Reading from Exodus 14:10-12, Pastor Jimmy at the October 29 Sunday service stated that captivity can sometimes become so familiar that one does not want to leave it.
He stated this to buttress the fact that the human mind would naturally revert to the familiar, even when it is destructive, just like the Israelites did when faced with challenges in the wilderness as Moses led them out of Egypt according to God’s instruction.
“As individuals, when troubles come, we revert to the familiar and what we can control, even
when it is destructive and chaotic. But we must understand that control is an illusion; we have to learn to let go and let God,” he said.
The clergyman read Exodus 14:3-4 and Psalm 23:5 to emphasise that God does not work like
humans think or envisage, noting that trouble is sometimes a vehicle He uses to manifest His
presence. “We must understand that darkness must come so that the world can see our light.
We must begin to see darkness and chaos in a new perspective,” he said.
He added that the trouble in one’s your life is not meant to send one back to the familiar but is meant for God to show up and set one apart. “Goliath was there so that David would become a king. Remember, God makes all things work together for our good,” he stated.
He then urged the congregation from John 21:3; 11:14-15; 9:1-3; 19:28-30; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
and Matthew 4:18-20 not to worry about anything but follow Jesus always as He is the only One who can make them into whatever they desire to be according to His will.
In his words, “In the midst of the storms you are passing through, God is your refuge and fortress. Don’t let your trouble return you to your captivity. God is on the throne working for you and the world will see it. Let go and let God.”
‘The Connection’
Earlier in the service, Pastor Tolu Odukoya while speaking from Jeremiah 33:3, which is also the
promise for the week, said that God is the only connection that believers don’t need credit to
call, emphasising that the One at the other end of the call can answer any question, and open
any door.
“He is the Connection. There are times you call your parents, and they won’t pick up or be there, but you can call Jesus anytime,” she said.
She then encouraged the congregation to never stop calling Jesus in any and every situation. “No matter how small or big the situation is, call unto Jesus first. The people that call are the ones that will have access to the things that are hidden,” she noted.