Adventures in the Spirit

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us, He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision…” I once received a public scolding from an “intellectual” for making allusions to God, faith and spirituality in this column. In that fellow’s thinking, such “anti-intellectualism” was infradig given my stature as an analyst and commentator. I ignored the guy of course!!! “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” This column is named “Economy, Polity, Society” for good reason-man is the object and subject of society, and even though he is concerned with economics and politics, as well as social forces confronting society, he is in his essence, also a spiritual being. It is difficult for non-spiritual persons (notice I didn’t say non-religious!) to understand how vivid and tangible God’s communications with His children can be-clearer and infinitely more precise than any earthly medium or alternative altar could be, informing those who rely on Him of the thoughts and plans of men, and of matters seen and unseen! I am a fan of Malcolm Gladwell and I have been reading his newest offering “David and Goliath” in which he examines in multiple contexts how apparently weaker entities defeat their “stronger” and “bigger” rivals and how initial “disadvantages” can turn out to be beneficial. Gladwell of course finds many “intellectual” reasons why David prevailed in that epic encounter with the Philistine giant, but for me it was a much more simple matter-“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel…”. As with David, so Esther and Mordecai; Daniel; and the three Hebrew children! Of course the fate that befell Goliath was shared by Haman and the powerful people-princes, governors, captains and counselors, who conspired to throw Daniel into the lion’s den. As well as Pharaoh and his armies! Secular writers on power and politics often caution potential revolutionaries to beware not only of the kings they seek to overthrow, but often also the potential beneficiaries of their mission. I see a hint of this phenomenon in the case of Moses-“And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked that way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses.” May God save us from evil and spiteful brethren! Yet in spite of its obvious dangers, it is the duty, indeed the destiny of persons of integrity to speak truth to power and to seek to change society for better! That is what Jesus Christ, the prophets before him; and the saints and martyrs afterwards did!!! Even a little teenage girl, who probably never read the Bible, Malala, spoke against the Pakistani Taliban! However do not expect everyone to be like Christ, Elijah or Stephen! The Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Council and “religious” people never confront power-political, economic or religious!!! From the time of Christ, their “ministry” as outlined in Chapter 23 of the Book of Mathew has not changed! The real altars at which these categories worship are those of Caesar and Mammon! Many have become disillusioned and concluded that God has no role in saving Nigeria; that our easy resort to faith has become part of the problem, rather than solution; and our people instead of acting to confront societal ills, indulge in escapism of asking God to intervene. I agree. Yet I remain convinced that Nigeria’s problems are at least partly spiritual. Can you build a successful nation upon the blood of innocent people? Can a nation whose leaders indulge in unspeakable evil prosper? Can any good come out of evil covenants and spiritual bondage? Can a system founded on diabolical practices endure? Will God not look at many and say “These are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city”? Yet I believe Nigeria will become that which it could and should be, even though this may not happen in its current form. I deeply believe Nigeria will have to re-examine its structure and purpose. I speak both of our constitutional and federal structure and our spiritual essence. For those who continue to stand against Nigeria’s potential for their selfish interest, I have a retort-“This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof: but I will judge you in the border…”