Do you know not everyone is supposed to hear your success story? Some should just see you grow without clue on how you made it because there are evil minds everywhere pressing attack on all sides!
A young man once told me how he deceives and destroys the lives of many ladies. According to him, being gifted academically, many students come to him for tutorials which he organises freely initially until the throng of persons became overwhelming, then he collects a little sum for the tutorials. Now his victims were ladies, especially the weak ones, needing more time for explanations in order to understand. He gets close to them, gives them more attention, they begin to trust him and then he strikes, using their weaknesses against them; while they keep compensating him with sex. So bad right?
On this day 32nd day of our Lenten observance, tension is high as the attack on Jesus grows stronger; and the Lord draws our attention to know that evil cannot succeed if He does not permit it. Nothing can evil happen to us if our hour have not come. If you want to understand this continue reading slowly…
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Jeremiah said: I hear so many disparaging me, ‘“Terror from every side!” Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All those who used to be my friends watched for my downfall, ‘Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we will master him and take our revenge!’ But the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, mastered, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs. But you, O Lord of Hosts, you who probe with justice, who scrutinise the loins and heart, let me see the vengeance you will take on them, for I have committed my cause to you. Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has delivered the soul of the needy from the hands of evil men.
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. There’s no greater distress than that coming from betrayals from trusted friends. Jeremiah experiences crises within his heart and complains to God. His friends have turned against him seeking his downfall. Jeremiah is often compared with Jesus Christ because his entire life and ministry is a prefiguration of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus also faced the same fate when the Jews wanted to stone him (Jn 10:31), and ultimately when Judas (one of his closest friends) betrayed him.
2. Are you going through through betrayals from friends who cook up allegations or frame up stories to defame and disparage you? Have they also planned to eliminate you. Fear not, none of their evil darts, no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isa 54, 17). None of their evil enchantments will succeed if the Lord does not permit. No ‘Balaam Counsel’ purported to seduce you into error will prosper!
3. If the Lord reveals enemies to you, he calls you to carefulness that you may be wise to elude all their whims and caprices the way Jesus eluded the Jews (Jn 10:31-42) and avoided his haters (John 7:3-27). You must deal with persons of this category from a distance, otherwise they swallow you up. Be wise and prayerful and watch how unforgettable disgrace become theirs.
TASK: Stay attentive watching and praying always invoking God’s presence and He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways. Pray Psalm 18 now repeating verse 28:
You Lord are my Light, my Lamp who lightens my darkness; with you I can scale every wall; with you my God I will break through every barriers in Jesus name . AMEN.
This giveaway is sponsored by COME LET’S PRAY CATHOLIC DEVOTION group on facebook to support the indefatigable fans and supporters of Rev. Fr. Simon Onyekachi Madu, OSJ as he celebrates his Priestly Ordination Anniversary (17th March) and Birthday (1st April). So this giveaway is geared to support those who wish to make their online experience profitable, and encourage young people to use the social media for something profitable and edifying.
