“The Boko Haram terrorists are not professionals. They don’t know what we know. They just rush to the battle front to attack as sheep without shepherds and we kill them in numbers.”
On April 28th, 2017, these were the words of Major-General John Enenche, the Director of Defense Information, when speaking about Boko Haram. According to Enenche, the Nigerian military has employed new military tactics to fight the Boko Haram insurgency, and have been successful in it, so far. While he did not go into detail about what those tactics were, he denied the claim that Boko Haram is getting stronger. Instead, he explained that new tactics were “drawing enemy fire,” and that “the insurgents were being killed in scores,” according to the Nigerian Tribune.
As apart of the military’s tactics against Boko Haram, they have started doing daytime patrol over the Sambisa Forest, Boko Haram’s biggest stronghold; during one of these, the Nigerian military “sighted” an “artillery piece, which was concealed under a tree” (source). Sending down airstrikes, the military was able to destroy the piece of artillery, and maybe even kill members of Boko Haram in the process.
It is no surprise that a different tactic may, or may not, yield more desirable results. Because the wiles of the enemy (physical or otherwise) are prone to change at some points, it is important to be aware of their changing tactics, and to be ready to change one’s own tactics, accordingly.
A Call for Change
It is this idea of change that Christ impressed upon me, one day. As I thought about it, the idea sounded refreshing: creating a written voice-over blog post sounded like fun, a definite idea to consider.
That initial call for a change is what led me, Annalee Hoover, the steward of Isaiah 62 Prayer Ministry, to create a video post, now available on YouTube. But when I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to create a video, I wondered what it would be about.
The Story
To fully appreciate the video, I must tell the story of where it all came from.
When the Chibok schoolgirls were taken in April of 2014, I didn’t learn about their story until two weeks later. As I found out, I experienced some of the most heart-wrenching sadness I have ever experienced. What ensued what seeking Christ diligently in prayer. One day, as I was reading the Word and seeking Christ, He led me to read Isaiah, chapter 62.
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. …I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”
(Isaiah 62:1, 6-7, NIV)
Reading through Isaiah 62, I knew what I had to do. I was going to 1) continue in prayer over and for the Chibok girls; 2) tell others about their story, and be their advocate (Proverbs 31:8); and 3) encourage others to pray about them, as well.
It is no secret that this is what ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY was created for. It will continue to go on this way. It has existed to tell others about what is happening in Northern Nigeria, so that others may knowledgeably pray for the Chibok girls, and for those stuck in the horrific nature of the Boko Haram insurgency. During the last 2 1/2 years, I have been utterly blessed to be able to steward this blog. The blog has documented, if not all of the news pertaining to this insurgency, then A LOT of it. In stewarding the blog, I have seen the soaring highs of Nigeria’s victories against Boko Haram, like the successful attack on the Sambisa Forest, Boko Haram’s stronghold; yet, I have also seen heart-rending lows, such as the use of 10 and 11 year old girls for suicide bombers. Through it all, though, I have seen one amazing thing: Christ’s faithfulness.
As I wondered what this video would be about, it hit me: Christ has been faithful, and has moved greatly! This MUST be celebrated.
Yet, at the same time, there is still much to do for the lives of the Chibok schoolgirls. 195 remain missing. Boko Haram continues to attack Nigeria sporadically, even in 2017. There is also much to be done, in the lives of those who are currently malnourished, living in a land far away from their Homes because of Boko Haram violence. Nothing can, or should, take these facts of life away.
But, in light of all that Jesus Christ has done, there is a reason for real Hope. You see, at the time of Isaiah 62 being written, Israel was about to be put into a monstrous exile. Israel would be attacked, and its inhabitants would be sent to a place far away from home. Yet, 70 some years later, the prophecy of Isaiah 62 was fulfilled: instead of “Deserted” and “Desolate,” Israel became “Hephzibah”: Once again inhabited, and “Delighted In” by their Maker.
While they are unlike Israel in that the Chibok girls, and those victims of the Boko Haram insurgency, have never done ANYTHING to deserve their captivity, a similar “impossibility” happened for Nigeria.
At one point, Boko Haram had taken over 11 towns and villages in Northern Nigeria; now, they have been reduced to sporadic attacks.
276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from Chibok, Nigeria– and as of May 1st, 2017, 81 Chibok girls have been able to flee, be found, or be rescued through negotiation from Boko Haram, with just one of those girls miraculously being Asabe Goni.
All of this points to Jesus Christ, being the God of the Impossible, able to do “impossible” things. This is the reason for, and content of, the video that has been released, today.
The Video
Though 6 1/2 minutes long, this video is meant to 1) celebrate all that Christ has done in the lives of the freed Chibok girls, refugees, and all others involved in the Boko Haram insurgency; and 2) to highlight the still very horrific ordeal many are going through, and the need for Christ to touch and move in the situations presented. (It has been separated into 5 parts, because of technical difficulties.) It is my heart to glorify Christ by proclaiming what He alone has done, while supporting and honoring the Chibok girls by keeping them close in people’s minds. Care to celebrate, and commemorate, with me?
If so, please watch, subscribe, and share the videos, presented below!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAWklOcx8bkvCeIcImO-XJKoto5681y_c
While I have taken on a new tactic, the Nigerian military’s new tactics could mean life or death for them. May their newest tactics be led of the Lord! After all, it is Him alone who causes victory or defeat (Psalm 20:7).
Do you know Jesus?
“The God of the Impossible,” Jesus Christ, has done the absolutely Impossible: lived a sinless, perfect life, died, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). But what did He do it all for? Why does Christ do such amazing things, like set people free and restore their lives?
Because it is who He is. While this might seem like a trite answer, it is true: Jesus, being a God who Loves this world, gave Himself up for it, because He wanted all of us to be with Him, for eternity.
But Christ did not just want “all of us” to know and be with Him for eternity; He wants you to know Him, and be with Him, for eternity. Because of His gift to mankind, all that merely accept Him can come to know Him personally, and will be with Him forever, in heaven.
Learn more about Jesus Christ, this amazing “God of the Impossible,” here.
Please pray…
- For the freedom of the Chibok schoolgirls. You can focus on one Chibok girl a week, if you would like, by going here.
- That Christ would take care of the needs of every malnourished child and person in Northern Nigeria, and that there would be enough aid in the region to do this.
- That the Nigerian military would continue to be successful in their fighting of Boko Haram, and that people would come to know Christ in the military.
- That this video would be used mightily by Christ, not only to bring light to the Chibok schoolgirls, but also to bring many to come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 