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Dr Nick Ohizu-The Voice of God

Owing to the many economic and family challenges that many are facing, coupled with the impact of Covid-19. A lot of people faltered in their relationship with God. 

Some who used to go to church stopped, some stopped praying and others even went as far as seeking help from other gods.

A lot of things contribute to people forsaking God. A typical example is that of the prodigal son as stated in the following story. “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.  And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,  and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”  “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” [Lk.15.11-20 NKJV]. 

 This story reveals most of the reasons many people desert God. Circumstances and situations might  differ from one person to another but it normally happens due to the following reasons.

Disappointments: When people encounter numerous disappointments, it leads to a place where faith in God’s ability is lost. The person involved begins to doubt God’s power and existence. Gradually, satan deceives them with the conviction that God doesn’t really care and the next thing is backsliding. 

The prodigal son lost faith in the stewardship ability of his father and demanded that he releases his portion of the inheritance at once forgetting that a lot of us lack the maturity to handle big blessings.  

One thing people who are being deceived under this conviction forgets is that God knows what you need and the size you need it. He has provided and protected before. If he has not come through within our schedule, there must be a reason.

Prosperity: Chances of backsliding are high when sudden prosperity takes place than when wealth comes gradually. It is the prosperity of the son that financed his departure from the father. Had it not being for the resources the father provided, he would never have thought of leaving home. 

The moral here is for us to always remember how we were before God blessed us. The blessings of God should not be allowed to pull us away from him. When people get blessed, they find other places to spend it than in the kingdom of God. 

Many people have wrecked their lives because they forgot very fast how they were years ago. King David said, “in my prosperity I shall not be moved”[ Ps.30.6 KJV]. This is a clear proof that prosperity can move you. No matter how rich or prosperous you become tomorrow, don’t forget who blessed you.

Wrong company: Hanging out with people that don’t have a relationship with God leads to backsliding. Being equally yoked with unbelievers is a serious warning that can never be overemphasized. The people with the capacity to convince one to abstain from church or the things of God are people who have no value or understanding of the importance of godliness. “Evil communication corrupts good manners”[ 1Cor.15.33. KJV] is an uncontested truth. The prodigal son wasted his substance with wayward people and later began to suffer. Be careful of the people who are hanging around you because of your sudden prosperity. Chances are, they might be used to lure you away from God. 

I know so many people who came in contact with God’s blessings and were led astray by unbelieving friends and later had many regrets because they lost everything. Wealth might not last forever, therefore beware of the wrong crowd. The problem with wrong company does not end with choosing the wrong friends but also stretches to marrying the wrong person because your spouse has a huge influence on you. Without deep roots in God, they might lead you astray.

Wrong conclusion: Prodigal people contemplate on returning because of wrong conclusion. Most of them think that their sins are too many that God cannot forgive. Others believe they’ve gone too far to return. 

The prodigal son was an example of people who prolonged their suffering because they had a wrong perception of the God we serve. He is merciful and abundant in mercy to forgive as many that are willing to come back to him. 

The good thing about God is that he never leaves his house, we normally leave. And when we are finally ready to come back, his hands are wide open waiting to welcome us. We know where to find him. All you need to do is to come back home. To be continued.

Dr Nick Ohizu is the senior pastor of The Empowerment Ministries and The President of the Empowerment School of Wealth both located in Graniteside Harare. He is a successful entrepreneur with vast experience in leadership, mentorship, business and marriage consultancy with a mandate from God to change lives and bless people.

He can be contacted on 0772304917.