Rev. Fr. Evaristus Eghiemeiyo Abu

Whatever we seek from God will come to us so long as we make His Word a priority in our lives. The secret to your healing, your deliverance, and your breakthrough in life is to allow God’s word into your heart daily. Read God’s word, and use the word of God to pray. Speak God’s words over any situation you may be facing in life, and watch how great things will begin to happen.

Do not repeat Saul’s mistake. As a leader, learn to humble yourself and work with people who are brighter, wiser, stronger or even more prosperous than you. Celebrate others doing better than you are, learn from them, and give them the respect they deserve, even if they are younger than you. Don’t be insecure; pulling others down will not keep you at the top forever. If God has put you at the top, trust God to sustain you; avoid dirty politics.

For sparing Saul’s life, David proved that he was greater than Saul. With a heart full of shame, Saul prayed for David: “So, may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know you shall surely be king.” When you show kindness to your enemies, know that you are doing it for God, who will reward you. Do not assume that your kindness will change their attitude towards you (Saul would later continue his pursuit of David). Be good to them, for God’s sake.

Success is sweet but comes with challenges. Before Goliath, Saul regarded David as some harmless musician. Saul loved David. However, the moment Saul heard the women singing, Saul hated David. We all have people like Saul in our lives; they become a threat to us the moment we start shining. If something good comes your way, they either block it or try to eliminate you. Am I genuinely happy for my friends when good things come to them? Do I accuse them of pride or develop hatred against them because they have become more prosperous, more innovative or successful?

Approach the storms with a positive attitude. God will not allow you to experience a trial unless He wants to use it to bless you. David had just been anointed king, yet he was just a musician in Saul’s palace, a shepherd and an errand boy. It seemed as though the anointing was a waste. Goliath became the mighty storm that would bring David to the limelight. When you face a storm, stop asking: “God, where are you?” Instead, ask: “God, what do I stand to gain from this?” David asked his brothers, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine?” Once you can see the prize, challenges transform into opportunities.

In Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, we see a priest who lived out the selflessness required of the priestly vocation. As we read in today’s Gospel passage, Tansi “sold everything he had to purchase the kingdom of God.” Blessed Tansi was often accused of taking his Christian faith too seriously. For a time, Tansi worked tirelessly in the parishes of Nnewi, Dunukofia, and Akpu/Ajali before discerning his vocation as a Cistercian monk at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Leicester, England. He lived this vocation at the abbey for 14 years. Father Tansi used to say: “If you are going to be a Christian at all, you might as well live entirely for God”.

Let us resolve this week to be new in thoughts, words, and actions. Let us strive to put sin aside and live a new life in Christ. Whatever represents darkness in your life should not continue this new week. Are you used to disobeying one or a few of God’s commandments? You cannot suddenly repent because you desire to; you must change the skin to accommodate the new wine. In other words, we cannot do the same thing and expect a different result. You must change your tactics; you must cut off any relationship or attachment that constantly pulls you to sin.

I guess you’re asking, “Does Jesus need a hypeman?” Yes. Jesus needs you and me to tell the world about Him. Jesus needs your voice, your hands, your legs. He needs your platform, your social media space, your connections, and your popularity. If worldly-minded people are not ashamed to identify with evil, why are we ashamed of our Christian faith? If, for the sake of monetisation, our youths today are ready to do wild things on social media, why are we afraid of “going crazy” for Jesus, knowing that the reward that awaits us far outweighs the dollars they hope to earn from social media companies?

One word that perfectly describes unmerited favour is GRACE. It is God answering the prayers we never said, connecting us with people we never dreamt of, taking us to heights we never knew, and filling us with riches we never worked for. Your life can change in just one day.

Samuel tried to identify all the negative aspects of having a king to discourage the elders, but at this point, they were too angry to listen. They said: “We will have a king over us so that we also may be like all the nations.” In moments of failure, we tend to look down on ourselves, our efforts, our religion, or what we have. Stop trying to be like everyone else. You have a unique destiny. If God allowed you to fail, it is for a purpose. Identify the mistake and stop blaming God.

Those who treat prayer like magic have no respect for God. They see themselves as powerful and regard God as an object that will always do their bidding. Instead of begging God, they issue commands. Instead of acknowledging their nothingness like John the Baptist, who said he was unfit to untie the sandals of Jesus, they boast of their powers and even give themselves titles. Instead of praying for others and telling them not to publicise it (as Jesus did in today’s Gospel passage), they bring cameras to televise it. They reduce the sanctuary to a stage on which people clap and drop money onto the floor for the performer (in this case, the man of God). Church services quickly transform into concerts when prayer is seen as magic.

Prayer is not all about informing God of our needs and problems (as if He does not already know). Prayer is a relationship, a dialogue. As we talk, we must listen because God speaks to us when we come into His presence. Additionally, as Eli coached Samuel in responding, we need spiritual directors to guide our spiritual growth.