to healing and restoration. Hosea Chapter 6 verses 1 to 3, Isaiah Chapter 6 verses 1 to 13, note verses 9 to 10.

Daniel was greatly used of God in the empires of Babylon and Persia because he believed God and His Word. Daniel’s boldness and confidence including his intense and fervent prayer life was based on his understanding of God – God is always true, He does not lie – Numbers Chapter 23 verse 19, 1^st Samuel Chapter 15 verse 29, Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 8 to 13, Psalm 130 verse 2 and that the Word of God always comes to pass. That explains Daniel’s fervent intercession for Israel after he understood from Jeremiah’s prophecy (according to the Word of God to Jeremiah that Israel would spend seventy years in Babylonian captivity. Please read Daniel Chapter 9 verses 1 to the end of the chapter and do take note of verse 2).

The Prayer of Release 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There is the prayer of release, the prayer that unlocks blessings, that releases the blessings of God; that looses satanic bondage to give freedom to the people of God. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 18 verses 41 to 46, Daniel Chapters 2 verses 17 to 23, 9 verses 1 to 27, Acts Chapter 12 verses 1 to 19, Nehemiah Chapters 1 and 2, 1^st Kings Chapter 17, 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verses 18 to 37.

Isaac prayed for his wife to have children. He did not blame Rebekah for not having children. He did not even resort to polygamy. Rather, he trusted God and God came through for him. Please read Genesis Chapter 25 verse 21.

Abraham pleaded with God to have children. He did not put the blame on Sarah. Rather, he begged God to Whom all power belongs and Who alone grants conception to give them children. Please read Psalms 127 verse 3 and 128 verses 1 to end.

Elijah prayed down rain in Israel after a drought period of almost three years. Elijah labored in prayer for the release of the rain after he informed King Ahab and his court that there would rain. Alone with God, Elijah prayed until he saw a small cloud which gradually unleashed a heavy downpour.

God is Restoring the Nations 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

When the Lord restored the fortunes of[a] Zion,    we were like those who dreamed.  Our mouths were filled with laughter,    our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,    “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us,    and we are filled with joy.  Restore our fortunes, Lord,    like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears    will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping,    carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,    carrying sheaves with them. Psalm 126 verses 1 to 6.

I am restoring the years you have sown in tears is a line in a song I love so much more so when the Bible corroborates this in several passages of Scripture. Please see Joel Chapter 2 verses 18 to 29, Jeremiah Chapter 32 verses 36 to 44, Ezekiel Chapters 36, 37.

There is more to God than the Savior. He is also the Healer, Provider, Defender, Strength, Protector, Guide, etc. He is also the Restorer Who brings about restoration to His people. God’s restoration is usually multi-dimensional and spans the spiritual, physical, material, marital, financial, intellectual and in as many other areas that you can think of. This implies that God brings about restoration in every area of life. Significantly, His restoration often doubles; triples, quadruples and compounds whatever losses were suffered in the past.

Joseph is a classic example – the years of servitude and being a prisoner in Egypt paid off as Prime Minister in Egypt. That is why he named his first son Manasseh, meaning that God made him forget the toils, shame and indignity of slavery he suffered for almost twenty three years of his life.

Jabez got double blessings from God for the reproach he suffered on account of the name his mother gave him. Jabez’ blessings are what you could describe as an indeed blessing, the type of blessing that showcases a person, family, communities and nations. Such blessings also bring about uncommon favor, sustainable generational wealth, speed and increase on every side.