Greatness in the midst of lockdown – By Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

We thank God for his faithfulness and for allowing us to see this new month of May which we have proclaimed the month of Greatness.

How can Greatness be possible at a time like this; a time of fear, uncertainty, and lockdown?

Brethren, the Bible tells us in Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

In Gen 26:1-3, “And there was a famine (plague, virus, hunger, lockdown, etc) in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham, and Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell of, sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and I will bless thee;”

Isaac obeyed God and stayed in the land. (Genesis 26:6) In Genesis 26:12, “Isaac sowed in that land and received in that same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great and went forward and grew until he became very great”.

A time of famine is a time of hunger, hopelessness, and lamentation, yet Isaac during the same period became very great. How? Isaac, like many of us would have done, had sought to see the king for assistance or counsel when the famine or lockdown began to bite. The king is that man you usually run to for help but disappoints you. God, however, appeared to Isaac and said, the king cannot help you, don’t panic, don’t change location,  remain where you are, I will bless you and he obeyed.

I say therefore to you, look up to God and not man, don’t be afraid but have faith in He that created you. Do not go back to Egypt, meaning do not let present difficulties lead you into returning to your sinful past and compromise your faith. Remain  steadfast.

The key to Greatness is Hearing from God and Doing his Will. In Daniel 2:47-48″, the king answered unto Daniel, and said, “Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and Chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.”

Isaac had to sow even at a time of famine to be able to reap. Lockdown cannot be an excuse not to sow, think, imagine, create, design, write, sell, or work. You must do something and be productive. Phil 4:13. You must believe that a great door and effectual is opened unto you, even though there are many adversaries. 1 Corinth 16:9.

This month, we shall pray as the Psalmist did in Psalms 71:19-22, “Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.”

May we experience this month a great turnaround in our fortunes and may the almighty God increase our greatness and comfort us on every side in Jesus name. Amen.

Pst Osagie Ize-Iyamu
APICP, Edo Province 2, RCCG,
Soul Winners Assembly.