WHEN GOD SEEMS DISTANT OR SILENT

Is God really distant from his children? Or do circumstances make us believe that He is?

Even David in Psalms 83 experienced a moment he felt God was actually silent. He could no longer contain himself, he had to cry out to God for help asking why he was silent and distant from him.

First of all the word ‘seems’ means to appear like. That means it looks like but it is not what it actually is.

Let’s take Elijah as a case study.
I Kings chapter 19.

Right after chapter 18 with major victories. We see chapter 19. It’s in chapter 18 that the drought of 3 and a half years ended. Elijah put into action the word of God” I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19.
He proceeded to put the prophets of Baal in their place, fire came down.

But in chapter 19 God seems far away. So far that Elijah ad to run away, yet God was silent.

He had to run for his dear life at the threat of Jezebel. Then in verse 3, he prayed a distraught prayer.
1 Kings 19:3 KJV- he was asking God to take his life.
It was a discouraging prayer, God was nowhere near Elijah and he could feel it or so he thought.

Are there times we feel God is nowhere near us?

Yes!
In fact in this journey called life, we will experience storms, delays, over and over again. But there is a way out. Hallelujah !

Verse 4 caught my attention. With all that was going on, Elijah went to sleep.
How can one be sleeping at that point?

The bible didn’t state if the sleep was due to sheer exhaustion or God induced it. But we do know that he slept.

Recently, Mommy Bamiloye answered a question as someone wanted to know what to do when God is silent. She gave a simple, yet profound answer.
“Go to sleep”
Child of God, you’ve prayed and prayed yet God seems far, you’ve called and called, yet He’s ‘not’ answering, Could you do well to just sleep?

It’s easier said than done, I know. But things happen when godly people sleep under the Savior’s watch.
Notice I said ‘ sleep under the Savior’s watch‘.
It means that you are telling him, all of the storms, the unanswered prayers, the questions, and the confusion, HE knows all of them and you trust him to bring you the right answer. You are leaving Him to do the work alone while you relax and see the answers manifest.

But what happens when we sleep and nothing is showing forth?
I hear you ask?

Then you’re not really sleeping. Because in sleeping you become only conscious to the Savior’s touch

Before we go ahead let’s look at things that could make God seem distant.
1. Sin – Isaiah 59 vs 1–
Nothing withholds God’s hands and cause Him not to act for us than sin. If sin is the cause then deal with it, ask God for forgiveness and disentangle your self from such sin.

2. Unforgiveness
And the devil knows so he brings the hurt subtly afresh again to you and you begin to replay it.
One of the subtle issues that have robbed us today of divine help is unforgiveness. I mean that kind that says ” I’ve forgiven you” but as you walk away you mutter in your heart. ” I’ll never have anything to do with you again lai lai”. Yet each time you hear a similar situation or sees the person, the scenario comes back afresh. Let it go.

3. Worry- worry is just a mixture of faithlessness and fear.
It is putting your burdens down at the Savior’s feet then going back to check and check, after a while you pick it up and walk around with it. When you feel its weight again you bring it back to the Savior’s feet. But you never really take your eyes off it. Worry.

During my undergrad years, I experienced what I felt a silent period from God.
Here was I a teenage girl from Nigeria, far away in another land. I knew God brought me here ( testimony for another day). I was one of the best students in my secondary school days. But when I started college here I cannot seem to understand.
The first and second year was great but the third year was hard, I mean really hard. After failing my core classes, I lost my Gov’t aid. I feared that I would be kicked out. During this time, I was near depression. I would check my life over and over but everywhere was closed. Just locked. My friend stood by me, praying for me and with me, yet God was silent and very distant.
The shocking part was that I would teach my colleagues, they will pass and I will fail

As one of the praise and worship leader at church, I started to feel sad each time I climbed the pulpit to minister.
But surprisingly God always takes the glory.
But I began to worry.

I remembered one of the days, I had to lie after failing my exams, I just couldn’t bring myself to tell my classmate I had failed. Again!. I got on the bus to go back home and as I spoke with my mom, I told her what I did and I cried.
People on the bus were teary-eyed too. What could make this young girl cry so loud
And I was never a cry cry baby fa!

My family was praying, the church was praying and I was praying. I had told God I wanted to graduate with honors. But after failing so many times. I just wanted to finish and be done.
I opted to change my major to something else. Until my pastor stopped me.

He said ‘ Fortune, anything that God starts he finishes’
That hit me hard. I went back to pray and God said
” If you will learn to trust me, without alternatives, then I will show up”. I’m just paraphrasing here.

At that point, I wept and hands up. I was done worrying. I was done with depression.
This brings me to my next point.

4. No alternatives.
God will be distant when we have alternatives
Child of God hear this ”
*The Lord chooses when and how to reveal his glory,* but until then, no alternatives ”
This is you saying to God, I know there are options, I know there are alternatives but as for me, it is only You or You.
Ahhh, God honors such prayers and He moves heaven and earth to come through for you.

Back to my testimony

The weekend before our major exam we had a program at church ( I’m active with the campus ministry too). From Thursday till Sunday I was busy with the program and the exam was on Monday fa.
I read only on Sunday evening and GOD SHOWED UP’.
When the result came I not only got one of the best grades in the class, that was the beginning of my breakthroughs.
I graduated with my RN ( cum laude). BSN, out of a 4.0 CGPA. I had 3.95 CGPA.
I graduated with Summa cum laude ( Highest honors). That is first class in Nigeria

Psalm 145: 18 and 19 show us that God is not distant. No, he is not. Here’s what it says;
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

So what do I do when God is distant?
1. Check your life. – let sin not reign over your mortal bodies as becometh saints.

2. Know your rights in Christ. – sometimes the promises are not activated coz we don’t know who we are as children of God.

3. Rest in Faith ( Sleep)

4. Let your worship soar. There’s power in worship.

5. Keep your prayer altar burning

6. Know the Word, Speak the word, encourage your self in the word as David did.
” the words that I speak to you, they are Spirit and they are life”

7. Words of affirmation
SHUT THE DEVIL UP.!

8. Remain in His promise

9. Pray, Pray , Pray – the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Pray till your joy is full.

10. Don’t stay alone. Have a godly friend who can keep you accountable and you can knock on heaven’s door together. My friend was one of my strongest support. Sometimes she would just hold me and bring food for me to eat. But she was always praying.

Lastly,
When God is silent or seems distant,
He wants you to grow.
I king 19 vs 7,8.
God wanted to teach Elijah some things. After that encounter, Elijah went for 40 days till he came to Horeb. God was waiting for him there to school him, to help him grow.
So till God comes through. Grow in grace.
I’ll leave you with these verses
Psalms 16 vs 8
2 Tim. 4 vs 17.
Psalms 5 vs 12.
Don’t forget to sleep under the Savior’s watch. You are loved!

Heavenly Father we thank you. I’m excited to have a Father like You and knowledge of this swells my heart. Thank you for the Cross.
Thank you for your love.
I’ve been thinking you are distant but now I know you want me to grow You. You want me to sleep and you want me to rest in you. Today I come to you, put me in that unconscious sleep that I am only aware of your touch and power. ( tear your request) Today I tear my requests and I promise not to allow worry make me go back to pick them again. I rest in you.
I sleep, Lord, I’m sleeping in You. Thank you for hearing and answering me. In Jesus name Amen.

Photo Credit : Canva

All the medical personnel left the room soon after to give the family some privacy. The room quieted down. Ronke and Eghosa stared at the little one.
Ronke couldn’t cry. As much as she tried, no tears came but her heart felt shredded in pieces.

“Lord, why did you allow me to carry this one till term? It had been better if my hopes weren’t raised. I had dreamed of being a mother. I fantasized about holding this one. I even waited until now to see the gender of the baby.” She lamented quietly.

Even though he slay me, yet will I trust

 him.

The bible verse came back to her from the book of Job. She was reading that two days ago.

And Eghosa?

She couldn’t bear to look at Eghosa. The man has endured many things. He has been her constant support. His hopes of being a father once again dashed in pieces.

“I’m sorry” she mouthed to him without looking at him.

She felt his hands envelop hers and as it tightened she knew he was praying.

Just a week ago, she had gone with Eghosa and Dele’s family for an official party. Eghosa and Dele had been invited to speak as the only company that won the contract. She was afterward introduced to the CEO and was surprised he was Jewish.

The man carried so much grace and gentleness. He introduced them to his wife and kids. A 4 four-year-old boy and a 6-month-old baby girl. Their little baby caught Ronke’s admiration and she wasted no time in asking to hold her. As the baby laughed and cooed, she imagined a day like it with her own child or children. She asked the mother for the baby’s name.

‘Tehillah’ the mother had told her.
“What language is that?” Ronke asked. “I love the pronunciation.”
“Thank you.” The new mother replied. “It’s Hebrew, Tehillah means Praise.” She daily reminds me of God’s faithfulness. We called her Tehillah as a constant reminder of God’s love towards us.

Hmm, I love that name. Ronke gushed.

And now……,

Her expectations were cut short; her prayers left unanswered.

How would she walk around now without attracting pity from all who knew her? Just yesterday she was very pregnant and today she is childless, with very flat abdomen.

She looked up at Eghosa who held her hand. Together they formed a hold over the baby’s back as Eghosa prayed. Though his words were not very audible she knew he was praying. She also knew there is a possibility of a miracle. Suddenly the room felt charged, Eghosa began praying tongues

Ronke closed her eyes. This time her tears poured.

Even though You slay me, yet will I trust You,

For Your love is better than life
Your Love is better than life
Your Love is better than life

She moved her lips quietly repeating those words.

Suddenly, she heard a faint cry. Then another faint cry. It grew louder.
That sounded too close. Ronke thought.
Has she been too overwhelmed by the desire to hold her child that has begun to hallucinate the cry of a baby even when hers is stone-cold dead and in her arms. She smiled sarcastically to herself

Her thoughts were interrupted by another cry.

Eghosa loosened his hands from hers. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He looked ghostly like he also heard something. She moved the baby lying on her chest and realized she has been crying but the sound was muffled because her face was flat on her chest.
Ronke was still trying to come to terms with this reality when she heard Eghosa scream.

“She’s alive! She’s alive!”

He rushed to the theatre door, pushed his head halfway through the door and gave out a deafening shriek “Doctor!” He rushed back in almost immediately.

“Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Lord we give You praise.” Eghosa was jumping up and down in excitement

Ronke stared in shock. Her baby was moving and crying too. Then it suddenly hit her and she screamed the loudest “My baby is alive!”

The room was soon flooded by hospital staff and other patients or their caregivers. The baby was examined and was in perfect condition. Eghosa kept crying and so was Ronke.
Then she heard in her spirit.
TEHILLAH

I just heard the name ‘Tehillah’  Eghosa said.
Tehillah
Tehillah
Tehillah

“Me too,, I heard that too, for the Lord has given us reasons to sing. She will be a reminder of God’s faithfulness and love to us.”

Eghosa nodded in affirmation and began to sing.

I held my head in my hands
And bowed to the earth
Not in worship but in shame
For all, I have imagined to be
Were wiped away before me
As much as I tried to see
Or understand even in bits
I came to the realization that
Things were not going my way
So I came to You and brought them to You
My hurt, my shame, my pain
Seeking answers, seeking solutions
But what You gave me was more
Much more than I could imagine

Instead of giving answers you gave me Your love
Instead of giving solutions, You gave me a path
Instead of taking my pain away, You gave me healing
Without a trace or scar from my wounds
Jesus -You added double for my shame and caused me to dance
Now all I sing is nothing, just nothing BUT YOUR PRAISE

–
– TEHILLAH
I hope you enjoyed reading this short story as much as I enjoyed writing it. The bible says “ weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30 vs 5). Over and over again, we see God’s faithfulness. I see his call for us to draw near, so close to Him. His promises never go unfulfilled and His love is better than life. I pray our lives will constantly be filled with blessings and lessons that we will always have reasons to lift our voices in praise to God. I pray that TEHILLAH will give healing and give hope even to mothers waiting for the fruit of the womb and homes aching for the wine of love. May Praises never cease from our lips. In Jesus’ name, Amen. TEHILLAH.

What lessons have you learned?

I look forward to reading from you.

Remember, God’s love is better than life.

Photo Credit: Canva

Eghosa and Ronke had gone to see Dr. Ken. This will be the first time Ronke will be stepping outside the house since her last miscarriage. She felt lighter and at peace.
The meeting with Dr. Ken had gone on smoothly. Earlier he diagnosed Ronke with Endometriosis which he explained as a painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue can grow in other locations like the intestines, stomach or ovaries. Sometimes, the patient may have painful periods, excessive bleeding and infertility are also possible.

Osa and Ronke had been surprised at the Infertility part since she had conceived thrice and miscarried.

“Ectopic pregnancies may occur which is what Ronke experienced. A fetus cannot survive outside of the womb so miscarriage happened.” Dr. ken added answering their silent question.

Today, the plan was on treatment options. As Dr, Ken gave them the available options; hormonal treatments, medications and/or possible surgeries. They weighed their options, asked him questions and received answers.

They had ended the session asking Dr. Ken to give them some days to think about this and decide which route they would take.

The ride home was extremely quiet. Each with his or her own thoughts, wondering and praying. The silence was disturbed when Eghosa’s phone rang.

He looked at the caller, it was the company he had gone to submit a proposal earlier.

After confirming his identity, the caller scheduled an appointment for Eghosa to meet with them the next day.
Eghosa ended the call smiling.
“What is the good news?” Ronke asked with a quizzical look.
“You remember that company I submitted a proposal to the other day? We were awarded the contract and this time to a German investor.” Eghosa broke the news to her.
“Wow! How much are we talking about here?” Ronke was curious.
“75 million Naira!” Osa answered punctuating every word.
“This is a huge one. Hold on let me call Dele.”
He immediately dialed Dele and broke the news to him. Dele couldn’t hide his joy at the announcement. It was indeed a time of lifting for them.

As they drove into the compound, Abdul rushed over to let them know that something might be wrong with Mama Ore.
“E be like say she dey cry. I ask am wetin make I dey cry, but gaskiya I no hear am for answer.” Abdul explained in his Hausa baritone.
“It’s ok Abdul, thank you.” Eghosa said and dismissed Abdul.

They found Mama Ore, sitting on the floor. As soon as she saw them she went on her knees.

“Maami, ki lo se le?” ( Mother, what is happening?) Osa asked
“Ejo e da ri ji mi” ( she cried, pleading for forgiveness).
Ronke became afraid. What is she asking for forgiveness for?

“Are you diabolical?” Ronke asked impatiently looking scared
“Ra ra o!” she acknowledged gesticulating with her hands in the air as she continued to speak.

“Eghosa, I have always been jealous of your mom. Her marriage is still intact and her children are succeeding. My own case is different. My husband is with another woman and my children go from one trouble to another, so I vowed to interrupt your happiness. I convinced your mother to stay with Abies in the U.S. as long as possible while I plant seeds here and there that will cause the home to be in disarray before she returned. But for some days now it seems that I am not myself. I am startled each time I hear movement.”

“Hmm.” Eghosa sighed and shook his head

Strangers shall fear and run out of their hiding places.

Indeed, there’s power in prayers.
Ronke broke into tongues, speaking and declaring while Osa led Mama Ore to Christ.

He proceeded to tell Mama Ore that no seed that is contrary to God’s promises can have an effect on his life and that of his wife because their lives are hidden with Christ in God.
“Omo mi.” Mama Ore called Ronke. “Forgive me.” She pleaded. “When I could have enjoyed you and be a mother, I was busy depriving myself of every good thing. Forgive me.”
It was a reunion and a time of forgiveness.
Then she prayed over Ronke and informed them that she will be leaving the next day. Mama Ore had seen the Light.

It has been a few months since Ronke started treatment. Today, she just wasn’t herself. Unable to keep anything in her stomach she had vomited four times that day. She left the office early and sent a text to Eghosa that she’s going home.
As she drove home, a sudden realization hit her. “I have missed my period.” She muttered.
“No way! Dr. Ken said it will take a while for this treatment to be effective. Could it be?
No!” She argued with herself.
She got home and grabbed her pregnancy kit. It showed positive.
She called Eghosa and left a message for him to meet her at Dr. Ken’s.
She was confirmed pregnant and two months gone.

It was both an ecstatic and fearful news. Her previous pregnancies had not survived beyond three and a half months. They waited, they prayed. Eghosa’s mom later arrived to take care of Ronke. She waited and prayed along with them.
Every night was a time of declaration for them especially as the dreaded 3 months came by.
They decided that from the 4th month till she delivers it will be days of just praises and declarations.
Four months passed. Six. Then eight and a half months. Ronke couldn’t believe it. She fantasized about one day holding this tiny little human. A part of her and Eghosa.
She smiled as every night her husband will lay his hand on her and declare. What an advantage to have a man who knows his God.

She had gotten up to use the bathroom one night and felt wet. She walked to the toilet as fast as she could but something continued dripping down her legs as she left the bathroom.
“Huh!” Ronke sighed. “I can’t even control my own bladder anymore.”

She tore off some tissue paper so she could wipe down but the fluid was a little too thick for urine and sticky too. As she bent over, she felt a dull pain in her lower back. She straightened herself again and leaned against a wall to rest and wait out the pain. But just then, a painful cramp started that worsened as the minutes went by. She screamed for Eghosa.
Ronke was rushed to the hospital that night.

Surprisingly the birth was easy. “It is a girl.” She smiled at Eghosa who has not had a minute of sleep. He had been praying over his wife all through the labor and delivery.

I take charge as the head of this home and as a priest holding the censer of your promise and the blood of the covenant I made with Christ on the Cross of Calvary

I declare that miracle of bringing forth will be a testimony that will outlive my generation

I begin to speak into the unknown, because I have a God who specializes in the unknown

I take authority over principalities and powers as I am not ignorant of the devices of the enemy

I bring into captivity every workings of the devil and I silence every accuser

I declare that this will be my battle for praise

I burst out on every side singing nothing but praise

Lord, I invite you here, now, right away Take over!

Eghosa continued as they took the baby to clean her up, Ronke noticed the whisperings and hesitations of the midwife and doctor. A strange sad feeling hung over the atmosphere. She saw the doctor whisper something to another doctor as they examined the child.

“Can I have my baby please?” she asked no one in particular.
They turned towards her with the tiny bundle.
The baby was not moving. Her eyes were shut. No sound came from the little one.
“I’m sorry.” The doctor began. ”I’m sorry about your loss. Your baby couldn’t make it.”
“We think she might have been stillborn.” He added. “I’m sorry!”

Ronke collected the child and laid it on her chest. The word ‘stillborn’ echoed in her heart.

Eghosa heard the word ‘stillborn’ and heaven heard too.

……last episode coming up soon.

Photos: Canva

Ronke will never forget that day. She had gone to see Osa’s parents for the first time. Mama Ore, who is his mom’s eldest sister, was there. Osa’s mom had fallen in love with Ronke immediately, and on hearing, she is an orphan, drew her even closer. A type of love she had prayed for.
Ronke on the other hand was surprised yet grateful, she would go back to tell her friends that such woman still exists. Earlier, they had filled her with fears by their horrible mother-in-law’s tales.
“What if she doesn’t like you?” Nkechi her friend had asked. “You know how these mothers-in-law can be full of venom.”
“Not this one Nkechi, I have spoken with her on the phone and she is lovely.” Ronke had countered
“I asked God for a mother-in-law like Naomi. One who would take me like the child she bore. One who would draw me close and teach me things my mother would have taught me if she was alive.”

“That’s a nice prayer but my dear after I heard what my course mate’s mother-in-law did to her eh, I joined to pray that my mother-in-law would be dead by the time I marry her son.” Nkechi had said.

“Nkechi!” The other ladies chorused in shock
“What a wicked prayer.” Bisi, another friend rebuked. “In that case, your mom is on the line since you have 3 brothers?”
“God forbid! Nkechi shouted, snapping her fingers in earnest.
Ronke remembered laughing at her reaction.
“God forbid what?” When you pray for someone’s mother to die, someone else would pray the same over your mother.”
Nkechi became sober, “Honestly, I didn’t think of it that way ah. God, please forgive me.
Ronke, I key into your prayers Jare. “

“Ehen, that’s the Spirit.” Ronke had smiled. “Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

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“Babe! Babe!”
Eghosa called tapping Ronke gently.

“You were saying something.”
“Yes, the day you took me to meet your parents for the first time. Remember what Mama Ore said?”
“I wonder if she could see into the future because it’s exactly what is happening now. 3 miscarriages within 7 months after 5 years of waiting.”
“Aderonke!, what is coming out of your mouth?” Osa asked in surprise.
Something is taking hold of his wife’s mind and he needs to deal with that first.
“Sorry, but today those words came back fresh into my heart and I can’t help but wonder what Mama Ore saw in me that first time to speak into my life without any motherly love.”

Eghosa wanted to stop Ronke because he felt fear was getting a better hold of her. As he proceeded, however, there was a restraint in his spirit.
Let her speak, Listen to her, Let healing come
The words were gentle, yet firm………. Let healing come. He relaxed as he felt the Holy Spirit was in charge. He would listen and let his wife find healing.
With this assurance, he encouraged her to continue talking.
Ronke continued.
“The first meeting of mom ( referring to Osa’s mom) was heavenly. She practically lifted me off my feet.” Ronke continued, smiling as the memories came flooding back.
How could Eghosa ever forget that?
He had taken Ronke to see his mom for the first time. Dele his best friend and Bisi Ronke’s friend had accompanied them. There they met Mama Ore, Eghosa’s aunt. She came to visit too.
As soon as they got into the sitting room Eghosa’s mom called Ronke away to the kitchen.
“Thank you for agreeing to marry my special boy – my prayer machine,” she said.
Ronke smiled. “So you know that name, Ma? That’s what we called him on campus.”
Her mother-in-law laughed. “My dear, among all my children, he was the only one I thought we would have to persuade or even coax to marry. He was practically focused on God and his books. Nothing else mattered to him. When he told me about you, I was overjoyed because…”
“God has already shown you.” Eghosa finished the sentence for his mom.
The trio laughed.
“Eghosa, please leave my daughter and I alone. Go and hang out with your father, friends, or your aunt.”
Eghosa turned to his mom. “You mean Mama Ore?” he asked, making a face.
“No, thank you.” he shook his head after his mother nodded in affirmation to his question.
“I will go talk with Dad.”
Turning to Ronke, she said “Tell me about yourself.”
Ronke spoke about her childhood and losing both parents while in secondary school. She described how she was cared for by a couple who were members of her church till they were killed in an accident, and how she was taken custody of by her pastor. She talked about her salvation and how she had met Eghosa during their NYSC year.
“Oh, my child!” Her mother-in-law exclaimed gathering Ronke into her arms. “You have a mother now, and I pray that this relationship between us will be like Naomi and Ruth in the Bible times.”
Ronke was surprised. Wasn’t that what she had asked God for?
Ronke felt at home with this woman whom she can now call mom. Eghosa’s mom went ahead to explain the dynamics of marriage to Ronke.
“Honey.” Ronke called bringing Eghosa back to the present. I wish mom will come back from the U.S. already. She has stayed for more than one year with Abies and her husband (Abies is Eghosa’s younger sister residing in the US. Eghosa’s mom had gone to care for her new baby).
“I remember what mom told me that day. She said as a woman I am the gatekeeper of my home and my husband is the head. More than that as a godly man, he becomes a priest and as a priest of his home, he is a man who hears from God and God hears from him concerning issues in his life and home. He becomes a man in charge spiritually, physically and in major areas of his family life”
Ronke paused briefly and continued
“She also said as a woman, that I am the gatekeeper of my home. Everything stops with me. I determine what comes in and goes out of my home. She said I call the shots. As a gatekeeper, I determine what door gets open and how wide, but that the job of the gatekeeper is much more than that. She determines who even comes near her gate. There is no unusual loitering around the woman who understands her place as a gatekeeper. She said a gatekeeper is a dangerous woman on her knees.”
Such woman basically saturates her home, her life, her husband with the fragrance of her prayers that when perceived, it is the strong aroma of the secret place.
“As I remember her words now, I ask myself how much of a gatekeeper have I been” Ronke paused, allowing her own words time to sink in.
****************************************************************
It would have ended on a perfect note that evening but Mama Ore walked into the kitchen and on seeing mother and daughter-in-law in an intimate conversation interrupted loudly.
“Jumoke ( referring to Osa’s mom), is this the girl that Osa brought home for us to see?” She had asked slapping her hands together in a derisive way.
“This one that is so thin, you can count her bones and intestine. This one looks like something that cannot even hold a child.”
“Osa!” She called out to Eghosa. “Are you sure this one can give you a child? Think well o before you will be full of gray hairs without any children.” She concluded in yoruba.
“Sister mi!” Eghosa’s mom rebuked Mama Ore. “Please don’t talk about my daughter that way. She is my Wura, (my gold). Osa and Ronke are for signs and wonders. They will enjoy their union in marriage. They will be fruitful, and they will excel.” Eghosa’s mom had declared vehemently silencing Mama Ore for the rest of the evening.”
But that incident had left a sour taste in Ronke’s mouth even after Eghosa’s parents prayed over them and gave their blessings. Ronke could not shake Mama Ore’s words off her mind. She wondered why the woman disliked her so much.
Eghosa finally understood that a seed had been sown in the form of words over his home. It was time to change the tide. Although he had canceled Mama Ore’s words that same day, and encouraged Ronke not to take it to heart, he realized there was more to do. It was time to silence any and every tongue or occurrence that has taken hold of his home.
He turned to Ronke.
“You know I initially wanted to stop this conversation, but the Holy Spirit said to let you speak so that healing can take place. I think it is time for us to take our rightful places. You as a gatekeeper and me as the priest. However, we first have to make sure there’s no room for the devil so that the wicked one cometh and finds nothing in us.” Eghosa said and held his wife.
“We are going to take out any root of bitterness. You must forgive Mama Ore totally, and take authority over any words that have been replaced with God’s promises over our lives and home.”
“I am sorry for allowing her so much place in our home,” Eghosa turned towards his wife
As they held hands together and knelt to pray. They knew it was time to give the devil some licking of his own wounds. It was not a time to face Mama Ore or the diagnosis given to Ronke. It was time to take their rightful places as children of God and put the devil where he belongs.
Once the devil is bound, every other name fades away.
As they held their hands together, there was a shaking in the Spirit realm. Didn’t the word of God say
One shall chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight?
It was so, as the gatekeeper and priest raised their voices to the Ancient of Days.

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The house was extremely quiet for days. Yet, Mama Ore couldn’t be at peace. She felt so uneasy at every corner of the house. A sudden fear was gripping her too. Pacing up and down, there was a restlessness she couldn’t shake.
She opened her mouth to call Ronke, but the name got stuck in her mouth.
……to be continued