“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Today service is a special one. We are here to celebrate two things. First, we are here to celebrate the joy of God’s blessings. The blessings of three children; two girls and one boy born into the families of Chianugo IBETO and Dele OLAMIJU . These children are not only a joy to these parents, but to all of us who have come to celebrate in their joy. Their birth is an inspiration not only to the parents, but also to all of us who are gathered here. In Africa, we take delight to share in the joy of our friends and neighbours. On behalf of the pastors in He’s Alive Chapel, I congratulate both families for the blessings of the Lord
Secondly, today is a day of thanksgiving to God for the gift and blessing of the womb granted to the two mothers and families. Each time children are born, it reminds us about the miracle of life and the power of God, the giver of life. Children remind us of our beginning. We were once children, and God, by his grace, has made us what we are today.
Much more than to celebrate, we are here to reflect on the obvious coincidence and symbolism which the birth of these children teach. The coincidence is a humorous one: both families have inter-tribal marriages. The one is an igbo husband married to a Yoruba wife, the other is a Yoruba husband married to an igbo lady. It is not just a mere coincidence that they are dedicating their babies the same day.
The children born to these two families, especially the twins symbolise certain lessons about life. One family had their child within one yearof marriage, the other waited for 17 solid years and 8 months before the children arrived. To the one family, they were blessed with one baby; to the second family, God rewarded them double with twins for their patience and long wait. More importantly, is that these twins, Toni and Tobi symbolise hope, patience, perseverance and faith we need in life.
Like we all know, God speaks to us from the circumstances of life. We must do two things in today’s service. First, learn the lessons of the miracle of these twins. Secondly, connect by faith to God who did the miracle and trust him for our own miracle.
What does the miracle of these twins tell us about God and his providence?
1. The fruit of the womb is a reward from God (Psalm 127:3). The Good News edition of the Bible says, “children are a gift from God.” Like we learn from the lives of Jacolb and Esau, God gives us children to nurture and raise up for him. The destiny of children is ultimately in God’s hands.
2. The writer of ECCLESIASTES 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season.” The circumstances surrounding the birth of these twins teach us that there is a season for everything and that God works with his own time table. Who would have believed that a day like this will come?
3. These circumstances of these twins teach us the benefit of patience. It is good to wait and to be patient in life. It is good to wait for the timing of the Lord. Patience is a virtue and one of the fruit of the Spirit and seven virtues mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-8.
Romans 5:3,4 says, “tribulation worketh patience, and patience produces experience and hope.” The writer of the book of Hebrews says, “We have need of patience so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).
4. No matter how long it may take, God remembers the plight of his children. He remembered Rachael after many years of barrenness and gave her JOSEPH. He remembered Hannah and rewarded her with Samuel. God remembered Sarah and blessed her with Isaac. God has remembered DELE and Franca and has blessed them with Oluwatoni and Oluwatobi (Genesis 30:22). The lesson of their experience teaches us that those who are waiting for God to visit them must not lose hope. God will remember them.
5. The situation teaches us that nothing is too hard for our God to do (Jeremiah 32:17). God who has made the heavens and the earth can do all things. Those who think our situation is beyond God had better rethink. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too hard for God to do! Your situation is not beyond God’s ability. If God can visit DELE and Franca after 17 years, then he can visit any persons waiting for His miracle and intervention.
6. These twins teach us that there are different paths of life ordained for each one of us. The blessings of God come quick and smooth for some; while for others it comes after much prayer and perseverance. It is the same God working in both situations.
7. The circumstances of these twins teach us that afflictions don’t last forever; and that we can be fruitful in affliction. Like the Psalmist says, “Weeping may endure for the night, but Joy comes in the morning.” Joy has come to the Olamijus and to all of us. Again, like Joseph who named his second son, Ephraim, “For God has caused DELE and Franca to be fruitful in the land of affliction”
As I conclude, I must congratulate DELE and Franca again for their faith, courage, and patience in sticking to one another all these years and for remaining resolute in the Lord. Your testimony is a challenge to many other saints.
