On Friday, January 19th, it was reported that 5 people were killed by Boko Haram, early Friday morning in Kaya village of Madagali in Adamawa state. Late Thursday night and into Friday morning, Boko Haram insurgents drove into Kaya Village, forcibly entered two homes, and killed four people, three of which were brothers. They killed another man, as he tried to rescue those who were killed.1
According to reports, insurgents looted a village clinic for medical supplies, then left the town.3 Townspeople ran for their lives; after the rampage was done, both the Nigerian military and local hunters hunted down some of the Boko Haram insurgents.
Unfortunately, contrary to what the Nigerian military has been broadcasting to the outside world, stories such as these are very prevalent in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and those places closest to Boko Haram’s hideout, the Sambisa Forest. “The recent attacks indicate the group is still able to carry out major attacks and has not been defeated despite the successes achieved by Nigerian soldiers in the war,” House Representative Adamu Kamale said on the subject. He went on to say that the terrorism in Madagali is “seriously underreported” to President Buhari, and that “The truth remains that the group is still very active in our areas.”2
These statements do not come without apparent evidence. The village of Pallam was attacked and looted as houses were set on fire, on Monday, January 15th, killing 3 people. 9 others were killed in Ngala, Borno state; and ten innocent people were killed in a suicide bombing in Maiduguri on Wednesday, January 17th, with approximately 12 others wounded.2
While Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, has claimed total victory over Boko Haram and has conceded that some suicide bombings will occur, the consistency of these attacks brings to question: What does “victorious” actually look like? Is there such a thing as being “victorious enough?” When it comes to people’s lives, the answer is always, “No.”
Because we can never obtain perfection in this life, there will always be a fight to fight. No matter how far we have come– and let us never forget how far we have come– there is always new ground to be gained. It reminds one of Joshua, conquering the Promised Land.
As evidenced by the reports spoken of, above, it does no good to be denial about the fact that we must fight in this life. Did you know that God promised Israel, in Genesis 15:18 and Joshua 1:4, the land from the Nile in Egypt to Lebanon (north to south), and everything from the Mediterrean Sea to the Euphrates River (west to east)? That is today’s current land of Israel, plus The West Bank, Gaza, all of Jordan, some of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and some of Egypt and Syria! Though God promised ALL of this land to Israel, Israel only ended up claiming a small fraction of the land God promised them.4
It’s easy to shake our heads in disbelief at this. All of this land was completely Israel’s for the taking. But isn’t this what so many Christians do, in so many ways?
- In John 10, Jesus says this about what He has given Believers:
- “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10, emphasis mine).
- And in John 14, Jesus promises to give Believers the gift of Peace:
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).
- Not only this, but the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle John, calls us “More Than Conquerors”:
- “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37, KJV, emphasis mine).
While I am not trying to advocate for “Name It and Claim It” Prosperity Theology, this fact about Israel’s history begs me to question: Are we claiming Jesus’ promises, and walking in a truly victorious life, like Jesus has given us for the taking? Too often, Christians– like me– choose to live a life of fear, of being worldly and bound to sin, or of being bound by the law. So much of the time, life can also feel so heavy that victory or progress seems impossible; but, friend, just as defeat and compromise is not what God wanted for the Israelites, this is not what Jesus wants for us! He wants to meet us exactly where we are at, comfort and free us of our bondage, and then help us to grow in our faith in Him, as HE– not us– fights (and wins!) our battles, if we only trust in Him to do so.
This side of heaven, there will always be a fight. While Christ has already won the war, He calls us to trust in Him, rest in Him, and obey Him, as He continues to fight the battles we face. Not only does Jesus ask us to trust in Him; He asks us to do our fighting, not by flesh and blood, but in the spiritual realm, through prayer. As 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”
We are in the fight of our lives: A fight for Hope, a Fight for Justice, and a Fight for Christian Unity– but supremely, we are in a fight for Love, to see lost souls come to eternal salvation in Jesus. Our spiritual armor, and our alert prayers, are indispensable tools for this fight.
As seen in the current happenings of Norther Nigeria, there is still an enemy– and the fight isn’t over. As we battle this war between darkness and light, between lies and truth, between satan’s reign and God’s will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven, may we look to Him who encourages us: Never back down, never give in to the enemy, and never give up. After all, as the lyrics of “Lions” by Skillet say, “before we face the fight, we know whose going to win.”
Watch the lyric video of “Lions” by Skillet, here!: https://youtu.be/DzjfNI2XEBs
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.“
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV, emphasis mine)
This is in tribute to the 5 people who died from Boko Haram’s attacks.
1 https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/256055-boko-haram-attacks-adamawa-town-kills-five.html; https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/boko-haram-kills-five-adamawa-state/
2 https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/256055-boko-haram-attacks-adamawa-town-kills-five.html
3 https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/boko-haram-kills-five-adamawa-state/
4 https://www.gotquestions.org/Israel-land.html
Do you know Jesus?
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
(Exodus 14:14)
With Jesus, you never, ever have to be afraid. While we face many battles and struggles in this life, it is Jesus Christ who won the ultimate war over sin and death, giving us the only way to be saved from eternal separation from Him (hell).
Because Jesus did all that was needed to save us, we truly can rest, and let Jesus’ fighting be enough for us. Learn more about this ultimate war on sin and death, and how Jesus reigns victorious over it, here!
Please pray for…
- The families of those killed in this wicked, horrible violence. Pray that they come to know Jesus through it, and are strengthened, comforted, and healed by Him!
- The Nigerian military. Please pray that ALL of them do come to know Jesus, through this war– and that they would not give up fighting against Boko Haram.
- Local hunters. Like the Nigerian military, these people (possibly apart of the Civilian Joint Task Force) are fighting and serving to abolish Boko Haram, and to defend their respective cities, towns, and villages. Please pray that these people would come to know Jesus, as well; and that they would fight, not out of evil intent or bitterness, but with a pure desire to see Peace and to protect their loved ones.
- President Muhammadu Buhari. Please pray that He would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and that He is moved by Jesus to pursue the end of Boko Haram, and the healing of its victims.
- Boko Haram members. That their eyes would be uncovered, and that they would realize the false religion that they are apart of. Pray Jesus would meet with them in real, lasting way.
Thank you for your prayers!!!
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 