WE ARE THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY

Many years ago, a very senior cleric who was also a lecturer in a theological institution, on a lighter mood, but seriously speaking asked his students a simple but logical question: ‘When anyone is about to embark on a journey, which of these prayers is most appropriate and why?’
a.O Lord, go before me
b.O Lord, go with me.
Of course, many responses were given by the students.  Some went with “Go before me”, and their reason was that if God should go before anyone in his or her journey, He would surely clear every obstacle on the way, and a smooth journey is assured.     Meanwhile, another set of the students went  with “God with me”. Their  reason was that, what if another obstacles surface in the course of the  journey, when God had already gone before you?  Hence, in their own  opinion, it is safer to pray God to go with us hand-in-hand so that any  obstacles faced in the course of the journey, whether in front or behind, He would rise to conquer them for us.
What then was the response and submission of the cleric who initially asked this question?  I guess you want to know.  He said, both responses were good, but that nobody should take chances.  It is much more safer, according to him, for the prayer to be “O Lord, go before me; come with me and come behind me”.  He said, with this, safety is much more guaranteed.
Beloved, year 2014 is a journey which we have just started.  Do not take chances in all you do, especially in all your journeys.  Ask God, according to Exodus 13: 21-22, that in all your journeys, on land, in the air, on the rail, on the water and in all places, He should go before you by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire.  On the other hand, in the second Book of Kings chapter 6, the sons of prophets asked Elisha to allow them embark on a particular journey; and he allowed them.  In verses 3 & 4, the servants were wise enough to entreat Elisha to go with them; and he did.  In verse 5, when the sons of the prophets were faced with embarrassment, when the axe which they borrowed fell into the water, they cried to their master (Prophet Elisha) who was already with them, and through the power of God, he rescued them.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, this year, in all you do, commit your ways to the Lord, do not take chances.  Move closer to Him this year than ever.   Ask Him in all your journeys, to go before you, to go with you and also to come behind you; and in His company, you are safe indeed.
Briefly, in the light of our theme for this week, “The light of His glory”, looking at this from Prophet Isaiah’s word in chapter 60: 1 of his book, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you”  E. John Hamlin, an Old Testament scholar in his book  titled “A guide to Isaiah 40-66”, said that the three chapters (60-62) are poems about the glorious future which God will bring to His people. For example, the fulfilment of the prophecy in Isaiah 60: 6, 9 is not in sailing ships and camels.  That was simply the poet’s way of describing:
a. the prosperity to come, and
b.a future relationship between God’s people and the nations.
Prophecies make God’s intentions known to us so we can take pre-emptive action.  Prophecy is thus a call to action on our part.  It is God’s intention to make us His new people, living among the nations as bearers of blessings and priests for them.  This hope however, should inspire us to rejoice now in our salvation, to pray for our society and for all nations, to work for the welfare of our society, and above all, to show in our lives the meaning of righteousness and salvation for others to see.
It is also God’s intention that all peoples should take part in building His new society, and contribute to it from their own cultural richness.  It is also God’s intention that there should be an end to violence, corruption, sorrow, disease, and hatred in His created world.  It is therefore, our duty, as the people of God, to change the conditions and attitudes which lead to these evils; to be concerned with their victims and to help rebuild ruined lives and societies.
Brethren, as the light of God’s glory in the year 2014 and beyond, we have a lot to do for God and the world at large, especially in our nation, Nigeria.  May God give us the grace and the enablement to serve Him better this year and in the years ahead.  Amen.
Have a week of emotional and physical fulfillment as you radiate His light and glory to others in the New Year.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede