The beginning of the year is the season when the merchants of God tell the tallest tales about God. They tell us to trust God for all kinds of things in the coming year. They tell us God will buy us cars; He will build us houses; He will even buy our pastors jets so they can evangelise and save the world.
These motivational preachers, who often require down payments for God’s promises in their bank accounts, are snake-oil salesmen and women. What they conveniently fail to tell us is the truth that God cannot be trusted to fulfil our vanities.
Be careful what you trust God for. Otherwise, you will conclude that God is not trustworthy. God is often not inclined to do what we want. His thoughts are not amenable to our vainglories. His ways are not conducive to our pride of life.
Do not buy the lie. Yes, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. (2 Corinthians 5:19). But only so that the world might ultimately be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20). God says to man: “Not your will but mine be done.” He says: “Not your method but mine. Not your timing but mine.”
Can we trust God enough to accept this?
God will only act when He chooses to act. He will only do things His way. That makes Him untrustworthy to the Frank Sinatra who want things their way.
“As for me,” says the psalmist, “I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in your hand.” (Psalm 31:14-15).
Commanding God
As a new believer, I was misled by a King James Bible translation that reads:
“Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his maker, ‘Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands command ye Me.’” (Isaiah 45:11).
I went around barking commands at God in the altar of prayer. It took me a while to realise that the correct translation means the exact opposite of that KJV version:
“The LORD, the holy God of Israel, the one who shapes the future, says: ‘You have no right to question Me about My children or to tell Me what I ought to do!’”
God cannot be trusted to fulfil our dreams. He cannot be trusted to fulfil our purposes. The fact that you want a car does not mean you can trust God to get one for you. God can only be trusted to fulfil His promises. He cannot be trusted to fulfil our agendas.
That is why it is important to have a relationship with God. That way, we can hold God to the promises He makes to us and not even assume the promises He made to others in biblical days automatically apply to us. When we read the Bible without understanding, we conclude foolishly that letters addressed to others are automatically meant for us.
Trust without understanding
Think this through with me. Can you really trust Someone who kills off Ezekiel’s wife just to make a point to Israel? Can you trust Someone who did nothing to prevent Herod from chopping off John the Baptist’s head? Can you trust a Doctor who deliberately stays back when told His friend is sick and finally arrives four days’ late after the man has died?
Can you trust a Physician who could heal you immediately but decides instead to nurse you back to health? Can you trust Someone who would shut His face from His Son when He is dying on the cross? Can you trust the bosom Friend who invited the devil into Job’s situation and allowed him to kill his children, destroy his business and adversely affect his health?
Job himself provides the implausible answer. He persists in trusting God despite his ordeal. He did not succumb to the entreaties of his wife to curse God. Instead, he declares:
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15).
Trusting God does not always mean we will understand what He is doing or why He is doing it. The wise man counsels:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Work of faith
What we are called to do is to stand on the word of God, irrespective of whatever situation we find ourselves. We are not to trust God for things. We are to trust God in all things.
God is not only good when the going is good. He is the same yesterday and today and forever when the going is bad. (Hebrews 13:8). We mouth vain platitudes that “God is good all the time.” But then we nevertheless feel betrayed when times are bad.
Peter trusted Jesus to walk on water. But when the waves turned, he doubted and began to sink. (Matthew 14:29). The disciples trusted Jesus to cross over to the other side. But when the storm arose, they doubted and complained that He did not care if they perished. (Mark 4:38).
Trust in God is not inherited: it is learnt. It does not come because of the “completed work of Christ on the cross.” We learn to trust God by trusting Him. For us to learn to trust God, He must put us through some hair-raising situations. If God does everything we want the way and when we want it; we would never develop real trust in Him.
How much work do we have to do when we are trusting God? James says:
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26).
What then is the nature of the work of faith?
Sometimes it is not doing what we would normally do. When we put our trust in the Lord, we do not have to scheme to get a husband. We do not have to backstab to get promoted. We do not need to be evil to get ahead. We do not need to hoard to keep. God gives His beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2).
God is trustworthy
Do not believe the lie: Jesus did not become poor that we, through His poverty, might become wealthy and filthy rich. That is a misunderstanding of Paul. (2 Corinthians 8:9). We do not need Jesus to become rich: we need Him to become poor. God cannot be trusted to make us rich. But He can be trusted to meet our needs. (Psalm 23:1).
He will, indeed, give us the desires of our hearts. (Psalm 37:4). But that means He will determine what those desires should be. God cannot be trusted to give us another man’s husband. He can be trusted to give us ours. He cannot be trusted to give us the world. He can be trusted to give us His kingdom.
Jesus says:
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32).
God can be trusted to meet and exceed only our righteous expectations.
If our prayer is “Father, thy will be done,” we will not be disappointed. As we carry our crosses daily, we should be mindful of Jesus’ example at Gethsemane where He prayed:
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42).
“We say we love the Lord but, in truth, we do not like Him”.
The Bible is a book of prophecies. God says in the Scriptures:
“Don’t forget the many times I clearly told you what was going to happen in the future. For I am God- I only- and there is no other like Me who can tell you what is going to happen. All I say will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” (Isaiah 46:910).
Even some of the historical situations presented in the Scriptures are prophetic. Therefore, they are fulfilled again and again. For example, the persecution of Isaac by his brother, Ishmael, is re-enacted in the persecution of Joseph by his brothers, repeated in the persecution of David by his brothers, and again replicated in the persecution of Jesus by His brothers.
The process continues today in the persecution of true believers by pretender Christians.
Prophetic Christians
Since the believer is created in the image and likeness of Christ, our identity is in the word of God. All we need to do is search the Scriptures to determine what manner of men we are and what the future holds. This is because the Bible does not merely predict the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also foretells the birth, growth, and development of believers and the church of Christ.
It is the prophetic revelation about Christians that is of particular interest here. The Scriptures indicate that Christians will not like Christ. The church in the wilderness rejected Moses. The Israelites rejected the prophets. The Jews rejected Jesus. Christians will reject the word of God.
God says to Ezekiel:
“I am sending you to the people of Israel with My messages. I am not sending you to some far-off foreign land where you can’t understand the language- no, not to tribes with strange, difficult tongues. (If I did, they would listen!). I am sending you to the people of Israel, and they won’t listen to you any more than they listen to Me! For the whole lot of them are hard, impudent, and stubborn.” (Ezekiel 3:4-7).
Indeed, the Scriptures detail not so much how Jesus is hated by men, as how He is hated by His people.
John says:
“(Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11).
That statement is prophetic. Today, Christians are supposedly the people of God; so, the scripture now applies to us. It means Christians will not receive Christ.
Jesus Himself observes that:
“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house.” (Matthew 13:57).
Christian animosity
Most Christians do not like the Jesus of the Bible. We may say we love the Lord because He is our Saviour, but the truth is we do not like Him.
“Why don’t you like Me?” asks God. “What did I do to drive you away?”
“What iniquity did you find in Me that turned you against Me?” (Jeremiah 2:5).
“Hear, O you mountains, the LORD’S complaint, and you strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a complaint against His people, and He will contend with Israel. ‘O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me.’” (Micah 6:2-3).
Moses says God created man in His image. However, George Bernard Shaw was right when he said: “We have decided to return the favour.” We have created God in our image.
Christians do not like the God that is revealed in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we contradict Him at every turn.
We do not want the God who insists we should love our enemies. (Matthew 5:44-45). We prefer a God who sends the fire of the Holy Ghost to destroy them. We do not want the God who says those who use the sword will be killed by the sword. (Matthew 26:52). We prefer a God who provides us with AK47 rifles.
We do not like the God who says we should turn the other cheek. (Luke 6:29). We prefer the God who gives an eye for an eye. We do not want the God who desires mercy. (Matthew 9:13). We prefer a God who exacts eternal punishment on sinners.
The God revealed in Christ is far too demanding for us. He wants everything we have. (Luke 14:33). But Christians prefer a God that only requires a tithe. We do not like the God in Christ who regards men and women as equals. We prefer the God who legislates that women must be servants of men. We do not like the God in Christ who says we should bless those who curse us. (Matthew 5:44). We prefer the God who allows us to abuse our opponents.
Christians do not like the Jesus who was born in poor and humble circumstances. We prefer the Jesus of our mega-pastors who fly around in jet planes and even establish their private airlines. We do not like the Jesus who did not go to school and get a formal education. (John 7:15-16). We prefer the fictional Jesus who boasts of his Ph.D. degree. We prefer the God who establishes church schools and universities where much money is made by charging high school fees.
New improved Jesus
Indeed, the real Jesus of Nazareth has become so offensive to Christians that we have created a new improved Jesus more to our liking. This new Jesus is no longer poor, meek, and lowly. But according to some, He is a rich man who wears “designer clothes.” Some Christians even claim the donkey Jesus rode in humility into Jerusalem was a brand-new “Continental Donkey;” thereby ascribing to it the same status as today’s Cadillac.
Christians have given Jesus a spiritual makeover. He is no longer physically ugly according to prophecy:
“He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” (Isaiah 53:2).
The modern-day Jesus preferred by Christians is very handsome. He is not even Middle Eastern any longer: He is European and blue-eyed.
In effect, we have fulfilled the prophecy which says of the true Jesus:
“He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” (Isaiah 53:3).
But even more than the fact that we do not like Jesus personally, we certainly do not like His doctrine. We do not like His insistence that we must deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Him. (Matthew 16:24). We do not like His requirement that we have to lose our life to save our life. (Mark 8:35).
We do not heed His warning that we should not be worldly but should be hated by the world.
(John 15:18-20). We do not obey His injunction not to have any other father but God.
(Matthew 23:9). We do not agree with Him that a rich man cannot enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24).
We are then confronted with this dire prophetic decree:
“Therefore, God will deal with them and burn them. They will disappear like straw on fire. Their roots will rot and their flowers wither, for they have thrown away the laws of God and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel. That is why the anger of the Lord is hot against His people; that is why He has reached out His hand to smash them.” (Isaiah 5:24-25).
New Year’s Day always brings an opportunity for a new beginning. For the children of Israel it had been a long journey. Moses had led them all the way from Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Kadesh Barnea, through the wilderness, and now they were encamped on the eastern bank of Jordan overlooking the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament records the sermons Moses preached to his people before he went up on Mount Nebo, viewed the Promised Land and died. In the aftermath of his death the children of Israel went on into the Promised Land and possessed it. Along the wilderness route there were often times when there were those who wrung their hands and doubted that they could go on and wished they were back in Egypt. Moses continued to remind them that God “brought us out from there that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He had swore to our fathers” (Deut. 6:23).
Thus, before the blessing of the Promised Land became a reality for his faithful followers, Moses challenges them with these words from Deut. 11:10-24. He reminds them as they cross over to their promised possession that they do so with God’s provision, presence, promise and protection.
As we stand at the brink of a new year our hearts are filled with anticipation and challenge. Only God knows what the future holds but the possibilities are limitless. As we cross over into a new year we do so with the same challenges Moses gave his people so long ago. As we cross over into a new year we’re reminded of:
God’s provision
But the land you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven (Deut. 11:11).
What is Moses saying to Israel here? Better yet, what is God saying to us through their experience? He will meet our needs! He is our source. Like the land of Israel, our land will “drink water from the rain of heaven.” How many times have we seen this across the years…when it looked like hope was almost gone? In those times when we began to feel our source was running out, “God would rain from heaven the blessing upon us.” We cross over into a new year reminded that He is our source.
Moses reminded the people that the land that they were about to possess was a land of “hills and valleys.” God never promised us the way would always be easy. It is not a mountaintop experience all the time. Sometimes we too, like the Israelites, walk through the valley. And then, there are those times when we come face to face with a mountain along the journey which humanly speaking looks impossible to climb.
Yes, it is a land of “hills and valleys.” Anyone who’s ever traveled in the Promised Land knows the reality of this visual expression. There are deep valleys. I’ve walked through the Kidron Valley and through Wadi Kelt. There are high mountains like Mount Hermon and Masada. There are desert places in the Judean wilderness and then there’s the beautiful oasis of Jericho. It did not take the children of Israel long to discover that it was indeed a land of hills and valleys. They began their conquest of the Promised Land with the great victory at Jericho only to descend into the valley of defeat at Ai in the days that came afterwards.
The same is true for us along our own journeys. Ours too is a journey through “hills and valleys.” Thank God for the hills, the mountains. Often in the valleys we forget about the mountains. And, unfortunately, often when we’re on the mountain we forget about the valleys. Both are important! If there were no valleys there would be no mountain tops. We never learn spiritual lessons on the mountain. They are always learned in the valley where we’re trusting, depending on the living God to get us through. Mountains are there to enlarge our vision, to let us see our potential, to give us a spirit of conquest. But in the valleys, that’s where we become more like our Lord. We would not choose the valleys. But His ways are not our ways. He is in fact the God of the mountains. He is also the God of the valleys. Do you remember what Elijah said to Ahab when Ben-Hadad, the cruelest general to ever march an army, besieged the city of Samaria? Elijah said, “…‘Because the Syrians have said, the Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys,’ therefore, I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (I Kin. 20:28). Yes, it is a land of hills and valleys.
But look closely at Deut. 11:11. Note that we take with us into a new year the promise of God’s provision. “It is a land that drinks rain from heaven.” That is, He provides for us supernaturally.
For the children of Israel the land of Israel was quite a contrast from the past years of Egypt. Moses reminds them that the land which they were about to possess was “not like the land of Egypt …
Sermon Outlines
New Year’s Day: Crossing over…into a new year
Deuteronomy 11:10-24
New Year’s Day always brings an opportunity for a new beginning. For the children of Israel it had been a long journey. Moses had led them all the way from Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Kadesh Barnea, through the wilderness, and now they were encamped on the eastern bank of Jordan overlooking the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament records the sermons Moses preached to his people before he went up on Mount Nebo, viewed the Promised Land and died. In the aftermath of his death the children of Israel went on into the Promised Land and possessed it. Along the wilderness route there were often times when there were those who wrung their hands and doubted that they could go on and wished they were back in Egypt. Moses continued to remind them that God “brought us out from there that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He had swore to our fathers” (Deut. 6:23).
Thus, before the blessing of the Promised Land became a reality for his faithful followers, Moses challenges them with these words from Deut. 11:10-24. He reminds them as they cross over to their promised possession that they do so with God’s provision, God’s presence, God’s promise and God’s protection.
As we stand at the brink of a new year our hearts are filled with anticipation and challenge. Only God knows what the future holds but the possibilities are limitless. As we cross over into a new year we do so with the same challenges Moses gave his people so long ago. As we cross over into a new year we’re reminded of:
God’s provision
But the land you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven (Deut. 11:11).
What is Moses saying to Israel here? Better yet, what is God saying to us through their experience? He will meet our needs! He is our source. Like the land of Israel, our land will “drink water from the rain of heaven.” How many times have we seen this across the years…when it looked like hope was almost gone? In those times when we began to feel our source was running out, “God would rain from heaven the blessing upon us.” We cross over into a new year reminded that He is our source.
Moses reminded the people that the land that they were about to possess was a land of “hills and valleys.” God never promised us the way would always be easy. It is not a mountaintop experience all the time. Sometimes we too, like the Israelites, walk through the valley. And then, there are those times when we come face to face with a mountain along the journey which humanly speaking looks impossible to climb.
Yes, it is a land of “hills and valleys.” Anyone who’s ever traveled in the Promised Land knows the reality of this visual expression. There are deep valleys. I’ve walked through the Kidron Valley and through Wadi Kelt. There are high mountains like Mount Hermon and Masada. There are desert places in the Judean wilderness and then there’s the beautiful oasis of Jericho. It did not take the children of Israel long to discover that it was indeed a land of hills and valleys. They began their conquest of the Promised Land with the great victory at Jericho only to descend into the valley of defeat at Ai in the days that came afterwards.
The same is true for us along our own journeys. Ours too is a journey through “hills and valleys.” Thank God for the hills, the mountains. Often in the valleys we forget about the mountains. And, unfortunately, often when we’re on the mountain we forget about the valleys. Both are important! If there were no valleys there would be no mountain tops. We never learn spiritual lessons on the mountain. They are always learned in the valley where we’re trusting, depending on the living God to get us through. Mountains are there to enlarge our vision, to let us see our potential, to give us a spirit of conquest. But in the valleys, that’s where we become more like our Lord. We would not choose the valleys. But His ways are not our ways. He is in fact the God of the mountains. He is also the God of the valleys. Do you remember what Elijah said to Ahab when Ben-Hadad, the cruelest general to ever march an army, besieged the city of Samaria? Elijah said, “…‘Because the Syrians have said, the Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys,’ therefore, I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (I Kin. 20:28). Yes, it is a land of hills and valleys.
But look closely at Deut. 11:11. Note that we take with us into a new year the promise of God’s provision. “It is a land that drinks rain from heaven.” That is, He provides for us supernaturally.
For the children of Israel the land of Israel was quite a contrast from the past years of Egypt. Moses reminds them that the land which they were about to possess was “not like the land of Egypt … where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot” (Deut. 11:10). What was the difference? The land of Egypt depended on human resources. There was not much rain. The Nile was their source and it overflowed once a year. Therefore hard work was involved. By hand and by foot they dug trenches, canals to irrigate the land. In
Sermon Outlines
New Year’s Day: Crossing over…into a new year
Deuteronomy 11:10-24
New Year’s Day always brings an opportunity for a new beginning. For the children of Israel it had been a long journey. Moses had led them all the way from Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Kadesh Barnea, through the wilderness, and now they were encamped on the eastern bank of Jordan overlooking the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament records the sermons Moses preached to his people before he went up on Mount Nebo, viewed the Promised Land and died. In the aftermath of his death the children of Israel went on into the Promised Land and possessed it. Along the wilderness route there were often times when there were those who wrung their hands and doubted that they could go on and wished they were back in Egypt. Moses continued to remind them that God “brought us out from there that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He had swore to our fathers” (Deut. 6:23).
Thus, before the blessing of the Promised Land became a reality for his faithful followers, Moses challenges them with these words from Deut. 11:10-24. He reminds them as they cross over to their promised possession that they do so with God’s provision, God’s presence, God’s promise and God’s protection.
As we stand at the brink of a new year our hearts are filled with anticipation and challenge. Only God knows what the future holds but the possibilities are limitless. As we cross over into a new year we do so with the same challenges Moses gave his people so long ago. As we cross over into a new year we’re reminded of:
God’s provision
But the land you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven (Deut. 11:11).
What is Moses saying to Israel here? Better yet, what is God saying to us through their experience? He will meet our needs! He is our source. Like the land of Israel, our land will “drink water from the rain of heaven.” How many times have we seen this across the years…when it looked like hope was almost gone? In those times when we began to feel our source was running out, “God would rain from heaven the blessing upon us.” We cross over into a new year reminded that He is our source.
Moses reminded the people that the land that they were about to possess was a land of “hills and valleys.” God never promised us the way would always be easy. It is not a mountaintop experience all the time. Sometimes we too, like the Israelites, walk through the valley. And then, there are those times when we come face to face with a mountain along the journey which humanly speaking looks impossible to climb.
Yes, it is a land of “hills and valleys.” Anyone who’s ever traveled in the Promised Land knows the reality of this visual expression. There are deep valleys. I’ve walked through the Kidron Valley and through Wadi Kelt. There are high mountains like Mount Hermon and Masada. There are desert places in the Judean wilderness and then there’s the beautiful oasis of Jericho. It did not take the children of Israel long to discover that it was indeed a land of hills and valleys. They began their conquest of the Promised Land with the great victory at Jericho only to descend into the valley of defeat at Ai in the days that came afterwards.
The same is true for us along our own journeys. Ours too is a journey through “hills and valleys.” Thank God for the hills, the mountains. Often in the valleys we forget about the mountains. And, unfortunately, often when we’re on the mountain we forget about the valleys. Both are important! If there were no valleys there would be no mountain tops. We never learn spiritual lessons on the mountain. They are always learned in the valley where we’re trusting, depending on the living God to get us through. Mountains are there to enlarge our vision, to let us see our potential, to give us a spirit of conquest. But in the valleys, that’s where we become more like our Lord. We would not choose the valleys. But His ways are not our ways. He is in fact the God of the mountains. He is also the God of the valleys. Do you remember what Elijah said to Ahab when Ben-Hadad, the cruelest general to ever march an army, besieged the city of Samaria? Elijah said, “…‘Because the Syrians have said, the Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys,’ therefore, I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (I Kin. 20:28). Yes, it is a land of hills and valleys.
But look closely at Deut. 11:11. Note that we take with us into a new year the promise of God’s provision. “It is a land that drinks rain from heaven.” That is, He provides for us supernaturally.
For the children of Israel the land of Israel was quite a contrast from the past years of Egypt. Moses reminds them that the land which they were about to possess was “not like the land of Egypt … where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot” (Deut. 11:10). What was the difference? The land of Egypt depended on human resources. There was not much rain. The Nile was their source and it overflowed once a year. Therefore hard work was involved. By hand and by foot they dug trenches, canals to irrigate the land. In Egypt it was all done by human effort. Work, work, work was the motto. In Egypt there was no need for God. Water was stored by artificial means and fields were irrigated by human sweat and toil. Egypt did not depend on God like Canaan did.
There are a lot of churches today that operate like the children of Israel in Egypt
Sermon Outlines
New Year’s Day: Crossing over…into a new year
Deuteronomy 11:10-24
New Year’s Day always brings an opportunity for a new beginning. For the children of Israel it had been a long journey. Moses had led them all the way from Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Kadesh Barnea, through the wilderness, and now they were encamped on the eastern bank of Jordan overlooking the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament records the sermons Moses preached to his people before he went up on Mount Nebo, viewed the Promised Land and died. In the aftermath of his death the children of Israel went on into the Promised Land and possessed it. Along the wilderness route there were often times when there were those who wrung their hands and doubted that they could go on and wished they were back in Egypt. Moses continued to remind them that God “brought us out from there that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He had swore to our fathers” (Deut. 6:23).
Thus, before the blessing of the Promised Land became a reality for his faithful followers, Moses challenges them with these words from Deut. 11:10-24. He reminds them as they cross over to their promised possession that they do so with God’s provision, God’s presence, God’s promise and God’s protection.
As we stand at the brink of a new year our hearts are filled with anticipation and challenge. Only God knows what the future holds but the possibilities are limitless. As we cross over into a new year we do so with the same challenges Moses gave his people so long ago. As we cross over into a new year we’re reminded of:
God’s provision
But the land you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven (Deut. 11:11).
What is Moses saying to Israel here? Better yet, what is God saying to us through their experience? He will meet our needs! He is our source. Like the land of Israel, our land will “drink water from the rain of heaven.” How many times have we seen this across the years…when it looked like hope was almost gone? In those times when we began to feel our source was running out, “God would rain from heaven the blessing upon us.” We cross over into a new year reminded that He is our source.
Moses reminded the people that the land that they were about to possess was a land of “hills and valleys.” God never promised us the way would always be easy. It is not a mountaintop experience all the time. Sometimes we too, like the Israelites, walk through the valley. And then, there are those times when we come face to face with a mountain along the journey which humanly speaking looks impossible to climb.
Yes, it is a land of “hills and valleys.” Anyone who’s ever traveled in the Promised Land knows the reality of this visual expression. There are deep valleys. I’ve walked through the Kidron Valley and through Wadi Kelt. There are high mountains like Mount Hermon and Masada. There are desert places in the Judean wilderness and then there’s the beautiful oasis of Jericho. It did not take the children of Israel long to discover that it was indeed a land of hills and valleys. They began their conquest of the Promised Land with the great victory at Jericho only to descend into the valley of defeat at Ai in the days that came afterwards.
The same is true for us along our own journeys. Ours too is a journey through “hills and valleys.” Thank God for the hills, the mountains. Often in the valleys we forget about the mountains. And, unfortunately, often when we’re on the mountain we forget about the valleys. Both are important! If there were no valleys there would be no mountain tops. We never learn spiritual lessons on the mountain. They are always learned in the valley where we’re trusting, depending on the living God to get us through. Mountains are there to enlarge our vision, to let us see our potential, to give us a spirit of conquest. But in the valleys, that’s where we become more like our Lord. We would not choose the valleys. But His ways are not our ways. He is in fact the God of the mountains. He is also the God of the valleys. Do you remember what Elijah said to Ahab when Ben-Hadad, the cruelest general to ever march an army, besieged the city of Samaria? Elijah said, “…‘Because the Syrians have said, the Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys,’ therefore, I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (I Kin. 20:28). Yes, it is a land of hills and valleys.
But look closely at Deut. 11:11. Note that we take with us into a new year the promise of God’s provision. “It is a land that drinks rain from heaven.” That is, He provides for us supernaturally.
For the children of Israel the land of Israel was quite a contrast from the past years of Egypt. Moses reminds them that the land which they were about to possess was “not like the land of Egypt … where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot” (Deut. 11:10). What was the difference? The land of Egypt depended on human resources. There was not much rain. The Nile was their source and it overflowed once a year. Therefore hard work was involved. By hand and by foot they dug trenches, canals to irrigate the land. In Egypt it was all done by human effort. Work, work, work was the motto. In Egypt there was no need for God. Water was stored by artificial means and fields were irrigated by human sweat and toil. Egypt did not depend on God like Canaan did.
There are a lot of churches today that operate like the children of Israel in Egypt. That is, they have it all calculated with human ingenuity. They dig their own trenches. There’s no real need for God. They go right on operating without Him, with their own initiatives, plans and promotions. They do not do anything that cannot be explained by human means. Most everything happens by human effort and ingenuity.
But note the the contrast of the Promised Land. It “drinks water from the rain of heaven.” Canaan was and is totally dependent on God. Rain was His gift. In fact, this land has always been solely dependent upon His provisions. Perhaps that’s why He chose this land and those people to train His church. I Cor. 10:6 reminds us that everything that happened to the children of Israel did so as an example to us in this dispensation of grace. How beautiful to know that He proves this with both autumn and spring rains (Deut 11:14). He sends the early rain for seed time and the latter rain at harvest. Both are important for growing a good crop.
As we cross over into a new year we do so with the assurance that the same God who sends us the autumn rains of the past will send us the spring rains in the future. It may be a land of hills and valleys but it is a land that “drinks rain from heaven.” As we cross over we’re dependent on the supernatural provision of God. God is our source and he has a way of using us to accomplish his purpose. As we cross over into a new year we do so with God’s provision. We also cross over with:
God’s presence
A land which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year (Deut. 11:12).
Remember, the Apostle Paul reminds us that everything that happened to the children of Israel happened as examples for us (1 Cor. 10:6). There were some who said to Moses that they doubted they could accomplish the task of taking the Promised Land. After all, the land was filled with giants and walled cities. But they had forgotten that they crossed over with God’s provision and God’s presence. It was “a land which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deut. 11:11).The year upon which we embark is a year that God cares for. He purposed it. He planned it. He knows the way through the wilderness and all we have to do is follow.
Some of the sweetest words in Deuteronomy 11:12 are often overlooked. Moses refers to the God of Israel as “your” God. He is a personal Lord and Savior. We are in covenant with Him. We are His and He is ours. Moses reminds his people that this is true “from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” As we cross over into a new year we’re reminded that God is watching us, that His eyes are upon us.
New Year’s Day brings a fresh vision of new opportunities. What a blessing to cross over into a new year with the very presence of God Himself. The the contrast of the Promised Land. It “drinks water from the rain of heaven.” Canaan was and is totally dependent on God. Rain was His gift. In fact, this land has always been solely dependent upon His provisions. Perhaps that’s why He chose this land and those people to train His church. I Cor. 10:6 reminds us that everything that happened to the children of Israel did so as an example to us in this dispensation of grace. How beautiful to know that He proves this with both autumn and spring rains (Deut 11:14). He sends the early rain for seed time and the latter rain at harvest. Both are important for growing a good crop.
As we cross over into a new year we do so with the assurance that the same God who sends us the autumn rains of the past will send us the spring rains in the future. It may be a land of hills and valleys but it is a land that “drinks rain from heaven.” As we cross over we’re dependent on the supernatural provision of God. God is our source and he has a way of using us to accomplish his purpose. As we cross over into a new year we do so with God’s provision. We also cross over with:
God’s presence
A land which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year (Deut. 11:12).
Remember, the Apostle Paul reminds us that everything that happened to the children of Israel happened as examples for us (1 Cor. 10:6). There were some who said to Moses that they doubted they could accomplish the task of taking the Promised Land. After all, the land was filled with giants and walled cities. But they had forgotten that they crossed over with God’s provision and God’s presence. It was “a land which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deut. 11:11).The year upon which we embark is a year that God cares for. He purposed it. He planned it. He knows the way through the wilderness and all we have to do is follow.
Some of the sweetest words in Deuteronomy 11:12 are often overlooked. Moses refers to the God of Israel as “your” God. He is a personal Lord and Savior. We are in covenant with Him. We are His and He is ours. Moses reminds his people that this is true “from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” As we cross over into a new year we’re reminded that God is watching us, that His eyes are upon us.
New Year’s Day brings a fresh vision of new opportunities. What a blessing to cross over into a new year with the very presence of God Himself.
The Project Manager, Christmas in Badagry (CiB), Mr Olufemi Iroko, says Badagry is positioned to be the destination for Nigerian Christian pilgrimage.
Iroko said this during the Christmas In Badagry 2.0 news conference on Friday in Lagos to unveil the programmes for the commemoration of the 181st Christmas celebration.
He said that with the ongoing Hamas/Israel war, Christian pilgrimage had been put to a halt, however, Badagry had been positioned to be the destination for Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage.
According to him, Badagry is positioned as destination for Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage, since the first gospel in the country was preached in the community.
Iroko said the first Christmas celebration in Nigeria took place in Badagry, hence, the community would be marking the 181st Christmas celebration in Badagry, from Dec. 23 to Dec. 26.
”Badagry as you may know is the community of many first, starting with the first location gospel was preached in Nigeria.
”The first place Christmas was celebrated in Nigeria (just so you know, Badagry is the only location experiencing 181st Christmas in Nigeria this year).
“Others are the First Storey Building, first primary school, among others.
”With the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, Christian pilgrimage has been put to a halt. However, Badagry is positioned to be the destination for Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage.
”Despite the challenges and trials that have tested our resolve, we have persevered, standing firm in our commitment to fostering unity, compassion among all,” he said.
Iroko said over 20,000 participants were expected at the CiB event, as it would attract many tourists from different parts of the world, thereby boosting the income of Lagos State.
He assured that adequate facilities and security measures had been put in place, for the event, which would hold in a peaceful environment.
The project manager said the CiB event was a testament to the rich historical warmth that enveloped Badagry Town.
He said the 2023 celebration was a reminder of the enduring spirit of joy and goodwill that continued to unite the community and nation, and it promised to be an extraordinary blend of tradition, heritage, and joy.
Iroko said the CiB event was in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Art & Culture; the Ministry of Home Affairs; Reftop Homes, and African Multicultural Heritage Promotions.
He said that CiB continued to be a beacon of tradition and unity, as it had always been an immersive and rich cultural and Christmas experience that captured the essence of the season.
”The celebration of 181 years of Christmas in Badagry not only symbolises the passage of time, but also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of our community.
”The festivities will kick-off with the largest Santa walk and lightening of our 40ft tall Christmas tree,” Iroko said.
He said other activities included beach soccer tournament; carnival parade; Bonfire Delight; performance by Badagry metropolitan choir and other gospel artistes; retelling of the nativity story through captivating drama and recitations, among other activities.
”Beyond the entertainment, Christmas in Badagry is about community engagement and giving back.
”The event will feature various outreach programmes and charity initiatives, reflecting the spirit of compassion and solidarity that has defined Badagry throughout its history,” Iroko said
A gospel singer, Joshua Bamiloye, says Christians who watch the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) All Stars reality show should not be criticised.
Bamiloye, who is the son of Mount Zion Film Founder, Mike Bamiloye, took to his social media platforms to give reasons why people should stop criticising Christians that love watching the show.
According to him, people passing such criticism should make sure they are not football addicts, adding that some people have an addiction that takes the place of God in their heart.
“Before you tackle Christians watching BBNaija, be sure you are not a football addict.
“Before you tackle ladies that know everything about their favorite character, be sure you are not the same with all the football players.
“Before you criticise them replacing devotion time with the show, be sure you have not skipped a fellowship over a hot match. You should not be checking live scores during the service.’’
According to him, the fact remains that whatever competes with God in your heart is on the same boat.
“Of course, we know the show contains immoral scenes and isn’t exactly productive (life of over 80 per cent of entertainment content today).
“So, let’s encourage building our walk with God and placing him as top priority and it will reflect in how much wisdom we apply in handling these contents,” he said.
The former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying to appease Christians in Nigeria.
He claimed that a retired Kaduna emperor wants Tinubu to run the country with malice and vindictiveness against a certain section and against a certain faith.
Tweeting, Sani cautioned Tinubu against allowing the emperor to trigger a crisis in Nigeria.
According to Sani: “The Government of Tinubu is trying to calm and appease the Christian population in the country while the retired Kaduna Emperor is still stocking the embers of religious bitterness, hate and strife with his inflammatory utterances.
“He wants the country to be run with malice and vindictiveness against a certain section and against a certain faith as he once did during his divisive and tragic tenure in Kaduna.
“It’s left for the President to allow him to trigger a crisis, tear or incinerate the country. Nigeria is still a fragile country, we must be careful.”
Nigeria, a country with a constitutional guarantee for freedom of religion, is seeing a continuous rise in religious violations that threatens the rights of its citizens, especially religious minorities.
Religious intolerance and restrictions on religious freedom in Nigeria manifest in the enforcement of blasphemy laws, abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls, but also extend to other areas such as the violent conflicts between the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Christian farmers.
This has left a lasting impact on the lives of both men and women. However, women and girls have been the ones who bear the brunt of this heinous crime. While men and boys also experience religious discrimination and persecution, the magnitude of suffering endured by women and girls cannot be ignored.
The plight of women and children in relation to religious freedom violations is particularly dire, especially when religious restrictions intersect with cultural implications.
This report highlights the distressing reality of girls who are forcefully separated from their families, coerced into religious conversion, and subjected to forced marriages and motherhood.
This heinous crime, which not only violates religious freedom but also the human rights and dignity of victims, has increased in recent years, and many families have been left traumatized and devastated.
Stolen innocence and the harrowing journey into forced conversion
In January 2018, Jennifer Shagari, a 16-year-old SS1 student found herself in the merciless grasp of her Muslim abductors who forcibly converted her to Islam. She was on her way home from school in the Soba area of Kaduna State when a young Muslim boy ambushed and coerced her into running away with him.
He reportedly took her to his community leader and proudly announced that he had brought an Islamic convert. The community leader subsequently took her in and assigned her a supposed parent.
After a week, Jennifer’s parents were contacted and told not to continue the search for their daughter, as she had willingly converted and would be married off to a man of her choosing. This news left her parents distressed and completely shattered.
Prior to this time in 2016, Jennifer’s father Yohanna Matthew Shagari had experienced a similar distressing incident when his younger sister, Blessing, was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam by certain individuals from the Muslim community in Pambegua, located in Kubau LGA, in Kaduna State, but was able to secure his sister’s release after she had spent 21 days in captivity.
Similarly, it took the combined efforts of her parents, some members of civil society and the Hausa Christian Foundation (HACFO) to locate and rescue Jennifer 11 months after her kidnap, amidst threats to her family. Her father had been viciously beaten almost to the point of death in one of the encounters.
However, things would not be the same again. Jennifer, 17 years old at the time of her rescue, was now a mother. She had given birth to her baby two months before she was discovered and had to be rehabilitated to enable her to continue with her education.
Jennifer the day she was rescued
While in rehab, a Muslim cleric from Zaria, Mallam Abdullahi Baba Abdullahi of JIBWIS, organized a group of over thirty Islamic militants and launched a late-night raid on her residence.
The militants, armed with a public address system, forcefully demanded her return and threatened severe consequences. The harrowing incident unfolded until approximately 2 a.m., at which point they realized Jennifer was not present and subsequently retreated back to Zaria.
Tragically, Jennifer’s baby fell ill and passed away three years ago, but Jennifer returned to school and has now graduated from secondary school, but her future remains uncertain as her struggling parents cannot afford to sponsor her to get a university degree.
Parmata Misari, a 14-year-old student at Women Teachers College Zaria, was abducted in a conspiracy involving her school matron, a teacher, the gateman, a bike man, and an Islamic cleric.
She was falsely informed that her mother was sick and was taken to be forcibly converted and married off. Parmata’s memory went blank after she was allegedly given dates fruits (popularly known as “dabino” in Nigeria) to eat, and she remained captive for a month until she was eventually freed.
The culprits were suspended by the school authorities after an investigation revealed their involvement and Parmata has since graduated and is doing well.
In yet another incident, a 14-year-old girl, Esther Duniya, was abducted from school and forcefully converted to Islam by the village head of Dorayi in Kaduna State, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the ongoing persecution of Christians in the region.
Esther remains in captivity under the custody of Hakimin Makarfi in Makarfi Local Council. The Hausa Christians Foundation (HACFO) and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have called for Esther’s safe release and condemned the forced conversions of young Christian girls.
HURIWA has promised to sponsor a bill in the National Assembly to criminalize such acts. The matter has also been brought to the attention of the Kaduna State government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the National Anti-Human Trafficking Agency.
A lawyer practicing in Kaduna State, Abishag Sambo, who has helped in the rescue and rehabilitation of some of these teenage girls, told our reporter that poverty was driving religious violations in Nigeria.
“Christian girls from poor backgrounds are usually the target. They are lured by fancy material things and promised a better life. Their parents too do not have the resources to withstand their abductor,” Sambo said.
Some of the latest series of abductions by the militant group has particularly targeted schools, particularly those educating girls. The kidnapping of over 200 Chibok girls in 2014 marked a significant turning point in Nigeria’s security landscape, as it led to subsequent kidnappings of students at different times across the country.
Following the Chibok incident, similar kidnappings occurred including the Dapchi school abduction in 2018, where over 100 girls were taken by Boko Haram and later released, as well as the Kankara school abduction in 2020, where over 300 boys were kidnapped and subsequently released after negotiations.
On March 21, 2021, more than 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram militants from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara state. These incidents often involve armed assailants who storm schools, overpower security personnel, and abduct students, subjecting them and their families to unimaginable trauma and anguish.
In Nigeria, religious restrictions have cultural undertones, and women are often given off in marriage and compelled to adopt the religion and denomination of their husbands, sometimes against their will.
Women who refuse to comply with this tradition often face stigmatization, discrimination, and even violence.
In 2018, the Igando Customary Court in Lagos state ordered the dissolution of the 21-year-old marriage between Rabiu Olayiwola and his wife, Rachael Olayiwola after the then 41-year-old mother of seven, reneged on her promise to convert to her husband’s faith, shortly after their marriage, and efforts by the court and family to reconcile the couple had failed.
Killings of accused witches
The alarming phenomenon of witch persecution in Nigeria, particularly in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers states, and other regions, continues to claim innocent lives and perpetrate gross human rights violations.
Children who are accused of witchcraft are left homeless as their parents or guardians abandon them to roam the streets, while others face unimaginable cruelty in attempts to extract false confessions. Regrettably, some pay the ultimate price without an opportunity to defend themselves.
Recently, in August 2022 the brutal torture and subsequent deaths of two widows, Martina Osom and Rose Akom, by youths in the Ebbaken community of Boje in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, highlights the severity of the issue.
The women, who were active members of the Catholic Church and had served their community, were accused of witchcraft based on a dream experienced by another woman. Despite vehemently denying the allegations, they were mercilessly beaten and tied up until their tragic demise.
A religious leader Simon Lucas in an interview with our reporter said these distressing cases emphasize the urgent need for Nigeria to address the deep-rooted issue of witch persecution.
“Efforts must focus on promoting education, tolerance, and human rights awareness to eradicate these harmful beliefs and practices. It is crucial for authorities, communities, and individuals to come together, reject witch hunting, and protect the innocent, upholding the principles of justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity,” he said.
Religious dress restrictions and the controversial actions of Hisbah police:
Religious dress restrictions have also emerged as a contentious issue in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the rights of Muslim women who wear the hijab. Across the country, there have been disturbing instances of discrimination against Muslim women based on their choice to don the hijab in various public settings, educational institutions, and workplaces.
One notable incident occurred on June 17 2022, when the Supreme Court granted approval for the use of hijab by Muslim female students in Lagos State. After a previous judgment by the Lagos State High Court in 2014 banned the use of hijab in public primary and secondary schools.
Hisbah police
In recent times, the Hisbah police, a religious law enforcement agency operating in some states in Nigeria, have been involved in enforcing strict Islamic codes and regulations. These actions have raised concerns regarding human rights and gender equality.
Deborah Samuel, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy, was reportedly beaten to death by a mob in her home in Kaduna State on May 12, 2022, and her killers remain at large.
There have been several instances where the Hisbah police have targeted women for perceived violations of Islamic norms. In Kano State, for example, the Hisbah police have been known to arrest women for improper dressing, including wearing clothes they deem indecent. Such arrests have sparked debates about personal freedom and the right to self-expression.
In another case, in Zamfara State, the Hisbah police raided a hotel and arrested over 100 women, accusing them of engaging in “immoral activities.” The women were detained and subjected to various forms of punishment, raising questions about due process and the treatment of individuals under the law.
Religious conflict and attacks
Violent conflicts between Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Christian farmers in Nigeria’s northern regions have been persisting for an extended period, and have now spread to other parts of the country, resulting in numerous casualties and contributing to the alarming rise in food inflation.
The underlying causes of the conflicts include competition for land, grazing rights, and religious differences. These conflicts have intensified in recent times, leading to a deteriorating security situation and exacerbating ethnic and religious divisions within communities.
Several high-profile incidents serve as stark reminders of the brutal nature of the conflicts and their consequences. In 2021, clashes erupted in Benue State, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people and the destruction of villages. Similarly, in Plateau State, clashes between herdsmen and farmers have left scores dead and led to the displacement of local communities.
For example, more than 30 people were killed in clashes between herders and farmers in the state on May 16, 2023. Innocent civilians, including children, women, and expectant mothers, face ruthless attacks and slaughter at the hands of terrorists and ethnic militias.
Mass burial site of 17 unarmed Christians massacred in Ungwan Wakili community in the Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State in March 2023 || Source: Persecution.org
Another case that exemplifies this intersectional violence is the May 2022 attack in the predominantly Christian and Igbo-dominated southeast, where a pregnant Muslim Hausa woman and her four children were killed.
Reacting to the killing, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State said: “There are no targeted ethnic or religious killings in Anambra State. As a matter of fact, Anambra indigenes have suffered more casualties as a result of the unfortunate killings.”
A Socio-political analyst and public commentator Abdulrahman Abu Hamisu of the Centre for Political Research, Education and Development, told our reporter that the sense of impunity has given the perpetrators of religious violations the audacity to act contrary to the law.
“If religious violations are criminalized, and we go a step further to punish people who violate other people’s rights and religious freedom, then we will have a sane society,” Hamisu said.
These relentless attacks, reprisals, and counterattacks have created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, leaving communities deeply traumatized and struggling to rebuild their lives.
Psychological and emotional impact
The psychological and emotional impact of religious intolerance on women and girls is a grave concern that extends beyond physical harm.
A psychiatrist practicing in Lagos State, Ijeoma Chidiebube said the effects of religiously motivated violence and discrimination can inflict significant psychological and emotional distress, leading to long-lasting consequences for the mental well-being and overall quality of life of victims.
A comprehensive report by the United Nationssheds light on the wide-ranging consequences of religiously motivated violence on the female population.
The report highlights the specific ways in which women and girls bear the brunt of these conflicts, enduring psychological trauma and emotional distress that significantly impact their lives.
A woman crying during the burial of her husband who was killed along with 40 others when herdsmen attacked some villages in Benue state || Source: The BBC
It also underscores that women and girls are frequently targeted due to their religious identity, becoming victims of physical and sexual violence, forced displacement, and arbitrary detention.
Chidiebube said these horrifying experiences not only cause immediate harm but also leave deep-rooted psychological scars, leading to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a myriad of other mental health issues.
She added that to effectively tackle the psychological consequences of religiously motivated violence on women and girls, it is imperative to prioritize long-term solutions.
“This includes promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, enhancing access to education, and dismantling the systemic barriers that perpetuate violence and discrimination.
“Mental health support and resources must be integrated into humanitarian responses to ensure the holistic recovery of affected individuals,” the Psychiatrist advised.
International recognition and recommendations
In Nigeria, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and governmental bodies are making efforts to raise awareness, enforce existing laws against gender-based discrimination, and develop comprehensive programs that address the root causes of religious violations.
However, on the international front, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has consistently recommended that Nigeria be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to severe violations of religious freedom.
The USCIRF has highlighted the Nigerian government’s failure to prevent or stop religiously motivated violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
In February, some United States lawmakers asked President Joe Biden to re-designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern after the country was taken off the list in November 2021.
Chris Smith, the New Jersey representative, said Christians bear the brunt of the persecution in the country and the decision to exclude Nigeria from the list was an “unjustified decision”.
“Last year alone, 5,014 Christians were killed in Nigeria, accounting for nearly 90 percent of Christian deaths worldwide as well as 90 percent of Christian kidnappings across the globe,” Smith said.
Similarly, the Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights issues around the world, in its 2021 World Report, highlighted the Nigerian government’s failure to protect religious minorities and address religious violence in the country.
Systemic issues and inadequate government response
Notwithstanding, the Nigerian government has made efforts to address the issue of religious violations in the country. In 1999, the Nigerian Constitution was amended to allow for the freedom of religion, and the government has since established various agencies and institutions to promote religious tolerance and address cases of religious discrimination and violence.
For instance, the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) was established in 1999 to promote dialogue and understanding between Muslims and Christians in the country. Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was created to investigate and address human rights violations, including those related to religion.
In addition, the government has enacted laws to protect the rights of religious minorities and punish individuals and groups that engage in religious violence and discrimination. For instance, the 2011 Terrorism (Prevention) Act criminalizes acts of terrorism, including those motivated by religious or ideological beliefs.
Hamisu also acknowledged that there were success stories which are underreported in the news. “In Adamawa state, the government has established a peace commission to dialogue and nip in the bud whatever may likely lead to conflict or crisis in the state.
“Government cannot force peace. Government can only enforce measures when the people themselves are convinced (they) don’t want to go back to the past that has become destructive to (their) lives,” he said.
However, despite these efforts, religious violations, particularly against women and girls, continue to occur in Nigeria, and there have been criticisms of the government’s response to these violations.
The Nigerian government’s response to religious violations against women and girls has largely been insufficient. Weak governance and inadequate law enforcement contribute to a climate of impunity, allowing perpetrators of religious violence to go unpunished.
Sambo notes that the failure of the government to hold individuals accountable for their actions creates a sense of injustice and encourages further acts of religious intolerance.
“These killings going on, particularly in the North, are perceived as a jihadist agenda and a grand plan to Islamize the country. Targeting of Christians and attacks on churches and communities with the aim of instilling fear and forcing conversions are indicative of a jihadist agenda,” she said.
Owo Massacre in Ondo state left at least 40 dead || Source: Leadership
Oftentimes economic disparities and competition over resources intersect with religious differences, leading to conflicts. In many cases, marginalized communities may feel excluded or disadvantaged based on their religious beliefs, leading to resentment and animosity towards other groups.
The acting head of First Baptist Church in Abuja, Tom Takpatore, said politicians sometimes exploit religious differences for their own gain, using inflammatory rhetoric and promoting divisive ideologies to mobilize support, which further deepens sectarian tensions and exacerbates conflicts.
Takpatore added that the effect of interfaith dialogue has been largely insufficient to foster dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect between religious communities, contributing to the perpetuation of stereotypes and misconceptions.
“This lack of engagement hinders the building of trust and cooperation necessary for peaceful coexistence. Certain laws and policies may also favour one religious group over another, leading to feelings of marginalization and unequal treatment.
“Discrimination in areas such as education, employment, and political representation can fuel religious tensions and contribute to violations,” he said.
For example, indigenous Hausa Christian communities in Kano State reportedly face discrimination, denial of rights, and limited opportunities. They are often denied scholarships and employment opportunities and live in fear as second-class citizens due to their religious beliefs.
While both Muslims and Christians have been affected by religious persecution in Nigeria, according to available data, it is Christian communities that have faced the most significant persecution for their faith.
Christians in Nigeria have suffered targeted attacks, church bombings, abductions, and forced conversions, resulting in immense psychological trauma and loss.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the complex terrain of religion, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure that individuals can freely express their religious beliefs without fear of discrimination or exclusion.
This investigative report reveals the alarming reality of religious violations in Nigeria, with a focus on the disproportionate impact on women and girls.
The case studies presented underscore the urgent need for the Nigerian government to address these violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and implement robust measures to protect the rights and freedoms of women and girls.
Only through decisive action can Nigeria begin to rectify the systemic injustices faced by its female population and pave the way for a society that upholds religious freedom, gender equality, and human rights for all.
This story was produced with the support of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), in partnership with Code for Africa.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice which characterised the life of Jesus Christ.
In a message released by his media office in Abuja to mark the Easter celebration, the Wazirin Adamawa described those two qualities as essential to the unity that Nigeria so desperately needs at this time when vested and provincial interests threaten to tear our nation apart.
“This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the world to celebrate the Easter festivities. This commemoration is a time for deep reflection as it marks the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his victory over death. It is a time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.
“It is also a time for all of us — regardless of faith, or ethnicity — to come together to pray for the peace of our nation. We must all remain constant in our efforts to promote unity — across all lines — because united, our nation remains stronger, and we can thrive as a people.
The former Vice President noted that it is no coincidence that adherents of the two major religions in the country are currently engaged in sacrifices that are aimed at enhancing their relationship and benefits with our Maker.
He expressed belief that in this season, Nigeria will rise and overcome her national challenges “because our shared experiences are bringing us to the conclusion that no matter what the forces of evil can do, we, as Nigerians, united in doing good, can and shall prevail.”
The Wazirin Adamawa also encouraged Nigeria’s leaders at all levels to use the opportunity of the Christian celebration of Easter to reflect on their stewardship to their people and to the nation.
His words: “Our leaders at all levels should follow the virtues that define this season – sacrifice, love, and charity – and come together to help all Nigerians resolve the differences that divide us.
“We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are as a result of another ethnic or religious group. We must collectively own our problems and collectively fashion out solutions to overcome them”.
