AND GOD SHOWS UP IN THE DARKEST HOUR
He gazes at us, surrounds us and manifest all over us yet we do not see Him. We find it difficult to accept that God is present especially when passing through hard times or trials. We wonder if God is present why certain things should happen to us! In our minds, we begin to ponder whether God really loves and cares about us the way we confess Him and as taught in His word. Have you ever fasted and prayed over an issue and it appears God has not answered? When it eventually happens, it is a reverse of your expectation. Have you ever prayed for someone to be healed and it turned out that the person died. And you begin to wonder did God not hear your prayers? If He heard, it could be He did not answer. But the Bible says, ask and it shall be given unto you. You could wonder did I ask amiss or what really went wrong? What if the person you prayed for keep coming back to you because he feels is not yet healed? Why did the person you prayed for die or keep coming back with the same complain? Was it because of his sin or yours? So many things could contest for an answer. In such times, it’s difficult to accept the plan and purpose of God or yield your will to His and trust God for who He’s. Yet God is present and shows up in ways that are beyond our imaginations and comprehension.
The easiest thing to see is God; He’s everywhere in our universe doing great and unbelievable wonders. The Hymn writer says God moves in a mysterious way and His wonder to perform. But some do not find Him yet He’s not hidden. We are so concerned and complain about things that God has not done neglecting the immeasurable things He has done and continue to do. God is not difficult to find if we seek Him with the right heart, in the right place, at the right time. God has been known to show up in the darkest hours when no other person can help and can do what no other person does. When we find ourselves in tightest corner of life and no other can help, we cry on God. When we have messed up and become unacceptable and unlovable we call on God and He hears us and come to our rescue. We suddenly find out He is our ever-loving Dad and we can do nothing without Him. The way and how soon the answers come is His prerogative. Yet He does not delay but always on time. In case you think He delays, His delay is neither denial nor refusal. His thought is different from our thoughts. Just have an open mind and be receptive. His one day could mean one year and so forth [Psalm 90:4]. You can’t evaluate His timing; He can do what ever seem good to Him and His way is perfect [Psalms 18:30].
Some people have prayed for the fruit of the womb and all medical examination reports show that they and their spouses can make babies but the babies have not come. They might’ve jumped from one doctor to another and of course, they usually have one finding or the other to report. You can believe all the medical reports and undergo all the necessary examinations but the underlined factor depends on God. Is God now partial? What else do you want me to believe? Why me and not other people? Come to think about it, I was not so spoiled. Others did worst things than I did but have gotten babies, even twins after marriage. There set in the blame game: Is God mad with me or what? The fault could come from my spouse. Could I be under ancestral family curses or some family yokes have not been broken? Is God just trying me to see whether I can stand by my faith confession? Like Hannah and Elizabeth you must have prayed for years for God to take away this shame and reproach but its delays keep coming. You must have run around most men/women of God for prayers that some now dogged or are tired to see you. The moment you show up they already know your heart cry. Is that a pointer to anything? Only God mercy can avail your needs. It was a joyous ending to know that God showed up in these two women’s darkest hours. That same God yesterday, is still the same today and for ever.
Once again, God is never late but shows up on time; His timing may be different from ours. When He seems delayed, be prepared for a better outcome; something amazing and glorious. If you read the book of first Samuel chapter one and two, and Gospel of Luke Chapter one, you will be amazed with the distinguished attributes of these delayed children. God was busy perfecting His work to fulfill His purpose. They were lads that not only touched but affected their generations. In delayed children, God pads additional wisdom and knowledge as well as uncommon favor. These were not only the common feature in Samuel, John the Baptize and Joseph, the second in command in Egypt but also in most of the lads in our times. God has not changed but changes people and situations as well as circumstances of life. Believe me, God still shows up, most times when hope is lost, He surprises us.
Once upon a time in the city of Nain [Luke 7:11-18], there was a widow whose pains of loosing a husband hardly died down before her only son passed. The scriptures did not say the nature of illness that led to their deaths. The father died of unknown cause and the only child had also passed perhaps for the same reason. It could be a life determined illness from the family root or ancestral curses that were not broken. The death could have been caused by curable diseases for lack of adequate medical treatment. Sometimes those enemies that killed the father were determined to wipe out that generation, by eliminating the heir. Well since death is nothing new in our world especially in that family, the best that could happen to the dead was to burry him. The ground that swallowed the father can as well take the son. Little wonder the men of the city, some of who fraternized with enemies of the father were ready for the operation wipe out the family and share their inheritance. Others were members of the Church who had once said, ‘rest in peace, God gives and God takes’ to the father’s corpse; it’s now the turn of the son, so be it . Surprisingly not all whose bodies lie in the grave yard met their destinies.
As they moved towards the grave yard; passing through the last road junction, heaven responded to the cry and weeping of the poor widow. She wept helplessly following her son’s coffin. The funeral procession was short because the family was not well to do. The power of the living, Jesus Christ showed up. Jesus was passing by when He saw that poor widow cry desolately; she cried her agony and pains out. Jesus felt compassion towards her and halted. Unknown to the poor widow, her day of new beginning has come. The chairman of supreme council of heaven stopped because her case has reached the throne of mercy and He intervened. At that point, every hope of any help from anywhere was dashed. Only Jesus, only Him; He has the authority and power of resurrection. Jesus showed up to give abundant life. Jesus resurrected the young man and the same procession that headed for the burial turned out to be the crowd that rejoiced and celebrated with her the gift of a living son. When God shows up in your life and situation, every impossibility becomes a possibility. Those who laugh at you will no doubt laugh with you. Jesus turned mourning into a joyful celebration. What was unthinkable and supernatural becomes a common phenomenon. Those who had already plan to possess and divide the inheritance of the family giving the death of the heir apparent, went home in disappointment. When God shows up in a matter every mountain becomes a playing ground. Only God can restore life. “We may not know how and why but He can do it again.” This healing of God defied logical explanation.
The very familiar story of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:30-37] depicts another instance that God showed up in the darkest hour. A traveling man on his way to Jericho was attacked by thieves and he suffered some serious injuries. The thieves maltreated and left him unconscious. Those whom we thought would care and show love and mercy passed by in nonchalance: the Priest, the Levites and well wishers failed to help out. But a stranger [a Samaritan] passing by saw him and had compassion on him. Verse 34 says, “And went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine and set him on his own beast and rented an Inn for him and took care of him.” As if that was not enough, the next day when He had to continue his journey, he left some money with the Inn attendant and instructed them to take care of him on his account. “……whatever you spend above that deposit, I will refund you on my return.……” The significance of the stranger’s benevolence was considered very important and exemplary value that most states in United States of America have in place The Good Samaritan law. This law protects persons who render aid at the scene of an emergency from being liable for civil damages, if it is volunteer act and action in good faith.
Is it surprising that those you expect to render some helps to you may end up failing you? No doubt the arm of flesh shall fail you. Sometimes nature allows certain things to happen so as to reveal our inabilities, incomplete nature and helplessness. Does it surprise you that it was a stranger while passing by saw this man and stopped; came down from his horse and attended to his needs? The stranger was neither his relative nor close friend; infact he did not know him. He was on his way to meet his business schedules but created time to save a human soul. Christianity is a call to save human soul. The redemption price of a soul is too high to be paid by corruptible things. It takes the priceless blood of Jesus Christ to redeem the soul. God was in Jesus redeeming and reconciling mankind to Himself. Whatsoever things you do towards redemption of a soul is to fulfill the purpose of God. The Word became man and dwell among us yet we don’t get it. He is present, moving around, doing good; showing up when all other hope is lost and initiating surprises. The crux of Christian faith is that our Redeemer lives and present with us always. Because He lives we can face the uphill task of life. God in the form of man shows up when close friends, religious groups and acquaintances turn their back on you. Soul redemption cost the stranger his time, talent and treasure. The stranger did not see just an animal lying by the wayside but a helpless human being, God’s image and creation as well as a living soul. When God shows up your night turns into day; your doubts and fears drive you into deeper trust and faith in God. Indeed, in Him there’s nothing impossible.
The Gospel of Luke chapter one records a brief history of Zachariah and Elizabeth – John’s parent. At the temple where Zachariah was offering incense to the Lord, God showed up [Verse 11] in an unprecedented manner. He came as an angel with good news and answered prayers; with result hoped for but not seen yet keeps faith hanging. An angel showed up with a decision from the throne of grace and a compensation package for all the delays, frustrations, losses and failures. The chief paymaster came with remuneration for selfless service in His vineyard. In that very hour their history were rewritten. God has turned years of sorrow and weeping into joyful dancing. They were righteous and blameless couple yet they had no child [vs. 6-7]. The multitude of worshipers who came to pray witnessed something unusual but they did not understand. An angel from the throne of God came with a surprise. That same God will surprise you this season, in Jesus name. It’s not over until God say so.
Jesus showed up at Bethany in the home of Mary and Martha who were still mourning the passing away of their beloved brother, Lazarus. Many of the Jews came to comfort them. And Jesus showed up after four days of burial. What can He do now? How I wish He was here before Lazarus was buried. Martha said to Jesus, “If you were here my bother would not die; Nonetheless, whatsoever you ask God He will give it to you” [John 11:20-21].Even though Jesus came days after the burial, Martha believed God is never late. She spoke expectantly when the door has been locked; judgment passed and physical realities are hopeless because death has occurred and corpse buried. Jesus shows up when the prison gate is closed, when the human laws find you guilty, judgment against you is imminent, physical situation says no and when you face an uphill task as well as when you’ve become unacceptable, stinky and unlovable. The discussion did not end there; Jesus shocked Martha, “Thy brother shall rise again.” When Jesus showed up Mary and Martha regained their brother, Lazarus who had passed and buried since four days. Jesus did not only say it, He demonstrated He is the resurrection and life. He called forth Lazarus who was dead and He rose to life. Our Daily Manna says God will sometimes make sure you have lost hope before He shows up. That’s the stage of against hope, believing in hope.
The bible records that Jesus went about doing good and healing all manner of diseases. When He showed up, the 40 year old blind man regained his sight and became an Evangelist of the gospel. This miracle provoked hatred for the man but when God is for you who shall be against you. Jesus showed up at the lake of Bethesada and 38 years of sickness wind up into 38 seconds. Even though he was confused about what he wanted, God’s compassion went out for him. When we are confused and down to nothing, Jesus understands; He is up to something great. To catch a glimpse of the Lord, Zacheus did something unusual by climbing a tree. When Jesus passed by, He looked up and said to him, ‘come down, today salvation has come to you.’ When Jesus showed up even a Tax Collector [a sinner] dined with Him on the same table; it did not matter what unbelieving believers said about him. Jesus presence brought restoration to a warring heart; a sinner became a saint.
While Jesus was ministering to the crowd, He sensed that they were hungry. He turned the two fishes and five loaves of bread into a festive dinner that fed more than 5000 people and had a left over of twelve baskets. God does not only care for our spiritual needs, but also emotional, physical, social and environmental well-being. Even in our days, Jesus shows up in the power of the Holy Spirit. His presence brings His uncommon presents: The blind sees, the lame walks, the dumb talks and sinners made saints of God; indeed every death thing receives power to life. Every demonic, monitoring spirit disappears in the face of God’s powerful anointing. Yokes are broken, marine and witchcrafts spirits dethroned.
God shows up in every place that His name is mentioned in truth and Spirit; where two or three gather in Jesus name to receive adoration and praise of His people. In such place, worship and praise bring about sanctification, healing and renewal of minds. Everything begins to turn around in your favor and advantage. The days of waiting are over and the days of manifestation begins. Today your hopelessness shall turn into vibrant living. All stumbling blocks have become stepping stones. The gates of death and failures are shut and the doors of abundant living opened. Every spirit of destruction, deceit and discouragement give way to fulfilled Christian living because Jesus Christ, our fulfillment is present.
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at: weefreeminisries@yahoo.com OR