Lessons from the Word

In Isaiah 18, the Lord proclaimed his marvellous work through King Tirhakah or Taharka, who was a Pharoah of the Twenty Fifth Dynasty of Egypt and king of the kingdom of Kush (present day Sudan). Although Tirhakah did not worship the same god as Israel, God used him to deliver a great victory for Israel and defeat their enemies, the Assyrians. The Bible describes the Ethiopians as a 'tall and polished' people, a nation to be feared by those near and far. He brought them from beyond the Nile to intervene on Israel's behalf. We see time and time again how God used heathen kings and rulers to work in Israel's favour. Here we see that God used a skilled tribe of African warriors, feared and strategic in military might, as allies of Israel.

The point I wanted to make here is that many people today do not realise that the Bible is a history book where Africans are featured heavily. Some African people and those scattered throughout the diaspora, do not think that the Bible pertains to them, seeing it as a 'white man's religion'. The devil has deceived many black people into believing that they need to seek other religions, or African spirituality, because the Bible does not speak to them.

God chose Israel for Himself, a special people who He set apart, but they rebelled against Him, turned their back on Him and served other gods. God punished them by scattering them throughout the world, as slaves, and many curses followed them. The gospel was given to the church and spread throughout all nations, but He has not forgotten his people and God promised His people would return to the land He promised them.

As God has not forgot Israel, He will not forget you. Just as He fought for Israel, He can fight for you. He is able to use that unsaved work colleague or acquaintance to defend you and you will be amazed at what God can do. God is faithful in His Word to perform it.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him... (2 Corin 16:9)