A US-based Nigerian Pastor, Rev Dr. Ademola Sodeinde has warned against yearly messages of hope that place undue emphasis on material prosperity and abundance.
Sodeinde gave the warning in a new year broadcast which was shared with Church Times Nigeria.
He urged believers to ponder on the words of Psalm 90 in the new year.
Sodeinde who is the Chief Servant Care Giver at the Calvary Gathering Ministry said, “It is time for us to wake up and move away from our yearly fake messages of hope that focus only on material prosperity and abundance. It is time for us to examine our ways and return to the Lord in spirit and truth.”
While noting that it is a privilege to be alive and well to give and to receive a new year message, he said, “time and changes of time are for humans.
“God is not bound by time. But he speaks at all times.”
He however suggested that believers should listen and take necessary action whenever they have the opportunity to hear from God.
Referring to Psalm 90 and the hymn of Isaac Watts, titled, Oh Lord Our help in ages past, he said, “Psalm 90 acknowledges our fragility and failures.”
Sodeinde observed that in the most recent times the world has experienced a high level of incompetence, failure, lies and deception.
“Leaders and followers in our social, political-economic, and religious lives have been a huge disappointment. We have seen the consequence of falling short of the glory of God for failing to observe God’s instruction either in its letter or spirit. God is a God of Justice. This has been affirmed again and again,” he said
Sodeinde: Ponder on Psalm 90
He advised that the concluding verses of Psalm 90 should be our watchword in the year 2022.
Sodeinde also noted that the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness instead he is patient with us not wanting anyone to perish but that all will come to repentance.
He prayed that his listeners would be sensitive to the will of God in the new year
The concluding verses of Psalm 90 starting from verse 12 reads;
- So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.
- Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
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Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil.