5 REASONS NOT TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY. - DBAM

Yea, you read the title well!

October 1st is here again when Nigerians ask themselves what independence are we celebrating as a Nation with several issues and difficulties which needed to be resolved quickly. There seems to be no end to the problems we face as a nation, as we are dealing with one issue, another one is sprouting up.

Can we then truly say we're independent with the various issues lined up against us as a nation like;

1. Hike in Petrol pump price.

2. Increase in electricity tariff.

3. Incompetent education system.

4. High unemployment rate.

5. Crime and terrorism.

6. Bribery and corruption.

7. Lack of good infrastructures and social amenities among many others.

Why then do we need to celebrate and give thanks to God for Independence. My goal today is to encourage us to give thanks to God, even in our difficult times.

Too often, I believe, our thanksgiving is based on our circumstances and our feelings about those circumstances. And so, if things are good we are thankful; but if things are bad, we are quiet, or worse – we complain or curse. This ought not be so. For the Scripture teaches us to give thanks in all circumstances.

As Paul the apostle says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

And David said in Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Why then do we need to thank God for the independence day?

1. Because of who God is:

Apart from anything that God does, God is worthy of praise. God is glorious and awesome. God’s character and power are beyond anything we know. And so we should praise him for who he is.

Psalm 106:1 praises God’s character, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

2. Because of what God has done;

Even in times of trial, we can count our blessings and see what God has done. We should give thanks for life and breath itself, for all the gifts that God has given us, for family – and on and on. Whatever good thing you are or have is from God.

3. Because in God we have hope and a future:

God allows us to go through hard times. Sometime really, really hard times. This is a fact. But whatever happens to us in this life, we have a hope for something better. This life is not all that there is. In fact, we are to live for the life that is to come, not this one.

4. Because God can use difficulties to bless us:

God is able to bring good out of pain, suffering and tears. This doesn’t mean that God causes the pain, only that God is greater than whatever harm befalls us.

5. Because God gives us the strength to do so:

As Jesus said, “the flesh is weak” and so when we suffer we easily give in to despair and want to give up. But as Jesus goes on to say, “the Spirit is willing” (Mark 14:38). The Spirit can strengthen us to give thanks in our difficult times.

In conclusion,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

Our only solution is to rise up as a nation and present our heartaches and burdens to Christ. No political leader can do it for us, Christ is our only hope.

Happy Independence and welcome to the month of October.

Till I come your way again, stay blessed!