By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The general overseer and founder, God’s Greater Grace General Assembly Intl Incorporated, Benin, Rev Sunny Akenbor has admonished Christian faithful not to give up hope yet even in the midst of the daunting challenges, whether economic, political, social or otherwise, saying that, God Himself will show up in their case when they least expected.
He gave the admonition when speaking on the topic: “It is not over yet” at the church Sunday service in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Rev. Akenbor who pointed out a scenario where a wedding ceremony at Cana of Galilee was almost becoming a show of shame because there was no more wine to serve the guests, said, Jesus stepped in and saved the day.
“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
“And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
“And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
“And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
“Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
“And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
“When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
“And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now”, John 2:1-10.
He noted that God will never allowed those who put their trust in Him to be put to shame and that He is going to give them beauty for ashes.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
“And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
“And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
“But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them”, Isaiah 61:3-7.
The man of God further urged believers to work before God diligently for Him alone has the capacity to turn things around no matter how decay and terrible the situation might be, saying, He can breathe life into it just as He did in the life of Hezekiah in the bible.
“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
“Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life”, Isaiah 38:1-5.
