Independence Day

In yesterday’s post, we hinted briefly on the state of things in Nigeria, at least from the economic standpoint. Truthfully, the indices look worrying and the mood of the country is a bit stale.

Today, as a country, we celebrate the 64th anniversary of the country’s independence from British Colonism, and it seems we have a lot less to celebrate.

How does the Christian – a Christian in Nigeria in particular – respond to the state of the nation in times like these? How does he think of a failing nation in the context of his faith? Does his faith have any influence on the nation and his perception of it?

(Note: I am not dealing now with civil responsibilities, but rather Christian response and responsibility.)

When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of mankind, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:8 (NASB)

God has an opinion on Nations. He is not uninterested, neither is He uninvolved. Notice with me a few things:

First; God gave the Nations their inheritance. The things that the nations possess come from the Most High. The nations can be arrogant and be hostile against God, but the lands wherein they occupy is witness of God’s involvement.

Second; The nations have been endowed by God will all that they need to mature into blossoming nations. They are not all blessed to the same way, but each have different attributes and strengths. There is, I believe, a design model to that. The intent is not to make any nation self-sufficient, but rather that in their diversity they can better appreciate the grandness of God.

Third; He has set our boundaries of the people. He is not now simply dealing with the physical/geographical boundaries (those have changed over the centuries for various reasons). What this phrase means is that the scope of a people is influenced by God, and their expansion or otherwise is sourced in Him. A people can’t be taken out of their land unless their time is up, or by the judgment of God.

[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Acts 17:26-27 (KJV)

What does this have to do with Nigeria?

Well, Everything.

Every Nigerian knows this; our land is incredibly gifted. We have all kinds of resources and as a people we are very resourceful. We are endowed with God’s inheritance. We have what we need to be a prosperous nation. And so, God is interested in our outcome.

There is, however, an ultimate goal that God has in mind in His involvement with the nations: that the nations would seek after Him. This is consistent with God – and this is true for Nigeria. God has given us too much, too many pointers to Him.

So as we celebrate this day of Independence, let’s be convinced that the plans and purposes of God preceded even the colonial masters, and that, ultimately, God’s greatness and glory will be seen even as He undertakes get returns from His heritage.

We have cause to be hopeful. God has an opinion in the outcome of nations, and our nation will surely live up to its full potential.