Psalm 71:7 ‘I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.’
DAILY READING; Mark 6:1-29; 2 Samuel 15; Daniel 9
The story of Immaculée Ilibagiza’s miraculous survival in the 1994 Rwandan genocide continues to amaze the world.
In 2019, a play based on her story, titled ‘Miracle in Rwanda’ was performed at the United Nations as part of the 25th commemoration of the Rwandan genocide.
For 91 days, as the genocide raged, Immaculée Ilibagiza stayed hidden with seven other Tutsi women in a small bathroom that belonged to Pastor Murinzi, who was a Hutu.
However, from the first day of hiding, Immaculée remained concerned that the rampaging killers could discover their hiding place. When she prayed to God to help her and show her what to do, God impressed upon her heart to ask the pastor to move a wardrobe in his bedroom against the bathroom’s door.
When she told Pastor Murinzi the idea God gave her, he refused, saying such a simple ploy couldn’t fool the hardened Hutu militia if they came searching. But she was so sure that she heard God that she knelt down and desperately begged the pastor to shift the wardrobe. He eventually agreed and pushed the big wardrobe in front of the bathroom door, hiding the door from view.
Soon after that, many Hutu killers invaded the pastor’s house in search of Tutsis. They came right into the pastor’s bedroom, lifting and overturning furniture.
Then one of them yelled to the others to move the wardrobe!
As the wardrobe banged against the door, Immaculee prayed: ‘Lord, please, You put the wardrobe there! Don’t let them move it. Save us, Lord!’
Miraculously the Hutu killers, suddenly stopped in their efforts to move the wardrobe. Finally, after searching unsuccessfully, they left the house.
Hundreds of other Hutus also came at other times to search the pastor’s house for Tutsis. Though they searched everywhere including inside the ceilings, somehow, they never thought about moving the wardrobe in the pastor’s bedroom.
After 91 days of hiding, when the genocide came to an end, the women finally escaped to freedom.
Immaculée Ilibagiza, who is today a New York Times Bestselling author and motivational speaker believes her survival was primarily due to her obedience to divine instructions.
Obedience is the key to experiencing God’s wonders. Indeed His instruction averts destruction.
God’s instructions may seem unrealistic at the moment but obedience to it will always birth miracles.
When you walk in obedience to divine instructions, you will see great manifestations of God’s power.
Our guarantee for safety in the journey of life is obedience to divine guidance and walking in line with God’s Word.
Sometimes divine instructions may not agree with our human reasoning, but obeying them is the key to our deliverance.
When Prophet Elisha asked Naaman, commander of Syria’s army to bath seven times in the Jordan river, Naaman was offended. But when he obeyed, he was healed and restored.
When there was need for wine in the wedding at Cana of Galilee, Jesus instructed that the water pots be filled with water. Though the instruction didn’t seem to make sense, Mary told the servants, ‘whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.’ [John 2:5]. Their obedience to Jesus’ instruction birthed the miracle of wine they desired.
Every act of obedience commits God’s integrity to perform.
Our obedience is what will compel divine interventions and manifestations.
Job 36:11 says: “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.”
It is our obedience that will determine the quality of our future.
Perhaps today, God has been saying something to you or given you an instruction from His Word. Whatever God tells you to do, obey promptly because that is the key to your breakthrough. Indeed Obedience results in eminence.
However, to be able to pick up divine signals we must be spiritually sensitive. A daily quiet time spent in studying the Word and praying, is one way of developing spiritual sensitivity to divine instructions.
As we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; as we acknowledge Him in all our ways, surely, He will direct our paths and turn us into living wonders among men.
PRAYER:
Lord, I receive the grace for delight-some Obedience to Your every instruction. Through Your divine guidance, Please help me to escape every path of destruction. As I obey Your Word in this season, I thank You for indeed turning me into a wonder in Jesus’ Name.
QUOTE:
There is more to you than meets the eyes. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. – WORDBITE 222.