Oppression Shall Cease
Henry Omotayo
Oppression Shall Cease (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
Message No. 0509 | Twitter @GodandUs |
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I shared the story before, of a man and a woman in one of the places where I worked in the past. The man was Deputy General Manager in the head office and the woman was Principal Manager in a branch. For reasons not known to most of us, the man was a pain to the woman, working against her in every way possible. The oppression was too much and too overt, more than enough for the woman to resign in protest, but she didn’t. Then, suddenly, the unthinkable happened. There was vacancy at the Executive Director (ED) level and we got to the office one day to learn that the woman had been appointed ED. What! we all asked, in disbelief, because such an appointment was completely unusual, to catapult someone six levels up, in one day, especially in the same organization. The oppressor was now required to report to the woman. You can reasonably guess what happened: the man resigned.
We’ve seen or heard stories of dictators who ruled their countries with iron hands in the past, and we know what their ends were. One of the reasons such people don’t want to leave power is that they fear the next leaders would investigate them and throw them into prisons. Things don’t usually end well for such people. The man or woman whom God cannot arrest has not been created yet. If you do not believe, ask Pharaoh, in Exodus 14. Oppression may last for a while, but freedom is coming tomorrow.
In 1 Samuel chapter 1, the Bible records that Peninnah overtly oppressed Hannah, because the latter was barren while she (Peninnah) had children. I imagine that she used a combination or arrogance, proverbial songs and open flaunting of her children, in order to make Hannah jealous, hide herself and weep. This continued for years until one day, God said Enough. When Hannah gave birth to Samuel, she prayed a prayer that is enough to teach lessons to oppressors. In 1 Samuel 2 verses 3, 4, 8 and 9, Hannah uttered:
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
From the moment Samuel was born, Peninnah’s oppressive mouth and actions ceased. God removed from her any ground for pride and arrogance. Her anchor was broken and she became an ordinary woman. Hannah went on to give birth to five other children, more than enough to permanently silence the mouth or her oppressor.
Are you standing in a position of power and are you lording it over your subordinates? I appeal to you to please give up this stance because there is no gain playing Pharaoh. God is the One who put you in that position and He expects you to use your power to the glory of His name and for the benefits of the people you lead. As much as God appointed you, He could also appoint someone else, if you fail Him. It took Nebuchadnezzar seven years to learn a lesson in humility; God forbid that any of His children will fall into the same trap.
Are you currently oppressed, as an individual, a family or a people? Consider it a phase that God will soon face out. In 1 Peter 5:10, the Bible says:
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
Based on this Word, I decree that you will soon be established. The reproach that is making your oppressor to oppress you (poverty, position, lack of opportunity, education, delay in marriage or childbearing, etc.), will soon be a thing of the past. The Lord who did it for the woman whose story I told in the opening paragraph and the same Lord who did it for Hannah, is not asleep and He hasn’t changed. Your own story will change soon. Have a wonderful week, stay safe and God bless you!
PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
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