JEHOVAH EZER

When a Christian in Yoruba land is assisting you in some way or another (or even seeing you off after a visit) and he/she feels they've done enough or can go no further; they often say, "Ebenezer; thus far the LORD has helped me" (in the Yoruba language anyway). Hearing this several times while growing up, I always wondered, "Are you saying He can help you no further?" I mean, if He has helped you up till that point, then He can help you go even further in assisting the person or seeing them off!

As time passed, I came to realise where they got it from, but I was shocked at the stark contrast between the real meaning & the Yoruba version! What they often meant was: this is how far I can go with you. In contrast, see the bible verse here:

1 Samuel 7:12 - Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."

Ebenezer literally means "stone of the help". The stone was a memorial of thanksgiving to the LORD for the victory He gave Israel over their Philistine enemies. That same way, God is our Helper. All through the book of Psalms, David kept speaking of God as his helper & Israel's helper, asking Him to help him, thanking Him for His help. In fact, he said, "Your help has made me great" (Psalm 18:35). Through Isaiah, Jeremiah & Ezekiel, God kept speaking of how He had helped/would help His people.

When Jesus came, Himself being Jehovah Ezer (the LORD our help), He began to help people by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, delivering them from the devil who was oppressing them (Acts 10:38). The ultimate help He gave was on the cross, taking our sin & the judgment we couldn't carry (Isaiah 53). He conquered Satan for us (Hebrews 2:14), then He rose from spiritual death & received the highest name/title in all ages (Ephesians 1:21, Philippians 2:9-11). Now, all the help we need is available in His Name (Psalm 121:2). Halleluyah!

Having ascended, He not only gave us His Name for our help; He sent us another Person to take His place, One that can help us exactly as He would help us if He could stay. He sent us His precious Holy Spirit. He called Him "paraclete" (Greek) in John 14:16, meaning Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener, Intercessor, Standby and.......you guessed right, HELPER!!!

Glory to God! I've got the Helper in me now! Jehovah Ezer! He is in me! Halleluyah! I will never be helpless again in my life! My help is in the Name! My Helper is inside me!!!

When you need help, invoke the Name! Whisper it, shout it, anyway you want; but by all means, "Jesus!" When you require help, say "Holy Spirit, you're my Helper, I receive Your help right now". Then pray in tongues! Let living streams of help gush out of your belly!

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. God shall HELP her, and that right early (Psalm 46:4&5)

The Holy Ghost is the river (John 7:37&38), tongues is one of the streams (Proverbs 18:2 & Acts 2:4); you are the city of God, you are one of the many tabernacles of the Most High (1Corinthians 3:16) and your spirit is the holy place where He dwells. Do you get the picture?! Are you seeing it?! You will not be moved, you will not fall! You are helped right early (at the break of day)!

Jehovah Ezer is in you now, will you ignore Him and go from pillar to post looking for help? Will you sit on the floor & cry your eyes out because there is "nobody" to help you? Will you mourn because a physical helper has been removed from the scene & you think you are now helpless? If you do, you ignore/forsake your help. It's a choice. That doesn't change the fact that Jehovah Ezer is in you. If you know this, then you can rejoice, you can "lambano" (Greek: receive/take hold of) His help & be made great! What is your choice today?

TRIBUTE TO BAAMI

Baami (my father) was born on a Wednesday, that has nothing to do with this, but just so you know.

My first conscious memories of him include going with him to his office, playing chess together, him playing the keyboard and of course, him with a whip ("wire") in his hand & pain in my buttocks (I must have committed one of a wide range of trespasses, you take a guess).

Now, I really didn't like Baami much in my teenage years (how many guys do?), but I grew to realise how much better off my life is with him as my father. I came to certain understandings of fatherhood & sonship, and he also kind of "chilled out", so we sort of met in the middle. Today, I know without a doubt that I love him and he loves me, and that is a really big deal. It is.

Baami is 65 years old today. I know it may be a few years too early to write a biography, but hey, we can always start rehearsing.

Scripture says a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. Now, most people (including me) believe that refers to physical resources, and so it does. Yet, it is clear that a proper inheritance goes way beyond mere physical resources that perish with the use thereof. Baami is a good man in every definition of the term.

The first inheritance he gave us to use & pass to our children is the Word. He taught us every morning until we could also teach from the "Our Daily Bread" devotional. He and the rest of the family were my first audience. He made sure we were fed with the Word at home, took us to church & also gave us freedom to go to places like Happiness Club where we were fed with even more.

The second inheritance is a good name. I tell you, I have never been to a place where someone knew/discovered I'm his son and didn't speak well of him or attend to me well. Even when he made enemies by standing for the truth in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; I was never at a disadvantage for it. I applied wisdom too sha o!

The third inheritance: opportunities. He has given us opportunities in life, within his ability. I tell you, each one of his children (biological & numerous others) have good standing in life because of him. He has always encouraged us to go for the best. And he & Maami have been our cheerleading team all the way.

The fourth inheritance is the blessing. I don't know anyone who blesses better than my parents. Every morning, every birthday, every new phase & everything that looks like an opportunity to bless; they release spiritual blessings through words & the laying on of hands. I learnt from the best!

The fifth is physical wealth. If he leaves for heaven before us, he will leave his earthly wealth to his children's children, because his children will be too busy administering their own wealth to add the burden of his own! But even now that he's with us, I can testify that since my childhood, I've never known him to fail in his responsibilities, and now we can stand without support. So, he has already given us that inheritance.

I could go on & on. Baami, if you ever happen to wonder whether you're still relevant to us, to me; I want you to remember this: you are indispensable & invaluable. Thank God that He has helped you to raise us to be able to stand on our own; but even now, you remain a father. We may not need physical provision anymore, but there's so much more that you're still giving: your exemplary lifestyle (especially in generosity & fearless standing for truth), your strong support in all things, your blessing, your prayer etc. All these things are timeless, seasonless & priceless.

Reverend Professor Ifeolu Kehinde Adewumi, olowo ori Adejoke, baba Dr Tomi Imarah, Engineer Tolu Olukoga, Moneybag Ayo Adewumi ati Dr Jesutola Adewumi; father of many non-biological children spiritual & temporal, astute academic mind & CEO of Greengold Initiative, I greet you.

Most blessed of fathers are you, may you be favored by all, may you bathe your feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days (Deuteronomy 33:24&25).

And lest I forget, happy birthday. I love you Baami. Your favourite son, Ayanfe.