NIFES Anchor Daily Devotional - January 1, 2023

ANCHOR (⚓) – NIFES’ Daily Devotional Date: Sunday, 1st January 2023 Topic: THE YEAR OF HOPE, RESTORATION, AND THANKSGIVING Bible Reading: Psalms 126: 1-6 (The Holy Bible, New International Version ®. Copyright © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.) Word For Today: “When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.” – Psalms 126:1 (NKJV) Inspiring Commentary:  Nigeria today is a nation that is in captivity because of the groans of poverty, insecurity, under-development, disunity, and absence of the rule of law. We were once the giant and pride of Africa; the most prosperous economy in Africa; our Naira was once higher in exchange rate to the British Pound Sterling and United States Dollar. We were ahead of India, China, and Malaysia in GDP per capita and foreign reserves over four decades ago; we once had Universities that attracted foreign Lecturers and students; etc. How are the mighty fallen! A once rich and powerful nation has become the headquarters of global poverty and can no longer protect its citizens from bandits and kidnappers. The intervention of the military into our politics and the return to democracy in 1999 have thrown up the worst of our citizens as our leaders; a band of marauders, incompetent, corrupt, religious and ethnic bigots, gang of insatiable thieves and blood-letting politicians and military officers. Like the Jews who were taken into captivity to Babylonian exile, Nigerians have been in captivity of bad leaders, and our situation seems irredeemable and hopeless as the years go by. Can the captivity of Nigeria under bad leaders be overturned? Yes! How? Because the Lord God rules in the political affairs of nations, He will overturn these situations and give power to those who genuinely will serve us in good leadership (Daniel 4:17). Our devotional text today captured the surprise, joy and thanksgiving of the Jews who returned from captivity from Babylonian exile. What God did for them was noticed abroad among other nations. They were not only delivered from captivity, their fortunes and glory as a nation was restored. So shall it be with Nigeria this year because our God takes pleasures in setting captives free from their oppressors. The 2023 General Elections will be our year of deliverance, restoration, and thanksgiving. Get ready to do your part as a good citizen by casting your vote, then wait and see God’s deliverance.  Welcome to the year 2023! Nigeria will flourish again! Happy New Year to all NIFESIANS and Nigerians! Prayer:  Everlasting God, you rule in the kingdom of men, show forth your justice and redeem Nigeria from the captivity of corrupt and ungodly leaders who have oppressed us over these decades. May our cry come unto You in Jesus name. Amen!