WINNER,

DON’T
QUIT!
THE TRUTH ABOUT
STRUGGLE

JOSEPH KING

i
The Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by
International Bible Society.

Copyright © 2006 JOSEPH KING

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 0-9774928-3-4

Published by:
Revelation Christ Publishing House
www.josephkingbooks.com

Cover Design: Jay Cookingham

ii
 Dedication

It is with great honor that I use this opportunity to dedicate

this book to those missionaries of our Lord in Africa who
have fallen to the hands of persecution and other mortal
tragedies in pursuit of God’s will. The invaluable example of
the Ugandan martyrs murdered by their king for refusing to
renounce their Christian faith in the 19th century and the
more recent loss of Bishop William Waqo of the Anglican
Church of Kenya involved in a fatal plane accident together
with leading government figures in pursuit of peace offers
inspiration to those in our generation to persist in winning
Africa for Jesus. In this cause, we have been shown winners
never quit.

iii
 Acknowledgements

I must of necessity applaud my Lord and tutor, Jesus Christ.

Was it not for His commanding and yet gentle leadership, I
would not even be alive to tell this story. When I almost
committed suicide on the 2nd of December 1997 because of
failure and defeat, He believed in me urging to begin all over
again. Over the years I have learnt that none should fail, quit
or despair. He made a fighter out of me that has put together
this manual on victory. To Him be the glory, honor and
power forever, and ever. Amen!

I also appreciate the strategic partnerships that He allowed

me to work with. This work is a product of these
collaborations. For one, my useful wife, Precious has been a
pillar of strength constantly reiterating the promises of God
whenever I was at difficult points during the writing of this
script. I appreciate her gentle company and firm loyalty.
There is also the mighty army at The Holy Church of Life
who believed in me as I shared with them this vision and
teachings. Many of there own personal struggles and
accomplishments offer invaluable inspiration to me as I
pastor them. I am blessed to be on there side.

Of course there are those who are outside my ministry who

nevertheless have partnered with us. They are angels of
grace. Of particular regard is the family of Professor David
and Deborah Koech who have been exceptional in their
kindness. Was it not for their generosity it is probable that
the books would have had an even more difficult journey to
African hands. Elsewhere, the marvelous benevolence of
iv
Dorothy Were (my mum) and her Irish and Scottish friends,
namely – Bride Divers, Maura O’Brien, Mrs. Peoples and
Mary Mc Andrew were the vital tools God used to enable
the books attain international publication. I pray that God
will share all good things and reward your generosity. No
victory in battle is ever possible without kindness from
loving quarters. I am glad that God positioned you in my
way.

v
 PROLOGUE

Although he is acquainted with grief and familiar with sorrow

(just the previous day his uncle had accused him of theft) yet
nothing had prepared him for this moment of reckoning: So,
gripped with fear and resigned to fate this middle-aged man
considers the on-coming disaster. A danger more severe than any
he has faced before. In fact one from which he has run away all his
adult life.

Fast approaching is an armed multitude of warriors led by his age-

old rival – his own blood brother, his twin. Neither his marriages,
his fairly large family, servants nor possessions can save him at
this critical hour. A quickly hushed up thought informs him that
perhaps they may serve to appease the anger of his adversary. So,
grudgingly he sends them ahead of him. But what if they don’t?
The reality is that in this gamble he could loose it all. His brother is
after all a ruthless tyrant with a wicked temper. And the possibility
that the wound he inflicted upon him several years ago could still
be fresh is not far fetched. To be sure, only divine intervention can
save him in this hour. And so, dejected, desperate, afraid, and in
real need of help he turns to his God.

Needless to say, the last thing he needs at this point is another

problem. He wants answers. He wants to be saved. He longs for
peace and quiet. God, on the other hand, has different things on
His Holy Mind. God knows this troubled man better than he
knows himself. He knows the man is a winner. A struggler. A
victor. And God is not about to let him miss on this. So, with
divine precision He ordains a fight. The stage is set in the night, in
the middle of nowhere. With no one to assist or even cheer either of
vi
them God shows up in equal shape, seizes his opponent, and fights
away. A surprised Jacob reflexes. He automatically assumes his
actual self and fights this unwelcome stranger. He fights back with
all he can master.

The wrangle is intense. The breathing heavy. The match is a long

stalemate. It completes the night. By morning God is accomplished
in His mission. Assured that dejection has been substituted with
defiance, fear with boldness, anxiety with resolve, He readies for
the kill: He tears a hipbone off the joint of His opponent and bids to
leave. A prevailing Jacob objects unless he is blessed. God
pronounces Jacobs victory and even changes his name to Israel.
The old identity had suggested he was a fraudster, the new one
declared he fought with God and won.

Having finished with this bout, and without pausing to relish in

his new glory, he arises to grace the next event, for better or worse.
He takes a painful step and limps. He shrugs and sighs. But with
determination this rugged adventurer faces the morrow, come
what or may. Something is different from yesterday. He knows
who he is: A WINNER from the word “GO!”

vii
Table of Contents 
THE TRUTH ABOUT STRUGGLE ........................................ i 
JOSEPH KING ......................................................................... i 
STRUGGLE FOR YOUR LIFE! ................................................. 1 
UNDERSTANDING STRUGGLE ............................................ 2 
GOD UNDERSTANDS STRUGGLE ..................................... 3 
SETTLING THE DEBATE ....................................................... 4 
THE STRUGGLE OF THE RIGHTEOUS .............................. 5 
THE BOOK ................................................................................ 7 
OMNISCIENCE AND DESTINY......................................... 11 
MANY ARE CALLED ........................................................... 13 
FEW CHOOSE ........................................................................ 14 
SEPARATION ........................................................................ 15 
COVENANT ........................................................................... 18 
VICTORY IS YOURS ............................................................. 21 
JACOB KNEW HE WAS A WINNER ................................... 23 
YOUR LIFE IS YOUR CHOICE ........................................... 25 
IDENTITY ............................................................................... 27 
THE VALUE OF A NAME ................................................... 30 
REBECCA KNEW JACOB WAS A WINNER ...................... 33 
STAKEHOLDERS .................................................................. 33 
HERO-ASSISTANTS IN THE WORD................................. 35 
ESTIMATE YOUR HELP ...................................................... 39 
BEWARE OF FAKES. ............................................................ 41 
GENUINE HELP IS AVAILABLE ....................................... 43 
OTHER BIBLICAL FATHERLESS VICTORS .................... 49 
KNOWING GOD AS FATHER ............................................ 52 
BORN TO WIN ....................................................................... 56 
WINNER, WELCOME HOME............................................. 62 
LABAN NEVER KNEW ........................................................... 64 
a
 CORRUPTING THE WINNER ............................................ 69 
WINNING THE CORRUPT ................................................. 72 
NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER ....................................... 80 
ALUTA CONTNUA (THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES).... 82 
THE STRUGGLE OF HIS WIVES ........................................ 86 
THE STRUGGLE WITH HIS CHILDREN.......................... 90 
DEAD TO LOSING ................................................................ 96 
STAY IN THE GAME: DON’T QUIT! .................................. 98 
PAY THE PRICE .................................................................. 101 
THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST ............................................. 103 
WINNING IN LOVE ........................................................... 106 
IS WINNING A GAME OF CHANCE? ............................ 109 

b
 STRUGGLE FOR YOUR LIFE!

We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8

The contemporary lesson is simple: All triumphs begin with

a trial. Today’s victors are more often than not yesterday’s
failures. It cannot be emphasized enough that the world we
live in is a harsh one (John 16:33): If we must gain, we must
pain. From the time one (or anything) is born to the end of it
there will be ups and downs, mountains and valleys, gains
and losses, advances and setbacks. The weather is bound to
change: There will be sunny days and rainy days, dry and
wet seasons. Some days will just be dull. The eloquent
philosopher, King Solomon, sums it all up when he declares
that there is a time for everything under the sun (Ecclesiastes
3:1-8).

This punctuation of life with bright and dark shades is

regulated by the constant of struggle. The reality is that
those who will fight will more than often settle the score
while those that idle by will certainly wither the fall. It is this
element that distinguishes winners from losers. In this
struggle of life winners never quit and quitters never win. This
principle is not only universal or secular. It is also divine. Its
spiritual utility in God’s purposes cannot be missed in the
very words of the Master:

1
 “From the days of John the Baptist until now
the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully
advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”(Matthew
11:12)

UNDERSTANDING STRUGGLE
And yet, few words or/and experiences bring confusion and
require clarity like “struggle”. A lot of saints loose their joy
and peace, some even their faith and love for the Lord once
they are confronted with a struggle. As a result, many saints,
and even ministers of the faith more often than not revile the
experience. Sometimes during a crisis when I have prayed
with my team I have heard one or two of them say unto the
Lord, “Master, you have not called us to struggle.” In some
cases, we have all said “Amen!” to that. I am sure you too
have done the same. In these cases we hate to struggle.

Any struggle evident in the life of a believer has often drawn

mixed or/and confusing responses from fellow believers.
Sometimes the struggle in ones life has been understood to
reveal that one is “operating in the flesh”, or “ doing
something contrary to God’s will”, or even being “rejected”
or worse still, “punished” by God. Thus, if a believer opened
a business or married or bought a car and immediately
begun to struggle the expected counsel he/she receives from
friends (remember Job) is that he /she is “paying the price”
of stepping out of God’s will or time. If one joined a ministry
or assumed a new job and had a struggle, more often than
not it is assumed that he/she was not called by God or was
not planted by the Lord in that vocation. If the struggle is of
2
a financial nature one may be arrogantly reminded, “Where
there is a vision, there ought to be a provision.” The financial
struggle is pointed out as a disqualifying factor.

GOD UNDERSTANDS STRUGGLE

And on it goes. People never quite seem to know how to

respond to others in struggle. Should they embrace them? Or,
should they avoid them? Should they join them in their struggle?
Or, should they avoid them and their struggle?

Fortunately for us, the good Lord understands struggle and

how we should respond to it. Evidence is replete all over His
word detailing the Lord’s expectations: He requires that we
identify with those victimized by circumstances. This was
His elaborate point in the story of the Good Samaritan. It
was the essence of His Mission. He forsook His royal
privileges to identify with a struggling creation (Philippians
2:6-7). And when He met lepers struggling with rejection
from their society? He broke the law: He touched them
(Matthew 8:2-3). He visited them (Luke 5:12-13). He healed
them (Mark 1:40-42).

Throughout the bible this seems to be God’s way of doing

things. In fact, in Isaiah 58 He castigates those who identify
with Him in rituals and sacrifices and yet refuse to relate
with those in struggle. Orphans and widows are clearly
portrayed as having a soft spot in the heart of God. One can
in fact say, herein lies the message of the bible. In it we are
shown a God who cares for the underprivileged. A God the

3
struggling nation of Israel counts on in battle, in exile, under
siege, as slaves, and in the wilderness. A God that never
forsakes. A God that never abandons. In His own words:

“I will never forsake you or live you till

the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:15, Deuteronomy 31:6)

That is the God we serve. The God of every struggle. No

struggle can separate you from His eternal love (Romans
8:31).

SETTLING THE DEBATE

Unfortunately, this is hardly the way of men. Most people

like it plain easy. No messes. Most hate to struggle and even
those who struggle. To be sure, most would discriminate
struggle: They can struggle for themselves and not for
others. This was the irony Jesus found among religious
leaders in His time that would rescue their cow from a pit
and care less for the healing of another individual (Matthew
12:9-12).

An argument has to be resolved at this point: Those that

claim that if God has ordained a path it will be devoid of
struggle lie from the most naïve pit of hell. Those that
promise that there will only be “peace” for the purposes of
God in ones life should find a lot of Jesus’ words quite
difficult to receive. It is He who in fact said, “I bring not
peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). It is He who
admonishes us to each carry his own cross (Matthew 10:38).

4
It is possible that those who guarantee peace would have in
fact killed the prophets. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel
were irked by these kinds of prophets (Jeremiah 14:14-16;
23:16-21; 27:14-18; Ezekiel 13:2).

The same deceptive spirit is at work in the church today.

Christians need to be careful to receive the full balance of
God’s word. Those that promise a clear path to victory
without any struggles tell a different testimony from the
Prince of Peace. The truth, on the other hand, reveals that
more often than not, righteous people, good people,
obedient servants of the Lord will struggle. They will
experience setbacks. In those difficult times precious saints
ought to remember the Masters guarantee:

In this world you will have persecution but

be of good cheer I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

THE STRUGGLE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

These immortal words of our savior echo my personal

experience since I was called into the ministry in 1986. And
in varied ways, it is also the experience of all the wonderful
saints and servants of the Lord I know. In fact the story of all
the prophets, apostles, the kings, and other scripture
heroes/heroines attests of righteous, God-called, divine
servants that struggled through while fulfilling the will of
God.

5
This book premises its teaching on the profit of struggle. It is
a clarion call to believers, Christians, societies, and all to
wake up to the challenge of life. Wake up from fear,
compromise, complaint, and excuses, and meet your
adversary eye-ball to eye-ball. You will discover that if you
looked hard enough your fear is really afraid of your
boldness. If you pushed hard enough you may topple your
trouble. God has already prepared for your victory because
He knows you are a winner just like Him.

The chief character from which I derive the lessons I

expound here knew he was destined to win. He had the win
in his heart before he got it in his hand. Right from the
womb of his mother Jacob was conceived in struggle. His
mother was barren and she struggled with the Lord for the
fruit of her womb. It seems to me that God answered her by
providing Jacob and a problem called Esau. God set the
stage for Jacob’s first struggle right in the womb of his
mother. Before his climatic wrestle with God in Genesis 32
(referred to in the prologue) Jacob struggled with his brother
right in the womb. From birth to death Jacob struggled for
his life.

Even though he was somewhat unaccomplished in the

evening of his life with only one son that had really made it,
out of a large bunch of twelve children, Jacob was not
outdone. He made the best out of a bad situation: He blessed
all his sons. He saw a powerful nation emerge from a
dysfunctional family that had brought him pain from their
deceit, violence, betrayal, and loss. Rather than be afraid for
their future he chose to believe the best for them. There is no

6
record that he left them any tangible inheritance. Perhaps we
may presume that following the famine in Canaan and
world over he had little of substance to bequeath his fairly
large family. Nonetheless, he left them something more
important, an inheritance whose legacy has survived to this
day. He left them WORDS. Words of hope. Words of
courage. Words to carry on the struggle. Words to help them
overcome. Words that carried what we call blessings. One by
one, from Reuben and Judah the eldest, to Joseph, Benjamin,
Ephraim and Manasseh, a determined veteran of struggle
spoke victory to another generation (Genesis 49).

THE BOOK

As you hold this book you hold immense value. You hold
words of blessings. Words that will uplift you. Words of
promise and future. Words that will train you in your
struggles. From the life of Jacob we learn invaluable lessons.
Lessons I have transmitted in words that will speak victory
to you and your family, your spouse, your relations, and
your community. Embrace these words. Share these words.
Use these words.

The key focus is really the struggle and its winner. Seven
dimensions inform our lessons as I urge you to struggle for
your life:

a) God knew Jacob was a winner

b) Jacob knew he was a winner
c) Rebecca knew Jacob was a winner
d) Isaac never knew Jacob was a winner
7
 e) Laban never knew Jacob was a winner
f) Aluta Continua: The struggle continues
g) Stay in the game

From these struggles you are likely to find out a lot about
winning. You will learn that quitters never win and winners
never quit. You will discover that God knows you are a
winner, that you are not alone in the struggle. God is not far
from you. On the contrary, He is with you. He is the ever-
present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). You will find
out that he has even ordained someone to support you in
your struggle. However, it is also probable that you will
meet opposition from others and possibly those closest to
you. But this does not dispute the reality, which is – you are
a winner.

Jacob’s testimony illustrates that you are a winner even

when it seems no one knows, and even when you experience
setbacks. He teaches that winning is not an event. It is the
beginning, it is the process, and it is the end. It is an attitude.
It is a belief. You have got to have it in you before you can
have it all through and all over you. If you don’t see it no
one will. Jacob’s struggles demonstrate firsthand the benefits
of endurance, resilience, determination and patience. He
shows us the virtues of prayer, faith, and covenants with
Almighty God. Truly, Jacob’s school of struggle bears the
motto: He who endures to the end will be saved! (Mark
13:13)

Beloved, everything you go through – school, family, career,

marriage, ministry, or city, nation, and neighborhood,

8
whatsoever – will ask you one question “Are you a
winner?” I believe you are. God believes you are. No looser
can get a hold of this book. Divine destiny elected you to
read a winner book because you like Jacob are a winner from
the word go to the grand finale. So, as you struggle reading
enjoy winning: I am counting on you. WINNER, DON’T
QUIT!

9
 GOD KNEW JACOB WAS A WINNER
From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far off land, a man
to fulfill my purpose. What I have planned that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Isaiah 46:11

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good

works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For
those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the
likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many
brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called,
He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God be for us, who
can be against us?
Romans 8:28

What most people never realize and usually take for granted
is that races are really not won in the end. They are
determined from the beginning. And yet the Olympian
sports fan with his holiday mood casual observations
celebrates the grand finale in total disregard of the varied
efforts of the participants before the race. True as it were that
the finish is so vital (after all it tells the last story) it is not the
only important aspect of the race. It is for this reason that
ambitious Olympians cannot just relax till the next event.

10
They will put more effort at it. They will train for the next
race in order to secure another victory. Nevertheless, it must
be pointed out that even more important than both the
process-to-victory and the event-of-victory is the decision
whether or not one will be in the next event. Without this
vital decision, the beginning, there can be no process, and no
event. Small though it may appear, relative to the climatic
euphoria associated with winning, it is nonetheless the little
hinge that opens the big door.

OMNISCIENCE AND DESTINY

It is in this regard that we must understand Jacob’s struggle

and eventual victory. The beginning was vital, so crucial to
the whole process and event(s) of his life. For Jacob’s story
begun with God. Important to note therefore is that it was
not a famous event that God employed to flag-off Jacob’s
success. Instead it was when an obscure battle raged in the
womb of a perplexed mother in Genesis 25:22 that the Lord
revealed Jacobs eventual fortune. Out of two jostling babies
the Lord, who sees the end from the beginning, saw two
warring nations and predicted that the younger would
emerge the winner.

Just how important is it that God knows? For one, you can rely
on His knowledge. After all, He is the omniscient one. And if
He knows it, that is what it is. He has the benefit of eternal
sight unlimited as it were by time dimensions. The scripture
declares that He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah
46:10). He is the alpha and the omega (Revelation 21:6). The

11
author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Moreover,
He is not a liar. There is no lie in Him. The word declares,
“Let all men be liars but let God be true” (Romans 3:4).
God’s word and knowledge is reliable. He watches over His
word to perform it (Isaiah 55:11). His knowledge is sacred
and He assures us that if it were not so He would not have told
us (John 14:1-2). It means a lot when the scriptures affirm
that God has put His word above His impeccable Name
(Psalm 138:2).

There are a lot of parallels in the scriptures to Jacob’s womb

ordination case that confirm the sanctity of God’s
knowledge. Like Jacob, Samson and Jeremiah were known
while in the wombs of their mothers and their subsequent
lives were a reflection of what the Lord had known from the
beginning (Judges 13:2-5; 1 Samuel 1:11). Similarly, before a
charismatic Jeremiah burned with God’s word, bringing
down and raising up kingdoms with his fiery sermons God
had astonished him in his youth with these revelations
(Jeremiah 1:5). God confesses to have known it all while the
prophet was still in his mother’s womb. More recently in the
New Testament, both John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ
were known while still in their mothers’ wombs (Luke 1:13-
17; 1:30-33). And the events of their lives agreed with the
words declared even before they were in the wombs of their
mothers. In the case of our Christ, God foretold his birth and
ministry more than a thousand years before His birth
(Genesis 3:15).

12
 MANY ARE CALLED

Is this preordination experience peculiar to certain biblical

characters? By all means no! God is no respecter of persons
and His divine omniscience is certainly universal in its
application. If it applied to Samson, Samuel, and others, it is
also your portion. Jesus implied this when He remarked that
of all men born of women none is greater than John the
Baptist. But he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater
than he (Luke 7:28). Are you a kingdom believer? If so, God
knew you even before you were in your mother’s womb. I
am sure it will help for you to find out what He knew. My
other book – The Value of a Name – contains information
that is expressly intended to provoke one to inquire of the
Lord as to ones identity and destiny.

I am forever grateful for all of scripture. But I must confess

to a weakness: There are portions of the word for which I
have more affection. One of my favorites is the elaboration
on destiny by the Apostle Paul in the letter to the Romans in
the twenty-ninth verse of the eighth chapter, which for your
information is not specialized to a listed category of
imminent personalities. Paul speaks for everyone when he
asserts:

Those who God predestined, He also called; those He

called, He also justified; those He justified, He
glorified.(Romans 8:29)

13
The application is universal: God foreknew everyone.
Genesis 1:26 confirms that He predestined that everyone be
conformed in the image of Christ. And that image is not a
looser image. It is one of a winner, of more than a conqueror.
God has planned and purposed for everyone to win. In
Jeremiah 29:11, God assures us of His good plans for us.
Plans to prosper us and not to bring us any harm. Victory
and prosperity is really our manifest destiny, our intended
heritage so to say. Sadly, though, few arrive at the place God
has prepared from the very beginning. Although many are
called, few are glorified (Matthew 22:14).

FEW CHOOSE

This selection is not God’s providence as we have seen.

Those that suggest that God in some way or the other has
chosen some few to be rich/successful while many to wallow
in defeat and poverty lie from hell. The reality is that men
and women opt out of Gods arrangement. This is what the
writer of Ecclesiastes means when in the twenty-ninth verse
of the seventh chapter he reminds us that although God
made man perfect, he has gone after many schemes. Many
hear Gods call but few heed to it. Several times the Lord
laments that they hear but do not understand, they see but
do not perceive (Isaiah 6:9; Luke 8:10). The Apostle John
records how even when God decided to come to His own,
they nonetheless rejected Him (John 1:12). Others kill the
message of victory. They kill the prophets (Luke 11:48). Yet
others purpose contrary to the Lord and loose (Acts 9:1-19).
This also seems to have been the fate of King Saul when he

14
chose to sacrifice rather than obey (1 Samuel 15:15-23). As a
result, he lost the throne of Israel.

Unfortunately, life is littered with too many wanna-be’s and

has-beens that loose it just because they reject Gods way.
The point they miss is that the Lord is firm on His ways and
that they are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). What many on
their way to disastrous failure regard as foolishness is in fact
the very wisdom of the Most High (1 Corinthians 1:21). And
the purpose they engage in their hearts lead to destruction
(Proverbs 14:12). So, the million-dollar question remains:
How does a God-known winner remain on the course to ultimate
victory?

SEPARATION

One of the ways God employs for a winner to remain on

course is separation: A difficult but necessary experience.
Sometimes you may have to break camp if you must
breakthrough. A careful study of Jacob reveals that it was the
lonely moments of Jacobs’s life that drew him closer to God,
and therefore his victory. It was away from his fathers
shadow, running from his brother’s anger, and missing his
mother’s counsel and compassion that God opened to him
the gates of heaven (Genesis 28:12-17). Again, it was without
the comfort of his belongings, the support of his wives,
children and servants that God appeared and wrestled with
him (Genesis 32:22-30). It seems as if God ordained Jacob’s
feet to lonely places reserved just for the two of them. And it

15
seems that these duo dates functioned as important turning
points in the patriarch’s process to victory.

It is the way of God that great winners are trained in secret.

This method can be observed in the testimony of the great
prophet Moses: God was not content to use him while he
was still confined in the palatial comfort and favor of
Pharaoh’s dynasty. As a result, the author of the book of
Hebrews tells us that Moses despised his privileges
preferring to identify with the downtrodden of the Lord
(Exodus 2:11; Hebrews 11:24-27). Nevertheless, he was
equally rejected as a leader among the Hebrews (Exodus
2:14). And so, we witness an elderly, dejected and recluse
man forgotten by both Pharaoh and his own kin
nevertheless being chosen in the wilderness by God (Exodus
3 & 4). Again, we witness how God was not satisfied to
mould a popular David. No sooner than the crowds had
finished their chants of praise for the young hero than Saul
was on his pursuit (1 Samuel 18:7-11). Alone in the
wilderness Jehovah tutored him on leadership. Many would
agree that his most inspiring psalms were authored in these
trying times. And after all, it was without a cheer that he had
learned to kill giants (1 Samuel 17:34-36).

All through the scriptures we witness heroes that God

carefully chose and processed in secret. The novel account of
Gideon is one that provides a lot of inspiration. Here was a
young man, cowardly, alone, and helpless in the face of the
adversity suffered by his people under the Midianites. All he
did was spend the day pondering and dreaming of a God
that did great things in the past. He did not even have faith

16
for his day. And yet it is while he was in his own self-
sentenced solitary confinement that God calls him to be a
leader of his people (Judges 6:11-23). For all the lessons the
scriptures provide on this experience yet no one in scripture,
and we can assume in life in general, mastered and balanced
the art of separation as well as Jesus Christ. So often our
Lord abandoned the pressing crowds for the lonely heights
of mountains and deserts where He was alone (Matthew 4:1-
11; 14:23; 17:1). The lesson cannot be overemphasized that
before He arose to the Highest Throne of Heaven and the
worship of angels and the multitudes, He endured the
loneliness of the cross (Matthew 27:46).

The point is: The further away one is from others the closer
one will be to God. Before the reward is the price. Jesus’
words educate us when He cautions us that unless a seed
falls down and abides alone, it cannot grow and bear much
fruit (John 12:24). Other spiritual generals in the scripture
elaborate this principle: Paul spent a number of years after
his conversion alone in Arabia (Galatians 3:17); Elijah was
alone at Mount Horeb when he heard the whisper (1 Kings
19:7-14); Elisha his servant was without the company of the
prophets when he got the double portion (2 Kings 2:9-15).
Contemporary world leaders of Gods people all attest to the
benefits of separation. The remarkable prophet William
Branham that carried the Lord’s healing virtue around
America and the world in unprecedented revival meetings
in his time regularly spent days and nights in lonely
mountain hideouts seeking the face of God. Similarly, the
world-healing evangelist Benny Hinn confesses to spending
times alone before ministering in any of his world-famous

17
crusade meetings. The results are consistent whether it is
biblical characters, medieval ministers or contemporary
world-famous evangelists’ separation leads to impartation,
which in turn guarantees performance, victory and
promotion.

A lot of saints like the Lord to saturate them with His

anointing and wonder why they never get filled. The answer
may well be that before being saturated with the anointing one
ought to allow to be separated by the anointing. This was the
marvelous experience the Holy Ghost shared with Jesus.
After baptizing Him in the Jordan, the scriptures say He was
compelled by the Holy Ghost to go into the wilderness.
Following which, He returned filled with power (Luke 4:1-15).

COVENANT

The other way God ensures our victory is through the

principle of covenants. He is a God of His word. The God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a covenant making and abiding
God. The English dictionary defines a covenant as a binding
agreement between two parties. Covenants are
commitments made between two or more parties. It is
possible that Jacob learned to make covenants with God
from his father Isaac who in turn learned from his father
Abraham. And with the benefit of hindsight we observe that
God honored His part of the covenant. The scriptures
declare that God loved Jacob and hated Esau. God’s love for
Jacob bound Him to the patriarch. It guaranteed His
commitment. And so we observe that at strategic times and

18
places God honored covenants Jacob made with Him. A lot
of the victories that laced the life of Jacob can be traced to the
fulfillment on God’s part of His covenant pledges.

God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). If covenant

worked for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it surely will work
for us. For one, we are the children of Abraham himself and
therefore benefactors of every covenant privilege and
blessings our God guaranteed our patriarch and his
descendants (Galatians 3:7-9). But what is even more
assuring is the fact that God is the same yesterday, today
and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is not a man that He` should
change His mind (1 Samuel 15:29). Once He has spoken His
word is sacrosanct. He watches His word and it will not
come back to Him void till it has accomplished that which it
has been sent to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). Moreover, He has
kept His word above His Name (Psalm 138:2). Believers in
this God can be rest assured that if they held onto their part
of their bargain God is more than faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).
To be sure, there is no assurance compared with blessed
assurance: It is a rock one can stand on (Psalm 18:2); a pillar
one can lean on (Psalm 18:2); a refuge for our soul, the
righteous run to it and they are safe (Psalm 18:10). It is in
this regard that King David assures us; “I was young and
now I am old but I have never seen the righteous forsaken
and their children beg for bread” (Psalm 37:25).

And yet the present day believer stands on an even more

assuring covenant than that of our patriarchs and of the
prophets. I refer to the covenant God made with His only
begotten Son Jesus the Christ (Hebrews 7:1-9; 8:6). In the

19
covenant ceremonies of our fathers they offered animals to
the Lord. Jacob is seen offering to the Lord the sacrifice of
bulls, sheep, and birds (Genesis 31:53-54). In this latter
covenant the Son of God offered His own life (John 10:15).
Contrary to some widely held views that Christ’s arrest and
crucifixion was beyond His control being as it were that He
had been betrayed and handed over to the Romans, Jesus
freely offered His life. If He had not desired to die He would
have commanded the angels to His rescue (Matthew 26:53).
He had avoided arrest before using supernatural means to
escape when it was not yet time for Him to die (Luke 4:29-
30). In other instances He simply avoided places where
death awaited Him because it was not yet time (John 7:1;
10:39-40). It must be noted however that no other individual
in history and since his death and resurrection spoke of their
impending death with the clarity of Christ. Several times He
alluded to His death (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke
18:31-34; John 12:20). Everything He said about His death
happened as He said it would happen to the extent that one
can say He willed for it to happen the way it did. A lot of the
details of His death related to scriptural prophecies made
long before He was born (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). His closest
aides discouraged Him from considering His death and He
rebuked them (Matthew 16:21-22). Others just did not
understand Him till after His death (Luke 18:34). After the
resurrection of His friend Lazarus He ponders His own
death:
“Now, my heart is troubled, and what shall
I say? “Father, save me from this hour’?
no, it was for this very reason I came to
this hour. Father, glorify your name! (John 12:27-28)

20
And yet, His death was not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
His death was the sacrificial offering that sealed His
covenant with God. That covenant, my beloved friends, was
a triad as it was made to ensure our ultimate victory. It was
a love truce in which an innocent man subjected Himself to
death, even to the cross, so that we would be guaranteed
victory in every aspect in life.

VICTORY IS YOURS

Thus said, nothing can defeat the believer if He knows and

invokes the terms of this covenant. The truth is astonishing,
too good to be true. In this covenant God made a covenant
with a looser. And while in the former covenants God made
the weak strong and the looser a winner, in the new
covenant the dynamics are modified. God actually becomes
the other party. He trades places. Instead of only making the
weak stronger, God actually made His son weaker – almost
unmentionable – so that we assume His strength. Rather
than make the looser a winner, in the new covenant God
actually weakened His Son so that we may have His victory.
That is what the apostle Paul meant when he said that Christ
became sin that we may be the very righteousness of God! (2
Corinthians 5:21) Unbelievable, yet it is the very love of God.
Surely His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9).

So beloved, do not be afraid. Your victory is secure. You are

a winner in Him. You are a champion in Him. The word
actually says we are more than conquerors in Him (Romans

21
8:37). No weapon formed against us can prosper. And any
tongue that shall speak against us in divination shall be
condemned (Isaiah 54:17). You my friend are awesome. I am
glad to be your faithful servant. Please remember me in your
kingdom. Are you feeling down and out? Alone and abandoned?
Just remember the covenant. Remember the dear price He
paid. Moreover, you are not alone because He promised, “I
will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you
always” (Matthew 28:15). And though it is true that in this
world there is no gain without pain, remember He bore the
pain. It may also be the case that in this world there is a lot
of trouble, remember He overcame the world (John 16:33).
Remember He knows who you are. You are engraved on the
palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16) and are the apple of His eye
(Zechariah 2:8). An awesome God has found common
ground with you and is mindful of you (Psalm 8:4). Most
assuredly, it is the Lords good pleasure that you may enjoy
good health and that all may go well with you, even as your
soul is getting along well (3 John 2). Mercy, peace and love
are yours in abundance (Jude 2).

22
JACOB KNEW HE WAS A WINNER

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they
comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

As a man thinks so is he.

Proverbs 23:7

Indeed the amazing wonder is that an awesome God has

found common ground with man. The first time was way
back in the beginning when He created man in His divine
image (Genesis 1:27). Perfect man is the perfect imitation of
God Almighty. In essence, man is a god (Psalm 82:6; John
19:34-36) with a free will God respects. As such God ponders
the mutual creature and so draws near those who draw near to
Him (James 4:8). He will simply not impose Himself. He may
know that you are a winner but if you refuse to know it too
there is very little even in His omnipotent power He can do
to make you the winner that you are. In the book of
Habakkuk He laments, “My people perish for lack of
knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
23
It is not enough that God knows you are a winner. You too
ought to know what He knows. Too often believers read the
promises but refuse to receive them. They hear but do not
perceive, see but do not understand (Isaiah 6:9). Sadly, just
too many miss out on what the gracious One has made so
available. One of the most tragic references to this failure on
our part is captured by the eloquent writer of the book of
Ecclesiastes when in the twenty-ninth verse of the seventh
chapter he laments, “Though God made man perfect, he has
gone after many schemes.”

Fortunately for Jacob he decided to return to the plan of

God. He embraced what God knew. Rather than just hear
and idly wait by He sought to cooperate with the word of
God. He struggled for what God had predestined. Once
having known what God knew, he was willing to go
through the valley of the shadow of death. He abandoned
his comfort zone. He bid good-bye to the familiarity of
yesterday to confront the uncertainty of his tomorrow. More
afraid of the stagnancy he suffered in his father’s house he
preferred the perils of going forward. In the depth of him
grew a restless nag that continuously bothered him to follow
the lofty claims of an invisible God. Once God has spoken,
once He has ordained, the Jacobs of this world will simply
follow.

24
 YOUR LIFE IS YOUR CHOICE

Whether or not we will follow through on what God knows

and has revealed is a matter of choice, plain and simple.
Justification is reserved for those who follow through. The
Shepherd has a table for only the sheep that will follow
through the valley of the shadow of death. Jacob knew the
repercussions of stealing Esau’s blessing. He must have
weighed the pros and cons. On the pro-side, he would have
to give up the comfort of his life with the possible risk of
loosing his very life. On the con-side, he could preserve the
status quo. He could stay in his mother’s kitchen, unknown
to his father. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak: His
spirit kicked to run but his flesh counted the cost as he
debated his mother’s urgings. In the end, he lost his life and
won.

The same dilemma dramatically confronted another

generation: The Joshua generation. Having wondered in the
scorching heat (albeit covered with the cloud of glory) of the
wilderness the children of Israel were offered their greatest
opportunity: The chance to enter the promise land. Spies
were sent to survey the land and report back to an expectant
mass of people. The majority of the spies returned with a
losers report (Numbers 13:3-20). They conclude on
impossibilities (Numbers 13:27-30). They balanced the ledger
citing the goodness but exclaiming the danger. With
persuasive maneuvers they convinced the entire mass of
Israel to backtrack on the venture. But there is another side
to the report. Two lone voices, Joshua and Caleb, speaking
with fanatic resolve urged the masses with courageous calls
25
to enter the land. They tear the garments and pronounce that
the enormity of their ability is more than suited to the task at
hand. They assure the masses that God will yield victory to
them against the giants in the land (Numbers 14:6-9). In the
end, the cowards took the day and God infuriated at their
fear and disbelief invoked a cruel judgment: None of them,
with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, would see the
Promised Land. They will all die in the wilderness
(Numbers 14:27-30).

Just too many die at the valley of indecision. Most losers can
trace their misfortune to this point in their life where they
failed to make a decision or made the wrong choice (usually
presented as the easier choice). The writer of the Proverbs
castigates importunity when he observes that the sluggard
does not plough in season so at harvest time he looks but
finds nothing (Proverbs 20:4). Again he warns that laziness
brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry
(Proverbs 19:15). In other words, one must avoid the “easy”
ways and choose the means that will make a difference in
their life. It all comes down to making the right choices.

Joshua and Caleb avoided the easy route of complaining,

blaming and murmuring and chose the means that would
make the difference for Israel. Notice that in their
convictions they did not dwell so much on the theology of
their convictions. I am convinced that there is a time after
walking the talk of faith that one is consumed by the mind of
God. At this point, the plan that rules the heart is the
purpose that prevails in heaven. Such people know they are
winners and no obstacle on their way will convince them

26
otherwise. Having embraced God’s will for their life the rest
is left to time and effort. As such, the diligent knows he is a
winner. He goes for it. On the other hand, is the sluggard
clouded in fear, inertia and defeat. And both are right: The
one that says “I can” and the one that says “I cannot.” It is all
a matter of choice. They receive their expectations according
to their faith.

IDENTITY

A comic but profound story is given in the book of Acts

concerning the seven sons of a priest called Sceva. Having
observed Paul’s ministry and his authority over demons in
the name of Jesus they sought to cast out evil spirits from a
demoniac. The demons in the man remarked, “Paul we
know and Jesus we know, but who are you?” before
thoroughly disarming the young imitators and beating them
thoroughly (Acts 19:14-16). The lesson in the story is often
missed. I do not think the essence of the account
demonstrates the knowledge of the demons or any absence
of power on the part of the imitators. Rather, the problem
was chiefly one of identity. The young men simply did not
know who they were. They had no testimony or experience.

Real winners may be known by their good scores but that is

not their sum total. The latter is where the true identity lies
while the former is a publicity façade. As such, what you
may know about the winner is only a partial reality of what
he/she may be aware concerning themselves. So while we
celebrate/envy the triumph the winner knows that his

27
victory is a process and not an event. It is this process that
defines his identity and not merely the actual event. The
sons of Sceva sought to imitate the accomplishments of Paul
and Jesus without carrying their cross. They wanted the
triumph minus the trial. In other words, they were faking.
And what is amazing is that the devil knows the real from
the fake. The Paul they sought to imitate bore both pain and
power. He had a testimony. The Jesus whose name they
invoked gave up, came down, and gave all, before He arose
in great power. Both while focusing on the end pressed
through all circumstances to ensure their victory.

It is characters like these that own to self. Job in his misery

confessed, “I know that my redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). Paul
was never shy of an introduction that included both his
esteemed position as an apostle of Christ but also the trials
of his call among the gentiles (2 Corinthians 6:3-13). And
Jesus publicly spoke of who He was (John 8:12). In my other
book, “The Value of a Name” I deal exhaustively with the
importance of ones true identity and how this facilitates
winning in life. For one, knowing ones true identity renders
a sense of freedom to an individual. It allows one to freely
unlock ones potentials and to pursue ones highest ideals. It
also enables one to be free from the trappings of public
opinion. Finding out who you are liberates one to explore
immeasurable potentials and guarantees one of divine
packages God has commissioned to ones true self. I sincerely
believe that there is a miracle with your name on it that will
only actuate when you find out who you really are.

28
Jacob learnt this in time. He saw God’s favor on him in spite
of negative events. Something profound happened when
God named him Israel, which meant he had fought with
God and won. From then own, a lone fugitive with a loser
mentality ceased to hibernate in fear and insecurities. He
became increasingly aware of the significant role God had
cut out for him. He sensed destiny and divinity had mingled
to transform him from a run away brother to a father of a
nation. It did not matter any more that Esau hated him or
that he’d been cheated by his uncle or even that his father
never cared for him. What was of concern was that he
fulfilled the will of the one who had called him. It is that
Jacob who at his deathbed sensed the grave need to anoint
his sons one by one. Unbothered by the failures of all his
children with the exception of Joseph, this veteran of
struggle saw his rebirth as a nation according to the promise
of God who had revealed to him who he was.

Its application to us today can be gathered from the theology

of Paul who was an authority in these matters. In his letter to
the saints in Rome the apostle states that though God loved
Jacob he hated Esau (Romans 9:13). In those times the
election was highly restricted. Today, we live in a period of
abounding grace – whosoever will (John 6:37). In the new
covenant you too can choose. Elect your victory. Elect your
triumph. Treasure the score in your heart and move through
the events of life assured of your glorious end. Just like in a
functioning democracy, after the election the events are
secondary. An elected leader rules through his term no
matter the events. While the events may sway public
opinion the election sustains popular rule. Let the opinions

29
of others change but keep your election. Moreover, your
identity has better possibilities under the covenant of Christ.
In Him, there is now no more condemnation for all the old
passes away and the new comes (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul
was speaking for all believers when he said that we are more
than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:31). My beloved friend,
you can be assured that in Him you can do all things as He
strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

THE VALUE OF A NAME

It is amazing that for nearly half his life, the patriarch never
really knew who he really was. The name Jacob that his
father Isaac had called him had meant he was a fluke, a liar.
It did not bear any resemblance with who God had said he
would be while he was in his mother’s womb. God had said
he would be a victor. So, for about sixty years this great
individual went about his life with a wrong identity. Not
until God fought with him and changed his name to Israel,
which meant he was a victor, did he finally come to terms
with who he really was. What is really amazing in this
account is the implicit value given to the name of a person.

What is in a name? Is there any value in it? Or, was William

Shakespeare right when he proposed that there is no value in it
cynically suggesting that a rose by any other name would still be a
rose? In my other book - The Value of a Name - I beg to
differ. I differ because there is critical evidence from the
word of God that there is value in a name and in actually
knowing who you really are. The scriptures prove this

30
consistently with the most critical reference being the
omnipotent name of Jesus as the vital name of the Messiah.
On the contrary, what the first half of Jacob’s life teaches us,
and also a significant part of the human tragedy, is a lack of
knowledge in this regard. So many live in oblivion,
marginalized because of a lack of proper understanding of
who they are or what they should do or where it ends. I
believe that when one finally finds out the truth concerning
who they are they cease to be an outcast, a spectator, or a
subject of everybody and everything. When you find out
who you really are you realize that you are a peculiar
person, uniquely designed for greatness. You realize that
you are God’s everlasting dream in eternity that takes on
reality on earth. And there need not be any difference
between what God upholds in heaven and what you
manifest on earth. Your name in heaven can be your
experience on earth.

To be sure, the value of your name is really more than just

your identity. It is not merely something by which one can
be recognized or referred to. That would be an abuse for
what God intended to be a most vital tool for the journey of
life. What must also be avoided is the exaggeration of a
name. Merely finding out your name does not guarantee a
significant difference in your life. It is for this reason that
you find people called Victor but in actual experience their
life is a long story of defeat. A name is not an end in itself; it
is a means to an end. It is a sign, a very essential one, leading
to a long-winded road of life. It is the sum total of your
genesis, destiny, purpose and life. The account begins long
before you are born and may actually conclude long after

31
you are dead. Important to note is the fact that only God
knows a names worth. He is after all the alpha and the
omega, the beginning and the end. Without Him there
would not be any identities, any names. He is the genesis,
determines the destiny, provides the purpose, and sustains
the life of all men and women. Seek to know Him, and how
He knows you and you will discover that you are really a
WINNER from the word GO!

32
REBECCA KNEW JACOB WAS A WINNER

The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make
a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18

Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is very

helpful to me in my ministry.
2 Timothy 4:12

There are no lone heroes. Everyone needs some help. It is

always interesting the way the children of this world have
employed God’s wisdom for their own ends, many times
perverting it. Almost every hero-movie features the star and
a loyal assistant, usually a lady (if the action-hero is a man).
From James Bond to Rocky Marciano the hero, however
potent, is graciously enabled by a loyal lieutenant. Short of
the sexual perversions some of these movies employ to help
their story is the invaluable lesson: Everyone (even action-
heroes) needs some help.

STAKEHOLDERS

These hero-assistants are stakeholders strategically placed to

ensure victory. In Jacob’s case, one of his chief assistants was
Rebecca his mother. And she proved vital in imparting the
necessary hope in the hero. Usually the assistant will know
something the hero or others do not know: A vital piece of

33
information. Rebecca knew Jacob’s end from the beginning.
She had the Lord’s word on it. It was she that had inquired
of the Lord concerning the jostling in her womb. It was she
who the Lord first revealed the destiny of Jacob (Genesis
25:22-23). This leakage of divine providence was God’s
ordination of Rebecca as a hero-assistant. And so, when
Isaac misfired Rebecca knew better. While Isaac was
fascinated with Esau’s athletic prowess in the wilderness
Rebecca nurtured a recluse Jacob. To be sure, Isaac was
carnal. He was only bothered by what he felt, saw, touched
and smelt. On the other hand, Rebecca was prophetic: She
knew Jacob’s future was better than the present
circumstances. Consequently, she accepted her place as the
winner’s assistant according to the future God had
predicted.

She played the vital role in getting Jacob to receive Isaac’s

blessing. Always strategically placed, she overheard Isaac in
his dying moments intend to bless Esau as heir (Genesis
27:2-5). She knew this was not the course of destiny. Fitting
her bill as assistant she encouraged Jacob to scheme for his
rightful heritage (Genesis 27:6-17). It is this effort that
resulted in Jacob being blessed instead of Esau (Genesis
27:27-30). And when the repercussions of this development
threatened the hero’s life, Rebecca secured a safe haven – her
brother Laban (Genesis 27:43-46).

Motivated by the revelations of a mighty God, Rebecca

sought every means she could figure to ensure the purpose
of God. She did not sit idly by. A cadre of struggle, she was
determined to help in every way she knew how even when

34
the realities of the day seemed to contradict God’s word.
After all, Jacob was not the favorite of his father (who was a
prophet of God). It would have made more sense if Isaac
had confirmed God’s word. Instead, Isaac named her hero
Jacob that meant a fluke, a liar and a supplanter. But Rebecca
was unshaken. She held onto the word. She was willing to
lose her marriage, risked dividing her small family, and was
actually prepared not to see Jacob for the rest of her life if it
preserved his destiny.

Consequently, we witness how Rebecca held onto the Lord’s

choice. It became her choice. She was not just one with Jacob
in the flesh they were united in the spirit. I am positive it
was her prayer that brought heaven down to a lonely and
afraid Jacob when he first reached Bethel. I can see her in the
evening of her years still praying for a Jacob she had not
seen in decades. It must have been her prayers that joined
Jacob’s faith for the opening of Rachel’s womb. Rebecca tells
you that someone is praying for you.

HERO-ASSISTANTS IN THE WORD

“Hero-assistant” is really my phrase for what the bible calls

a “help-mate”. It was God’s intention from the very
beginning that every hero is assigned a “help-mate”. Though
Adam reigned supreme on the earth the Lord observed that
it was not good for him to be alone. So He gave the man a
helper – woman. Those that claim behind every great man is
a woman can trace this wisdom to God.

35
 Consequently, one may observe that heroes throughout the
scriptures had women assistants. Abraham had Sarah,
Moses had Miriam, and Prophet Samuel owed not only his
elaborate ministry but his very life as well to a praying
mother. The role of women hero-assistants was even more
pronounced in the New Testament. The mother of Jesus is
perhaps the most celebrated case. We see her loyalty right
from the savior’s birth to His wretched death on the cross.
And just how did Jesus afford his travels? Dr. Luke reveals
in the first verse of the eighth chapter of his gospel
recordings that certain women supported the Master from
the substance of their means. Among them was another
famous hero-assistant in the person of Mary Magdalene. It is
forever to be mentioned that Mary was the first person to
really believe the oncoming sufferings of the Messiah before
His death and even demonstrated this by anointing Him
with fine perfume she had saved over a year (John 12:3).
And while the Masters friends hid themselves following His
death, again it was Mary who had the nerve and love to go
to the tomb where they had laid His body. As a result, she
delivered the first gospel after the resurrection (John 20:1-2).

Apart from women, the scriptures speak of other hero-

assistants. Notable among which are the angels of Almighty
God. Our first introduction to them is following the fall of
man when God positions angels at the east side of the
Garden of Eden to guard the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). At
this point we are made to see angels functioning as God’s
assistants. And for the most part of the word of God they
are. God has created angels specifically to minister to Him.
There are angels that are constantly before Him ministering

36
to Him in worship (Isaiah 6:2-4; Ezekiel 1:5-24; Revelation
4:8). However, angels do also serve God’s people even as
they serve the Lord. There are angels that specifically fight
for his people (Joshua 5:13-15; Isaiah 37:36). The most
notable of these is the arch-angel Michael (Daniel 10:13; Jude
9). There are angels who deliver messages of the Lord to his
people as was the case with Jacob while he laid his head at
Bethel (Genesis 28:12-14). The most notable of these is arch-
angel Gabriel (Luke 1:11-20; 26-38). Apart from fighting and
delivering messages angels can perform other tasks as well
such as serving food as was the case with Elijah (1 Kings
19:5-9) or removing obstacles as was the case in Jesus’
resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:2-3). Jesus was
indeed familiar with the ministry of angels. During his arrest
He mentioned that it was possible, if necessary, for Him to
summon 12 legions of angels to His assistance (Matthew
26:53). The point is that angels are available for the service of
God’s people. You need not be a lone hero; heaven is at your
side to back you up!

As moving as it is to consider the divine efforts at our

disposal in the person of angels however, the most
incredible assistant of God’s people is the Lord Himself. It is
amazing to observe God at the service of men. There is an
interesting reference to the Lord’s assistance given in the
account of the Exodus. Following their successful departure
from Egypt the Hebrew are challenged by the Egyptian
army which is sent to recapture them. During the
experience, the Lord’s angel that had been leading the
Hebrews together with the Lord moves from the front of the
mass of Hebrew to the back. Amazingly, the Lord follows

37
suit in a cloud (Exodus 14:19). Together with the angel, God
positioned Himself for their defense. Throughout that
journey God also provided them essential services - shelter,
warmth, food and water. Some of the names of God known
by the Hebrew relate to the services He provides men. Thus,
Jehovah-Jireh means “the Lord who provides”; Jehovah-
Nissi means “the Lord who fights our battles”; and, Jehovah-
Rapha means “the Lord our healer”. When Jesus was among
us He demonstrated God’s ministry to man in the
symbolism of washing His disciple’s feet (John 13:4-17).
Ultimately, he demonstrated God’s service to man by
offering His body as a sacrifice for the remission of our sins
(Isaiah 53).

Before He returned to be with His Father in heaven, Jesus

taught on another sense in which God would be at our
service. Speaking to His disciples He introduced the
ministry of the Holy Spirit. He mentioned that He would be
our “Helper” (John 16:7). As a helper, the Holy Spirit would
function as a counselor that would reveal God’s truth to His
people. Studying the dynamic book of Acts reveals how the
early church witnessed the incredible benefits of the Holy
Spirit’s ministry. He was present to heal when they evoked
the Name of Jesus (Acts 3:6-8). And when they were afraid,
He emboldened them so that they fearlessly ministered in
the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:31). There were even instances
when He went so far as to transport them to and from places
(Acts 8:39). The wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit is still
available for us and we suffer for nothing if we do not call
on His assistance.

38
 ESTIMATE YOUR HELP

There are times in the struggle for your life that you just
need help. Matter of fact, no one ever makes it without any
help. It is indeed so wonderful that the Almighty has
ordained precious assistants to enable us fulfill His will. We
should be able to receive this help and cooperate with the
assistants God avails. However, one must not confuse
loyalty for perfection. Evidence in the word of God
demonstrates that even those persons that God ordains to
assist may cause more harm than good. The eternal example
of Eve remains with us. Ordained by God to help man rule
the earth Eve yet played the crucial role of causing man to
lose his place on earth and in God’s plan. I am sure she
meant well when she got Adam to eat the fruit but this
loyalty was clouded by the imperfection of her counsel.

Rebecca too demonstrates the aberrations of hero-assistants.

Her loyalty to Jacob involved the hero in deceit,
manipulation and fear. She tried to get Jacob accomplish in
the flesh what God had prepared for in the spirit. Having
heard that her husband intended to bestow his last blessing
upon Esau she advised Jacob to disguise himself and
pretend to be his hairy brother. She was so eager that Jacob
gets Isaac’s blessing. Rather than involving Jacob in seeking
the face of God so that this may be done truthfully she relied
on deception. The scripture reveals that this was a
stronghold in her life, perhaps even a generation curse. Her
own brother Laban was a liar and a manipulator too. And it
followed through Jacob’s children some of who were terrible
liars. Rebecca reminds us that in spite of being loyal, hero-
39
assistants have weaknesses that may cost the purpose of
God.

Other hero-assistants in the bible demonstrate this dilemma.

Sarah convinced Abraham to lie with her maid in a bid to
fulfill God’s promise (Genesis 16:1). The result was a
problem called Ishmael. David’s wife Michal who was useful
in securing his relation with her father Saul later on
criticized David for dancing in the spirit (1 Samuel 19:11).
David was a man with loyal but problem – ridden assistants.
2 Samuel 4 details a highly dramatic story of his assistants
murdering one of David’s enemies against his will. In verse
39 in reference to what his angry assistants had done he
laments: “… though I am the anointed King, I am weak, and
these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me”.

In this case, David suffered the result of failing to correctly

estimate the value of his assistants. Fraternizing with
assistants must be carefully done. Short of this indiscipline
coupled with loyalty is likely to claim the ranks in David’s
reign. We observe how this weakness showed up in his
family. His own son Absalom who David feared to
discipline later on became disloyal and even overthrew him.
Jesus must have had His estimations done when at the
wedding at Cana He reminded His mother that the time was
not right. Later on when she sought to get Him out of the
meeting he placed her in proper perspective affirming that
his brothers, sisters and mother are those who hear and obey
His word. (Mark 3: 34-35). And when a fiercely loyal Peter
rigorously objected to the talk of his death, an audacious
Jesus responded in a most disciplining manner – “Satan get

40
behind me” (Matthew 16: 23). In receiving the help, we must
measure its value and continue to “test every spirit”.

BEWARE OF FAKES.

By now you are aware that the mission is not always easy.
And the devil knows it. It is after all his work to make it as
difficult as he possibly can. One means he employs is
providing fake Rebecca’s, fake assistants. It is one thing for
Rebecca to be imperfect. Dealing with a fake Rebecca is quite
another thing altogether. They are two different people. For
all the inadequacies of Peter and the disciples (many times
the Lord wondered at their little faith) they did not measure
to the evil of Judas Iscariot. Among them, yet He was never
one of them. His mission was an assignment from hell. Fake
assistants are dream – killers. They are children of perdition.
They will lie and wait, pretend and even help till they bury
the mission. Delilah is a good example (Judges 16:21). They
will always provide seemingly more satisfactory than the
others. Hagar is another: They will even serve you while
carefully dropping words of doubt and fear in your life
(Genesis 16:1-4). And then, they will be so close as to steal
your miracle. Were it not for mercy and God’s grace, Sarah
had literally handed over her promise to a fake assistant.
Ultimately, they are disloyal. You shall know them by their
fruits. Judas was always stealing from the moneybag before
he betrayed the Savior.

However, “beware” must not be mistaken for “be afraid”.

We are more than conquerors through Christ who

41
strengthens us (Romans 8:37). As devious as the fake
assistants may be they are limited in their ability.
Remember, their father is the devil an already defeated
person. Look at the end of Judas. Jesus pitied him saying, “It
were better he had never been born” (Mark 14:21). Would
have been better for whom? The Church? No. The church
grew stronger in spite of his mission. And His absence was
so quickly resolved. Better for Christ? No: It was appointed
for Him to die for the redemption of man. With Judas or
without him, the Lord was prepared to die. It would have
been better for Judas because He will forever suffer the
shame, the guilt, and the pain of betraying the Master.

Jesus was not afraid of Judas, He was aware. Sometimes the

Lord allows them to inhabit our surrounding manifesting
His glory. However, we must know when they should leave
because if they don’t we will. Samson paid the price for
failing to dismiss Delilah even after several warning of her
intentions. A good indicator of this turning point is when
your mistake begins to mock your miracle. When what has
been disguised as loyal begins to despise the mission bid it
good-bye. The day Sarah found Ishmael mocking her
miracle – Isaac – she dismissed her mistake, Hagai (Genesis
21: 8). On the other hand, God is able to turn what was
meant for evil to good as the case of David and Absalom
demonstrates (2 Samuel 15-18). Absalom was a fake and
David spared him because familial ties. His intentions to
remove his father from the throne were known and reported
to David. He pretended to provide counsel and care to the
grievances of the children of Israel yet he used this means to
depopularise his father. In spite of several warning and

42
perhaps for very understandable reasons, David waited till
Absalom assumed his ambitions. Even then David was at a
loss on how to respond.

The truth of the matter is that dealing with fake assistants is

not always easy that is why they stay as long as they usually
do. In the end, the Lord fought for David and smote
Absalom even though David still wanted to preserve him.
Eventually, the King was restored to his throne. To be sure,
good will more often than not triumph over evil. The word
of the Lord sums up the plot when it says “Do not lie in wait
like an outlaw against a righteous man’s house, do not raid
his dwelling place; for though a righteous man falls seven
times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by
calamity (Proverbs 24: 15-16)”. Take heart the fake assistant
may even have his way but it is limited to a season. After
which he /she must face destruction. Ultimately, every
winner needs to know that “There is no wisdom, no insight,
no plan that can succeed against the Lord” (Proverbs 21: 30.)

GENUINE HELP IS AVAILABLE

Just the other day, I was musing with my lovely and useful
wife, Precious, how difficult it is to find genuine help
nowadays. My concern was the result of serving the Lord
with an inconsistent set of ministers. In just three years of
ministry I had seen five different sets and I was getting
rather weary. I wondered why it was difficult for my
ministry to stabilize with a consistent set of zealous, focused
and humble assistants. At the time, it seemed impossible

43
however much I tried to realize my desire. Fortunately,
Precious was not sharing in my despair. She quickly put my
concern in its right perspective citing that I was biased in my
focus. Accordingly, I was only concentrating on the help that
had failed me and was not considering the one that had
stood by me. Unfortunately, quite a lot of people are like me
in this regard. We spend a lot more time mourning over
what has not worked than on what has worked, over what
we lost than what we have.

As the case of Jacob demonstrates, genuine help is always

available. You need not be alone or think there is no one on
your side. As long as God has called you, take it for granted,
He has ordained sufficient assistance for you. Important to
realize is the fact that God has the highest stake on your life
and endeavors. Consequently, you are His business. Just
when Jacob thought he was alone, far from the help of his
caring mother, God opened the gates of heaven and proved
that He was with the patriarch. The rest of his life proved as
much. More so, long after Jacob had died, God continued to
identify with his children and grand children for many
generations even to this day. Such is the faithfulness of God
and the availability of genuine help.

When you see things in this perspective you can not be

discouraged. Think about it: You are never alone. At your
disposal are a wide range of assistants - some human, some
immortal; some weak, some strong. Some may seek to bring
your downfall or may unknowingly work against your
purpose. And yet, some are entirely perfect and if you pay
attention to them you will end up far much better than you

44
set out to be. If the truth is told, the good assistants are
overwhelmingly more available than the bad ones. Genuine
help, my friend, need not be a myth. It is a divine reality
which is so available. Rather than despair in the face of any
setback, lean on God and find a friend that is closer than a
brother. In Him you will discover so many others He has
positioned just to help you keep going. Go on Winner!

45
 ISAAC DID NOT KNOW
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to
your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.
John 5:20.

"Part therapist, part consultant, part motivational expert, part

professional organizer, part friend, part nag -- the personal coach
seeks to do for your life what a personal trainer does for your
body." -- Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune

Victories always conceal a lot of issues that the victors have

to endure in the course of their struggle. Whilst friends and
strangers alike may herald the climatic triumphs of a victor
the course is often a lonelier endeavor. Even the most
popular champions will confess to cases of being doubted.
To be sure, most underdogs are generally doubted by
observers including those close to them and are only
accepted as winners when they prove their worth. However,
if there is anyone whose opinion the contender will find
unwavering it will be the coach. The ideal coach will even
have more faith in the outcome of the struggle than the
struggler himself. Always a patron, a father figure, the coach
prepares his student for nothing less than victory. Needless
to say, every champion needs a good coach, a patron that
will guide him/her through the trials and preparations
necessary for victory. Without one, the possibilities of
victory are dimmed and the pathway to victory an even
lonelier route. Unfortunately, this is the trial some victors
have to contend with. Quite a number of young men and

46
women are dealing with this grave issue because of the
degenerating loss of fatherhood, not only in families but also
in the church, institutions and in nations as a whole. How
does one make it through the vagaries of life to the
momentous times of victory without the confident
assurances and the excellent trainings of a seasoned patron?

The accounts of Jacob tell us it is possible. It may be lonelier

or/and difficult, and the journey may even be longer than
necessary, but it is possible. It is difficult to figure why Isaac
never saw what God had seen from the very beginning
regarding Jacob. Perhaps it was the rigid adherence to a
tradition that saw the first-born sons in his times as the
natural heirs. Could it have been that this man of God was
so encouraged in his favoring of Esau because of the latter’s
prowess in the wilderness? Or, was it the sin of his own
father Abraham that had caught up with him which had led
the former to beget Ishmael and not wait for the son of
promise? It is amazing that Isaac never sought to know from
God concerning the twins and yet from their very beginning
God had loved one and hated the other (see, Genesis 25:23 &
Malachi 1:2-3). How could this patriarch of our faith have
overlooked the opinion of God regarding his family?

Whatever the reasons, Isaac’s understanding of his son’s

(both their identity and destiny) was carnal. As a result, he
misfired in his attention to Esau. He spent more time
propping, training and encouraging him while he ignored
the son of promise. Relegated to his mother’s kitchen Jacob
lacked the assuring guidance of a father figure. He had no
coach to take him through the motions and principles

47
needed to make it to victory. Part of the consequence of this
omission was that for the most part while in his father’s
house Jacob received assistant guidance rather than
professional assistance. He relied more on his mother and her
own inferior perceptions of how to realize the promises of
God. And as we have seen, there were considerable mistakes
that he suffered as a result. In the end, he had to endure a
rather long approach to the victory God had prepared for
him. It is possible that had Isaac known what God and
Rachel knew Jacob would not have suffered as much as he
did to overcome the tests in his life.

To be sure, Jacob’s life is a classic lesson on how to cope with

the trials of life without the benefit of a father figure. He
proves that even without the assuring indulgencies of a
patron God is still able to make a way where there seemed to
be no way. Matter of fact, as in Jacob’s case God became his
Father. And the absence of his own father made his
dependence on God even more critical. Running away from
the wrath of his brother brought Jacob to points far away
from even his mother. He found himself in places he did not
know and afraid for his unpredictable future. Moments like
those brought God closer to him. At Bethel, he witnessed a
staircase of angels descend and ascend on him. Fortunately,
he responded positively making covenant with God
(Genesis 28:10-22). For the rest of his life, Jacob learned to
have God as Father, patron and coach. What he missed from
the flesh he got in the spirit.

48
 OTHER BIBLICAL FATHERLESS VICTORS

The bible is laced with several other accounts of fatherless

victors. Men and women who had to endure the lonely loss
of a patron figure that would guide them in the difficult
paths to victory. One remarkable case is the very promising
son of Jacob himself, Joseph. Although loved tremendously
by his father (in a sense one may say Jacob avoided the sin of
his father in at least recognizing the favor of God upon
Joseph and responding to it) yet through situations beyond
control Joseph lost the benefit of patron guidance when his
jealous and wicked brothers sold him as a slave to Egypt.
There, away from the patronage and love he had from his
father, God assumed the position of coach and patron to the
young man. Amazingly, against very serious odds God was
able to see Joseph from the lowest pits of failure and defeat
to ensure his place in the highest positions of power. The
trying-to-triumphant accounts of Joseph provide yet another
classic example of how one can make it without an earthly
father figure (Genesis 37:2-36, 39 & 40).

Another moving account is the one of David son of Jesse.

Like Jacob, David was neglected while he lived in his
father’s house. Although he tended the family’s sheep he
was never regarded seriously as a son in the house of Jesse.
He did not have the favor of his father. Instead Jesse devoted
himself to coaching David’s brothers to victory while the
shepherd boy relied on the leadings of Jehovah. God became
David’s Father. In Psalms 23 David reveals the variant roles
as Father the Lord played in his life. He saw the Lord as
leader, provider, protector, healer, comforter, inspiration
49
and restorer. And the battle against Goliath demonstrated
which of the two fathers had done a better job. It is quite
revealing as we observe Eliab, David’s elder brother that
enjoyed most favor with

Jesse, join the ranks of cowards that were terrified by the

ranting and empty boasts of the giant Philistine Goliath.
That David, without any prior trainings from an earthly
father was nevertheless able to stand against the Philistine
fearlessly tells how much He had learned from God. David’s
story ought to encourage every one the great profits of
relying on God as Father (1 Samuel 17).

Sometimes the alternative to an active and compassionate

father is simply a father figure that substitutes ones actual
father. In some cultures, the term employed for this kind of
person is godfather. In spite of David lacking favor in his
father’s house he found favor with Saul, the King of Israel,
and his household. In fact, after the battle with the
Philistines Saul took on David as his own son and it was
during this period that David was highly promoted in the
army of Israel. He even got so intimately acquainted with
Saul’s intended heir to the throne, Jonathan, as well as
marrying one of Saul’s daughters, Michal. For lack of a
better word Saul was what we may describe as David’s
godfather. And in many regards, David was grateful for this
favor from the king of Israel. He performed all kinds of roles
just to appease Saul’s often-shifting requirements. When
Saul needed music David would be available. When he
desired victory in the battlefield David was still available.
Ironically, Saul misinterpreted David’s persistent loyalty as

50
an ambitious attempt to steal the throne of Israel. Soon he
became envious of his own subject and sought to kill him.
That is where his role as David’s patron ended. Once again,
David was fatherless from a carnal viewpoint. Once again he
had to rely on God as his Father. A look at most of the
psalms David wrote while hiding from Saul reveals the
profound extent David assumed in depending on God as his
refuge, shelter and strength. The intimate relation David had
with God as Father is not only well documented in the
Psalms but it so impressed God Himself. Referring to
David’s devotions, Jesus remarked that David had a heart after
God (Acts 13:22). And it must be told that God did not
disappoint. Every covenant promise God made with him he
actually brought to pass. In the end, of the entire three –
father, godfather and Father – the last relation proved most
vital to David (1 Samuel 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26).

But perhaps the greatest account of complete submission

and reliance on God, as Father, in spite of the presence of an
earthly father is the case of Jesus Christ. Although it had
been arranged for Him to have an earthly father, Joseph,
there is very little evidence of Jesus’ reliance on him. In fact
the accounts that reveal His dependence on His earthly
father in His infant age as a child were really accounts in
which even Joseph himself was depending on God as Father.
When Herod sought to kill the baby boy Joseph was
constantly ministered to by angels on what to do and where
to hide and even on when to come from hiding (Matthew
2:13). Later on in the life of Jesus, we see His preference of
the two. At the early age of twelve, Jesus was already
conscious of the need to serve and depend on His Father in

51
heaven so much that He was willing to do it at the expense
of loosing His earthly father. When He told His concerned
parents who had lost Him and had desperately been looking
for Him that “don’t you know that I ought to be about my
Father’s will” (Luke 2:49) He was clearly demonstrating the
precedence His heavenly Father took on the family tree.

Although it is hardly talked about, but it is indeed

significant that there is hardly any reference to His earthly
father during His illustrious ministry while pronounced
reference is made to His heavenly Father. Several times He
consulted with God in long prayers. He even confessed on
seeking to do the will of His Father in heaven. When He
died, it was not His earthly father that He sought. Instead
He cried to His heavenly Father in those immortal words,
“My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”(Matthew
27:46)And He was still at it after He rose from the dead
when He prevented Mary Magdalene from touching Him till
He had presented Himself to the Father (John 20:17).

KNOWING GOD AS FATHER

The wonderful truth is that you too can really get to know
God as Father if you give yourself the chance. He need not
be a stranger to you. Matter of fact, He longs to have an
intimate relationship with you as His son. The problem has
always been that we ignore Him or rebel against Him,
usually at our peril. When we do so we are the greater loser.
When we are far from His eternal love we expose ourselves
to dangers we need not face alone. The entire scripture is

52
really about the love God longs to share with man, as a
Father. It was the relationship He had with Adam when He
made him and put him in the garden. However, it is Adam’s
sin and obedience that first distanced him and all his
descendants from this most intimate relationship. The chief
reason why most people never sense or experience this
relationship with God is because of the effect of sin. It stands
as the proverbial barrier between a “lost mankind” and a
loving God, between children and their Father.

It is, however, also true that quite a number are indeed

“distanced” from a loving relationship with God as Father
because of the prevailing misconceptions assumed about
who God is. Even among His own chosen people, the Jews,
the impressions of God tended to be of a very remote and
austere personality. They considered God in the highest
degree as a person to be approached with extreme caution. It
was even unthinkable to mention His name. And although
God Himself spoke of His enduring love for them as His
beloved children this impression was never seen at an
individual context. At most they thought of Him as the
Father of the entire nation of Israel. In fact, mention of Him
as Father is done only 15 times in the Old Testament.
Similarly, pictures of the renaissance period only worsened
this impression as they depicted God as an old angry figure,
preoccupied with judgmental attitudes. Compounding this
legacy are the very available numbers of legalistic religious
leaders and highhanded earthly fathers that have only
served to elude the true impression of a kind, gentle and
loving God as our Father.

53
And yet, if the truth is told God is indeed a very loving
Father and everyone is capable of knowing Him that way.
He is the kindest, nicest, most loving person anyone can ever
meet. It is important that we realize that all persons were
made in His image and have in them a void, a hole that only
His love can fill. More than anyone ever did, Jesus clarified
the image of God. In fact, it can be said that one of the
principal reasons, if not the most important motive for His
coming was to reconcile us to this wonderful person, God. A
closer study of His own relationship with God shows that
for all the latter’s many titles and offices yet Father was
Jesus’ preferred term for referring to Him. In His immortal
Sermon on the Mount of Olives He used the expression 14
times. And that is how He addressed God in prayer
(Matthew 6:9). His purpose was to reveal that God was not
some unapproachable, remote, and austere figure but a
loving, caring and easily accessible person. And in so many
ways, He actually revealed the Father. In all that He did, He
sought to reflect the very work and image of God. Where
God had healed, forgiven sins, and fed His people Jesus
demonstrated the same virtues. The gist caught with His
disciples who He had taught to refer to God as their Father
(Matthew 6:9). They saw his compassion, how He cared and
never rejected whoever came to Him (Matthew 18:34-36;
Luke 5:12-13, 17-20) and they too knew that they could call
God Father. As a result, the term Father appears 245 times in
the New Testament.

Not only did Jesus reveal the Fathers intimacy and

compassion for mankind but also in His death He rendered
apart the barrier between people and God. By shedding His

54
innocent blood for the atonement of our sins He in a single
stroke made it possible for all mankind to be reconciled to
God. Where sin had estranged us from God’s favor and
kindness the blood of Jesus dispelled it to legitimize our
identity as God’s own dear children. All we have to do to
begin sensing and experiencing this privilege and its
powerful results is to acknowledge our sins and God’s love
for us expressed in the death of His only begotten Son. If we
believe in our heart and confess with our lips that Jesus died for us
(Romans 10:9)…. Nothing shall ever separate us from the love of
God (Romans 8:39).

What is the privilege of knowing God as “Father” for all who do

not have fathers, patrons or life coaches? The benefits are
enormous: As the aforementioned cases in God’s word
reveal, God is indeed a most vital coach and patron. In fact,
He is the most seasoned patron anyone can ever have. His
experience has been tested and His loyalty is total. The
scriptures confirm that He is a father to the fatherless (Psalm
68:5) and that He will never leave us, even if our earthly
parents do (Psalm 27:10). Short of the love of a father or
patron God is indeed that dangerous substitute. With Him,
the struggler need not be afraid of the varied challenges on
the way to victory. It is in this regard that the Apostle Paul
boldly confessed to a terrified church shaken by the
persecution they faced that if God be for us who can be against
us (Romans 8:31). All men that relied on God as Father were
never disappointed. From the patriarchs of our faith –
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the kings, prophets and other
servants of God we continuously see men and women that
intimated with a loving and compassionate God as their

55
Father overcoming steep opposition. It is this relationship
that moved many to make vows and covenants with God
and every one of them testifies to God’s faithfulness in
keeping His part of the bargain. In these great accounts, we
are shown a Father that is very concerned about every detail
of the lives of His children. It was not only the broad aspects
of a struggler’s destiny that saw God’s intervention but all
aspects of their lives were precious to Him. This same Father
is still available today and has never changed in His ways.
He is not a man that He should change His mind (1 Samuel
15:29). On the contrary, He is the same yesterday, today and
forever (Hebrews 13:8)

BORN TO WIN

Jesus tells an amazing story that illustrates the loving nature

of God as Father in the face of two sons, one obedient and
the other self-conceited. The latter son chose to forfeit the
care of his father in preference for the father’s wealth. Rather
than depend on the security that his father’s love guaranteed
he chose to put all his trust on the property of his father.
Asking for his share of his inheritance he departs to a far
country where he wastes all of it. Soon he has nothing left.
Despairing in a life of poverty, failure and squalor he reflects
on the consequence of his wrong choice. He considers
returning to his father as a servant convinced that his actions
and deplorable status are so dishonorable to be considered a
son again. On the other hand, is the father who has
continuously awaited the return of his son. Every passing
day the father would stand at the gate looking at the

56
direction the son took hoping that one day he would return.
When the son returns, while he is still a distance away from
the house, the father spots him and runs to him. The son is
shocked and seeks to explain his desire to be a servant. The
father will have none of it and to the young man’s surprise
dresses him, with a robe and ring, and actually throws a
party to celebrate his return. The other son hears of it and is
angry that the father had never done the same for him and
his friends (Luke 15:11).

Ranking as one of the great stories of our times, it does

contain in its details quite a number of fundamental moral
lessons. One that is often overlooked is the guarantee of
victory inherent in each and every one of us. Both sons did
not realize that they did not need to perform considerable
feats to be sons of their father or to even celebrate and have a
party. In hoping to return as a servant and in serving at
home like a servant both the prodigal son and his obedient
brother assumed that they had to “work” their privileges as
sons. They missed the point: They were born sons in the
house of their father. They did not need to work to be their
father’s sons; instead, their father had worked to be their
father. The fundamental lesson here is that they had been
born sons. Their victory need not be postponed till they had
worked it out. They were born victorious. They could
celebrate that victory at anytime in their father’s house.

A similar misconception dominates most people. They think

they are losers until they are able to achieve some attained
feat. They will not celebrate anything till they have
accomplished some task. And that is how they discriminate

57
others. Those that have evidently accomplished something
are heroes while those that have nothing to show are
nothing to be taken seriously. God on the other hand,
celebrates our victory by virtue of our birth. In His regard,
every one is a born winner. You do not have to do nothing
for God to know that. Before you were born He knew what
you would accomplish (Jeremiah 1:5-6). In my other book,
The Value of a Name, I deal exhaustively with this
argument. Every one is born for a purpose. There is no one
here on earth by mistake. Every one that is born has been
born to conquer, subdue and dominate. That is the plan of
God. And as far as He is concerned the mission is
accomplished. When God looks at all of us He sees winners
made in His fantastic image. That is how He made you and
what he made you for. You my friend are destined to win.
You are a winner from the word go to the grand finale!

That was also the fundamental lesson of Jacob and Esau. I

always wondered why God discriminated between the two.
Why did He love Jacob and hate Esau as the scriptures point
out? (Malachi 1:2) The reason may well be found in the
omniscience of God who must have known the extent to
which Esau would seek to work out his own favor rather than
depend on God. A closer observation of the two sons of
Isaac demonstrates this. Whereas, Jacob tended to intimate
with God in a close relationship Esau owed all his allegiance
to his earthly father and never sought a relation with His
heavenly Father. Where Jacob eventually sought to please
God, Esau’s loyalties ended on Isaac and himself. As a
result, we see a hard working Esau in the house of Isaac
seeking to earn his status in spite of being first born. Initially,

58
Jacob was also caught in this web when he sought to earn it
from Esau (by offering his brother food in exchange for first-
born status) and later on disguising himself as his brother to
get his father’s blessing. In the end, it was really the relation
that he nurtured with God that God in his omniscience had
seen at his birth that guaranteed his victory. It is in this
regard that Jacob was a winner from birth.

You and I have as much chance as Jacob if we choose to

submit to God and cease to depend on our strength.
However talented one may be you will never really be a
winner without God. You may even accomplish some
incredible feats in life but that will never make you a real
winner. If you really want to win in life, you must know that
winning begins and ends with God. And God has given
every one a chance at winning. Being born in itself is the
greatest guarantee that you must win. Whether one will or
not depends on the extent they will submit and rely on God.
I have not said and neither do I imply that we have no role
in ensuring victory. I am not in the least persuaded that God
would have all of us sit and wait till somehow He avails us
with victory. This brings me to the second and probably
most vital lesson of the two stories.

If anything because God guarantees and has planned our

victory we should be motivated to co-work with Him to
ensure that we attain this victory. I believe that believers in
God as Father and His Christ ought to be the most
motivated in achieving success. After all, we ought it to a
loving Father who planned it all for us. While it is indeed the
case that the sons of the loving father in Jesus’ story did not

59
need to workout their relationship status in the house of their
father they nevertheless needed to work as a result of being
sons of the father. All that their father had was theirs and
they needed to work at prospering themselves. In working
for their father they actually would be working for
themselves. The same applied to Jacob once God made
covenant with him. He did not just sit wishing but sought to
make the most of God’s guarantees. If there is a
predominant trait in the accounts of Jacob, it will be said that
he was a hardworking man. I am even sure that it was this
influence of hard work and its divine and virtuous benefits
that were passed onto Joseph. So, contrary to what some
believers of the Lord assume being chosen by God is not in
itself the end of the story. We have to work hard to realize
what God has seen in eternity. In this sense, we must realize
that while we are born winners we are also made winners.

And it is in the pursuit of working the win that one is indeed

most dependent on God. I can tell you, people that do
nothing, claiming that they are waiting for God to do
something really do not depend on God. They are lying in
His Name and unless He shows them grace they will wait
till they die in vain. This is what the Apostle James was
dealing with when he cautioned against faith without action.
Such faith is null and void. In fact, whoever does nothing is
really depending on nothing and must decease from
mocking God’s Name. God is not mocked, neither is he deceived
whatsoever a man sows is what he reaps (Galatians 6:7). You
sow nothing you reap nothing; nothing in, nothing out. It is
just amazing how many people do nothing and yet expect
something must happen. On the other hand, people that will

60
pursue a God-given vision and act on it will always depend
on God. They will be more thankful when they accomplish
most of their divine assignments. When they stumble they
will cry out to the Father. They are the ones who know what
it really means to depend on God. They are the ones who
know what a prayer can do. Even God’s most privileged and
only begotten Son never had the “benefit” of doing nothing.
Confronted with steep opposition from the leaders of his
day (a good excuse to do nothing) he responded thus:

…I will drive out demons today and tomorrow,

and on the third day I will reach my goal. In any
case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and
the next day …. (Luke 13:32)

Later on He is known to have exclaimed, “I see what my

Father does and do it also.”(John 5:19). These are not the
thoughts of an idle man. In fact, Jesus was so active that
were all the things that He did written there is not enough
room to contain them on the entire earth (John 21:25). When
you consider that He died at 33 years of age it concretizes
my claims.

The point is, if we really want to have genuine relation with

our Father we need to realize that there are a lot of privileges
He has already provided for us that should motivate us
accomplish what He has determined before the foundations
of the world. We need to know that we are born to win. And
that is not only a favor; it’s also an obligation. For every win
that He has already provided there is a price and God
expects that we should pay that price.
61
 WINNER, WELCOME HOME

I believer you are a winner. No loser could keep to this track.

Your focus on the revelations of God is a significant sign that
inherent in your being is the winner seal. Victory awaits you
and all you have to do is go for it. However, there can be no
real victory without submitting to the Father. In order to do
this one has to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
And just in case you have not made a decision to follow
Jesus I wish to invite you at this moment to this incredible
life-changing and victory-assuring decision. He is the way to
the Father and there is no other (John 14:6). When you
receive Him He does give you the power to become God’s
child (John 1:12). The way to go about it is to acknowledge
your sins and repent of them. Confess with your lips that
you will not set out to commit evil as you now belong to
Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9).

If you do so, the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all
unrighteousness and purge your conscience from sin and its
power (Hebrews 9:14). Then the Holy Spirit will seal you
with the seal of God’s eternal love so that from then on you
are legitimately a son of God (Romans 8:14). As a son of the
Most High God you will find in Him a coach, a patron, a
friend, a leader that will nurture and guide you through the
vagaries of life’s difficult challenges. He is more than faithful
(Romans 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:24) and in Him is no lie (1
Samuel 15:29). He is a Father you can fully trust and depend
on. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy
31:6-8; Joshua 1:5). I am most confident about this: No matter
62
who you are, what you have done, regardless your condition
or background you are a winner that needs to come back
home. Come back to the Father’s love, you will find that
even if it seems you have lost it all He can restore all good
things. He who begun a good work in you will bring it to
accomplishment! Matter of fact, in His more than capable
hands it does not matter where you are coming from
because your future is so bright. Winner, welcome back
home dad is waiting for you.

63
 LABAN NEVER KNEW

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart
he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe
him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be
concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the
assembly.
Proverbs 26:24-26

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against

the Lord.
Proverbs 21:30

It is one thing to deal with an absentee father, it is quite

another when dealing with a fraudulent one. Quite often, the
vulnerability of a winner will expose one to predatory
guardians. These “fathers” are not in the least interested in
the winners’ victory but are preoccupied with their own
victory. In any case, their only reason in adopting the winner
is to exploit the extent he/she may facilitate their own
victory. They pretend to be good but are actually self-
seeking tricksters. They have mastered the art of
manipulation and employ it without mercy. Always
maneuvering, they will masquerade as angels of mercy yet
really behind their evil mask is the tormenting ambition to
abuse their innocent prey. If they are really good at their
game they will even conceal their evil intentions and
actually build a reputation as caring and protecting
personalities. And more often than not someone desperate,
innocent and vulnerable will be referred to their snare and

64
suffer the bitter consequence. A closer study of the plight of
child laborers, prostitutes, drug addicts, orphans and other
vulnerable children, prisoners, even sports personalities,
movie actors, and ministers (yes, ministers) will reveal the
extents these fraudsters will go to prey on the lives of
winners.

Many winners have found themselves “stuck” in the mire of

the exploitation they suffer at the hands of such guardians.
Quite a number have lost their dream of victory when
trapped in the prison of a seasoned con passing out as a
patron. To be sure, it is so difficult to keep ones dream once
in the firm clutch of these winner predators. They are
effective dream killers. Ironically, they seek to prey on the
most promising individuals and essentially select the most
desperate and vulnerable. Once in their abusive hold, they
will proceed to ensure that their subjects dream is only a
subset to their overall dream. They will exploit the winner’s
talent only insofar as this will enhance their greedy dreams.
Short of which, they will seek to destroy any prospects the
winner has to make it alone or with someone else. In the
end, they never seek to grow, benefit or prosper the winner.
After abusing/exploiting their prey they will await the point
they are waning of their potential and then dump them.

65
 LABAN THE CON DAD

The story of Jacob and Laban is really the story of a

vulnerable winner in the hands of a con dad. Where Isaac’s
love had been Jacob’s lost dream, Laban’s “love” was his
nightmare. Referred by his mother, uncle Laban was the
man to care for Jacob while he ran and hid from the wrath of
his brother. Fortunately for the young runaway God reached
him before he reached Laban. Just before completing his run
from an angry Esau, Jacob is visited by God and actually
makes a covenant with him in which God guarantees the
young man’s victory where he is going. Given the fraudulent
and manipulative qualities of his uncle, it would have been
utterly impossible for Jacob to keep the dream of victory
were it not for God’s intervention. From day one till the time
when Jacob finally picked the nerve to depart Laban sought
to trick, exploit and even swindle Jacob to the extent that he
almost lost the dream.

The accounts of Laban’s game of manipulation are given in

the book of Genesis between chapters 29 and 32. It all begun
with a twist to a love story; when Jacob was in love with the
younger daughter, Rachel, and Laban instead gave him the
older one, Leah. To get the love he wanted, Laban made him
work at his farm for 14 years. When Jacob wanted to leave
following the birth of Joseph, Laban still tricked him to stay
by pretending to offer him an outstanding recompense for
his work. At least in this instance, he had the sincerity to
admit that his prosperity had been the result of God’s favor
on Jacob. Nonetheless, he still went on to manipulate Jacob’s
wages several times. Fortunately for the winner God was by
66
his side and whenever Laban would change the terms of
Jacob’s payments God would intervene through miraculous
means to ensure that he got more than his due. Jacob
pointed these issues to his wives complaining:

You know that I have worked for your father

with all of my strength, yet your father has
cheated me by changing my wages ten times.
However, God has not allowed him to harm me.
If he said, “The speckled ones will be your wages,”
Then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young;
And if he said, “The streaked ones will be your
Wages,” then all the flocks bore streaked and young.
So God has taken away your father’s livestock
and has given them to me. (Genesis 31:7)

In the end, Jacob prospered in spite of the manipulative

hands of his uncle. In fact, he became even more prosperous
than his uncle who became jealous of his nephews
accomplishments. Soon, a bitter feud grew in the family of
Laban against Jacob. It is then that Jacob sought to break ties
with his manipulative uncle.

What is crucial to appreciate is the incredible role God

played in both frustrating the manipulative tendencies of
Laban against Jacob therefore prospering him in the end,
and finally getting an entangled Jacob to move out of his
predators web of exploitation. While still complaining to his
wives and enlisting their support in his bid to depart with
them from their father’s household Jacob emphasizes the

67
role played by God. He revealed how the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream and commanded, thus:

Look up and see that all the male goats mating

with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted,
for I have seen all that Laban has been doing
to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you made
a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go
back to your native land. (Genesis 31:12)

Therein lays the assurance every winner needs to have in

order to accomplish victory in spite of the misfortune of
falling in the hands of a manipulative guardian. Nothing
escapes the eyes of God. And nothing can thwart His
intentions however subtle or powerful they may appear.
Two of my favorite scriptures in the struggle read – “There is
no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Most
High God” (Proverbs 21:30); “Many are the plans in a man’s
heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
Winners need not be gripped with fear once they find
themselves under the hands of such dubious guardians.
Even in their grip, caught in their intricate web of deceit,
God is there with you. Even when it may seem that one is
losing against the manipulator, stand firm. There is a God in
heaven and He has never abandoned the plan He made for
you from the foundation of the world.

68
 CORRUPTING THE WINNER

Most winners need to realize that part of the danger of

falling into the intricate web traps of devious predators like
uncle Laban is the vice of becoming like them. If you stay too
long under such an influence one tends to instinctively and
subconsciously become like the predator. You learn survival
skills of how to beat the game. Over time the innocent,
vulnerable and desperate enthusiast is corrupted into
assuming skillful survival tactics, usually resembling the
ones employed by the manipulative guardian against them.
At this point winning within the rules is seen as ineffective
and is quickly replaced with the need to win at all costs.
Usually this newly assumed behavior will be employed
against everyone else but the chief predator. However, few
will dare manipulate the chief, especially if they are old
timers – those that have dwelled within the chief’s trap for a
long time.

By the time Jacob first sought to leave Laban’s household he

was an old timer. He was an old dog with a pack of tricks.
He knew Laban’s game and was even willing to manipulate
the master himself. And so when a devious Laban beseeched
him to stay offering him to choose his wage in Genesis 29
Jacob moved for the kill. He asked for what seemingly
appeared a small wage. Something that Laban would in fact
assume was going to keep him firmly over the young man.
Jacob proposed that his wage be all the animals that have
speckled, spotted or streaked skin, a trait very few of the
animals of the time possessed. By this choice of wage, it
would seem like Jacob was not ambitious and was in fact
69
content in continuing to be Laban’s servant as it did not
seem that from such a wage he could have enough to be free.

However, Jacob was cunning. He had no intention of

keeping his earnings on the low side as his subsequent
actions reveal. For one, he was not going to leave the matter
to natural means or chance. Although to appease his uncle,
he sought to separate the marked animals from the
unmarked, he still endeavored to manipulate the birth
results of the unmarked animals. The narrator of the account
details how Jacob using marked sticks and water for the
animals trying hard to manipulate the results so that the
finest of Laban’s single-colored animals nevertheless
produced marked animals (that would therefore be his
wage). He would wait for the mating season for the
strongest of Laban’s animals to be on heat and would make
sure he drew them to the water where they would mate
while looking at the stripped stick. The trick seems to have
worked so successfully since all the animals that he exposed
the marked sticks would in fact produce marked animals. In
the end, most of the strong animals belonging to his uncle
produced marked animals that according to the wage treaty
between Jacob and Laban belonged to the former. After a
while of these means of payment during which Laban
nevertheless changed terms ten times Jacob had the finest
flocks of the two and in fact the largest number.

The point Jacob argued to his wives is that God had favored
him against the tricks of his uncle. And that is indeed the
case as it were. However, there is something that quite a
number of people that look at this story tend to overlook.

70
And that is, that Jacob had not intended to be fair with
Laban in the first place. He took matters in his own hands to
manipulate the animals so that he may get a better wage. To
be sure, the trick he employed never worked. The means of
increase that he had was not so much the results of his tricks
as it was really the efforts of God. Later on, when an
embittered Jacob is explaining to his wives, he reveals how
indeed it all happened as told to him by the Lord. God in
His omnipotent power had caused the finest of Laban’s
animals to produce marked animals. God had done this by
his grace in spite of the manipulative means employed by
Jacob. The point is that Jacob need not have done what he
did. God had not abandoned him and would still have
favored and multiplied him without his trick efforts.

The lesson here for all strugglers is plain: You do not have to
cheat your way to victory. Once God has marked you, you
will win. Instead of depending on human wisdom and ways
winners need to look to God and see His salvation. All
Jacob’s frantic efforts were a big waste of his own time. And
too many of us waste a lot of time and calories trying to
sneak our way to victory. God has already provided the
victory and if we trust him, no manipulator will ever be able
to keep you from attaining the goal. All we have to do is to
trust in him and do what we are asked to do within the
rules. God knows that the rules are skewed. He knows when
we are on the disadvantage. Nothing escapes his eye.
However, He also knows that He is above the rules of man.
The earth and its fullness belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1) and so do
the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). All those who

71
scheme and manipulate the servants or children of God need
to know that:

He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so their

hands achieve no success. He catches the
wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of
the wily are swept away. Darkness comes
upon them in the daytime; at noon they
grope as in the night. He saves the needy
from the sword in their mouth; he saves
them from the clutches of the powerful.
so the poor have hope, and injustice shuts
its mouth. (Job 5:12-16)

WINNING THE CORRUPT

Although always a difficult test, it is nevertheless possible:

Winners can triumph over the corrupt. It is partly in this
context that Jesus made the immortal encouragement
recorded in the gospel of John, “In this world you will have
trouble. But be of good cheer I have overcome the world”
(John 16:33). As long as we live in this world we will always
meet someone corrupt. After all, this domain has been taken
over by the forces of darkness. The prince of this world is the
devil himself. Never mind that he is a thief and a liar and
has only taken what really belongs to God and His Christ
(John 10:9-10). As such, there are valid lessons for the church
of Jesus Christ in the account of Jacob and Laban as Jacob
indeed represents the church and Laban represents the
world. Jacob demonstrates that winning the corrupt and

72
deceitful is indeed a possible feat. It is important that we
observe that while he came to Laban with nothing, but only
the assurance of God, he left Laban’s household with a large
stock of everything related to success. And this rag-to riches
transformation was in spite of the devious opposition of his
uncle. To be sure, Laban never desired Jacob’s welfare. Jacob
was always mindful of this and even assured him, thus:

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham

and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me,
you would surely have sent me away empty-
handed. (Genesis 31:42)
Every way he treated Jacob belied his loath for the young
man. And yet, God turned what was meant for evil and turned it
for good (Romans 8:28). This account is indeed important for
the believer on two grounds: The first one is on a very
personal ground and the second is prophetic.

On a personal level, believers need to be encouraged by the

testimony of Jacob. Many find themselves caught in dealings
with dubious persons bent on swindling them. They may be
relatives like in Jacob’s case or in most cases employers,
friends, ministers, service providers, or even “loved” ones.
The point is, many can testify to being cheated or betrayed.
Too many times, we will make the fatal mistake to rely or
trust in a person in the vain hope that they will be fair
enough to be accountable and relate with integrity.
Unfortunately, more often than not we get disappointed. To
our disappointment, someone who we trusted to keep their
word or to hold their side of the bargain will shift goal posts.
These times are not easy at all, especially when the stakes are
73
so high and the person involved was someone who we
dearly regarded/esteemed.
The challenge for most saints is what to do in the face of
betrayal. What does one do when subjected to very exploitative
manipulation? Do we return evil for evil as Jacob did? Or, should
we turn to the Lord in search for vengeance?

The dilemma is not always an easy one. Most cases of

betrayal tend to leave one despairing and seriously
confused. As a pastor, I have had the benefit of counseling
married folk that are dealing with betrayal on the part of
their partner. In many incidences the temptation to revenge is
so real. Some mates have been known to hope that
rewarding evil with evil is at least a source of solace if not a
reminder to the traitor that two can play the game.
Unfortunately, this course has been known to only yield
more pain and in some cases the couples have only made an
already difficult problem worse. Sometimes an embittered
mate seeking to settle the score has ended up acquiring a
deadly sexually transmitted virus like HIV that causes AIDS
in as much as a single revenging encounter. In cases where
employees have been defrauded by manipulative employers
or partners, playing the revenge game has been known to
bring a sense of guilt on the part of the initial victim. But
some cases have actually ended with litigation where a
corrupted employee is caught trying to play the game of his
master.

Real winners need not seek to compromise their integrity in

the face of corrupt mentors or leaders. We are well advised
in God’s word that this is not the way of God. Jesus

74
cautioned that we reward evil with good (Matthew 5:36-42).
The account of Jacob demonstrates that when we are taken
advantage of, God is a witness and He will seek our
vindication. This may always not seem like the case when
we are being swindled off our feet. However, it is true. The
word assures that the One who watches over Israel never
slumbers (Psalm 121:4). There is nothing that escapes the eyes
of God, most especially where justice is concerned.
Throughout the scriptures He condemns those that
disregard the plight of others. Where injustice is committed
He has in several occasions in His word responded by
warning or seeking vengeance for the aggrieved. Seeking to
encourage the Hebrews who often times would find
themselves as slaves, being exploited and abused by a
foreign kingdom, He would solemnly promise that justice
will prevail (Isaiah 51:4). Similarly, if His own people the
Jews did not demonstrate justice in their dealings He would
rebuke them and often would threaten to punish the land for
such blatant evil (Amos 5:12-27). It was in fact in this regard
for justice that the Messiah was expected to come and
establish justice among all the kingdoms of the world.

Consequently, the believer should have full confidence in all

circumstances and even in those circumstances where they
are taken advantage of. They should know that God will
intervene to ensure justice is done. The winner can rest
assured that with God they can overcome the corrupt. In fact
Jesus took it further urging us to forgive those who treat us
unfairly. Early in His ministry He taught that vengeance was
the Lord’s and we should not take matters in our own

75
hands. Instead, we should love and forgive those that seek
our loss in any regards. In His own words:

You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and
tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil
person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek
turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to
sue you and take your tunic, let him have your
cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile
go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:38)

This caution against seeking revenge was especially a new

and radical concept. It was certainly a departure from the
ways the previous generations of teachers had instructed
their students, including the very tenets of the law. As such
they were difficult to receive and still pose a challenge to
many today. It is indeed difficult because it goes against our
very human nature and principles of natural justice. Many
have dismissed its validity in the face of a harsh world that
regularly presents us with unfair conditions. They argue that
living a life of loving and forgiving everyone that offends us
is so naïve and can only be compared to burying ones head
in the sand while exposing the behind to mortal danger.

They wonder – Can people be victorious simply by loving and

trusting? Does it make sense in a contemporary world where
corruption is rife and “hearts have grown cold”? Yes they can.
The principle works for two reasons. First, the one that
suggested it employed it Himself and it worked for Him.
Jesus Christ demonstrated first hand by loving those that
actually killed Him. When He was arrested at the garden of
76
Gethsemane and Peter struck the ear of one of his arresting
officers, Jesus intervened by healing the man (John 18:10). As
He died on the cross with His crucifiers below Him, rather
than hurl insults at them as was the custom among those
being crucified, He prayed for them, asking God to forgive
them (Luke 23:34). And after He rose from the dead, He still
sought to meet with his very lieutenants that had actually
run away from Him at His time of need. He even appointed
Peter who betrayed Him, a record three times, to be head of
the church (Matthew 16:18). His love and forgiveness
demonstrated His humility, which caused God to raise Him
from the dead and exalt Him to the highest of heaven.

The second reason why it works pertains to the wisdom of

God. What many of us do not realize is that God does have a
different way of doing and looking at things from all of us.
The prophet Isaiah tells us “His ways are higher than our ways,
His thoughts than our thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). And the apostle
Paul tells us that the wisdom of God is foolishness to the
world and vice versa (1 Corinthians 1:21). Given that Jesus
Christ is indeed God, then His radical counsel was indeed
the very wisdom of God. Following it then only makes you
wise in His eyes and must surely have good dividends. God
would never cause or advise anyone to do something utterly
negative (James 1:13). His plans for us are good and they
include loving and forgiving those who offend us. This may
be difficult to do but it is the right thing to do. We ought to
be more careful with our hearts and ways when we are
confronted with a testing situation like being defrauded or
betrayed. The scriptures warn that the heart is evil and
deceitful; no one knows what lies in it (Jeremiah 17:9). The

77
strong warning also given in the proverbs is appropriate
here when the writer cautions that there is a way that seems
right to a man but the end of it leads to destruction (Proverbs
14:12).

To be sure, you can and will win if you employ the attitudes
suggested by Jesus in the face of evil. Love and forgiveness
are indeed powerful weapons in the hands of a winner.
Vengeance and hatred are on the hand, powerful weapons
against a winner. In the struggle for life never get bitter, get
better. With God on your side you already have the victory
(1 Corinthians 15:57). Although, bearing character faults,
Jacob demonstrated this so incredibly and received favor
from God. He was not afraid to work for Laban and tried so
hard to increase his wealth (Genesis 30:27). In spite of the
fact that his fraudulent uncle had repetitively cheated him,
nevertheless Jacob worked hard to ensure Laban was
successful although he eventually sought his own success
(Genesis 31:38-42). In doing so, he demonstrated that he
trusted in God (Genesis 30:31-33).

There is also a profound prophetic value in the testimony of

Jacob relevant for the church today. Like I mentioned earlier,
the two characters – Jacob and Laban – are types
representing the church and the world respectively. Another
parallel does exist representing the two and still has a
prophetic value for today’s believer and the church: Thus,
we observe that the parallels between Jacob’s sojourn in
Paddan-aram and Israel’s bondage in Egypt must have been
evident to the nation as they first read this account from the
pen of Moses. Jacob’s sin necessitated this departure just as

78
Joseph’s journey was the result of many sins. Jacob went to
Paddan-aram a poor man, but he left with a large family and
great wealth. Joseph was sent to Egypt a virtual slave; but
when the nation emerged at the exodus, they were many,
and they had considerable wealth. Just as Laban was judged
of God by his wealth being given to Jacob, so Egypt was
judged by the wealth that was taken out at the exodus.

The scriptures declare that the wealth of the wicked is stored up

for the just (Proverbs 13:22). And I believe that is how it is
going to be before Jesus comes back in glory. There is going
to be a divine exchange of wealth in incredible proportions
from the hands of the world to those of the church. My other
book – True Prosperity – is the result of this prophetic
assessment of the times we live in as being the beginning of
the Lord’s fulfillment of this divine exchange of wealth. God
spoke to me at the beginning of this year and told me that it
really was not so much the beginning of a new year as it is
indeed the beginning of a new season of goodness flowing to
the church. This is not the time for one to choose to be in the
side of corruption. They are on the loosing side. We, on the
other hand, that are servants of our Lord and His Christ, are
at the brink of an incredible move of God that will not only
be manifested in great spiritual activity but also material
prosperity. The Lord is going to prove to the world that the
earth and all its fullness belong to Him (Psalm 24:1). Just as
Laban thought Jacob was foolish until God proved him
wrong, so has the world thought that the church is foolish
and God is going to prove them wrong. In fact, while the
Lord prospers His people, there will be a contrast in the
world and its systems. They will be suffering. The prophet

79
Malachi saw these days and rejoiced. Among his last
prophecies he revealed as much:

You have said, “It is futile to serve God.” What did we

Gain by carrying out his requirements and going about
Like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we
call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evil doers prosper
, and even those who challenge God escape.
Then those who feared the Lord talked to each other, and
The Lord listened and heard…….
“They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day
when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare
them,
just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves
him.
And you will again see the distinction between the
righteous and the
wicked, between those who serve God and those who do
not.
(Malachi 3:14)

We are living in the days he was witnessing. And anyone

that really believes in Jesus will receive this glorious benefit.
Winner, do not be corrupted just when we are about to have
a total victory over the corrupt. Put your trust in God.

NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER
One of the most amazing stories in the bible is the
conversion of Saul of Tarsus to Paul the apostle to the
Gentiles. Here was this persecutor per vengeance of the

80
church. He was just impossible and his cruel reputation
against the saints was widespread. And yet the Lord reached
up to him and converted him so that he became a man of
great compassion and zeal for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
During his conversion on his way to Damascus, Jesus asked
him a very profound question. He sought to know why Saul
was persecuting Him.

The point in that question is the fact that whoever seeks to

hurt or treat the church in any derogatory manner is really
doing it against the Lord Himself. Touching the anointed is
tantamount to touching the apple of His eye (1 Chronicles
16:22; Psalm105:15). Believers ought to know that God is
touched by our infirmities and is witness to all that we endure
(Hebrews 2:14-18). Rather than succumbing to the Laban’s of
this world we need to realize that so much power has been
arraigned on our side. We cannot and should not retreat or
surrender to such negative forces. The force of love, humility
and forgiveness is the message of the hour. It is also the
ticket to victory.

81
ALUTA CONTNUA (THE STRUGGLE
CONTINUES)
Fall seven times stand eight.
Japanese proverb.

Though the righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.

Proverb 24:16

Life is a continual series of challenges. And our attitude is

the lens through which we determine whether we shall see
the challenges as springboards or brick walls. The reality is
that challenges will always face us. As long as one is living
on this earth challenges will always find your address. When
a rather naïve Job complained to God for the things he
suffered, one of his friends reminded him that trouble is
common to man (Job 14:1). Year in, year out there will always
be a problem that will knock on our door. The most naïve
assurance one can have is to assume that once a challenge
has been overcome or a problem has been solved that that is
the last time one will face it, or for that matter face any other
challenge or problem. Those that assume so underestimate
the tenacity of devils and the curse of humankind. They also
misunderstand blessed assurance. Although the scriptures
guarantee that the blessings of God do not add sorrow (Proverbs
10:22), this does not exclude the prospect of challenges in the
blessing. Contesting a challenge need not robe one of joy. On
the contrary, witnessing the opportunity for God’s
deliverance can be a source of great pleasure and we can
trust that the joy of the Lord shall be our strength (Nehemiah

82
8:10). Whether one will have pleasure or sorrow is
dependent on their attitude.

It is a wrong attitude based on sheer naivety that caused the

nation of Israel to curse God and die in the wilderness in the
face of the challenges that stood between them and the
Promised Land. In their naivety, they never expected that a
land flowing with milk and honey would have any
inhabitants. And so, having been delivered from the
bondage of Egypt they never expected that they would meet
any further challenges. When they did, they were not
prepared. They complained and murmured against God as if
to suggest that they deserved a problem-free promise
(Numbers 14:1-4). It is amazing that while they were
desperate to depart from the whiplash of their Egyptian
taskmasters, they were nevertheless ill prepared for the
challenges of confronting the giants that occupied the
Promised Land. They did not appreciate that the same God
that had delivered them from Egypt would lead them in
conquest into the Promised Land. Unfortunately, too many
saints seem to be like the Hebrews. They cry to God for
deliverance but fail to trust Him in conquest. If you can cry,
“Lord, by your power, get me out” I want you to know that
you can also shout, “Lord, in your Name, I am going in.”

This naivety of Israel cost them dearly. God was deeply

frustrated by the ungrateful conduct of His people that He
revoked His promise from them, saving it for another
generation that had a different mentality (Numbers 14:22). A
generation that would look at every challenge as a God-
given opportunity to witness God demonstrates His power

83
to their benefit. This generation was the Joshua generation.
They entered the land of promise not so much because it was
promised but because they withstood the challenges of the
land. They were steadfast and zealous to stand in the
promise. No challenge was sufficient to frustrate their faith
so much as to cause them to quit. As a result they were
favored by God who fought their battles and gave them
great victories (Joshua 23:9-11).

Attitude is a very principle value in any prospect. I agree

with the anonymous person that convincingly declared:

Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important

than the past,
than education, than money, than circumstances, than
failures, than
what other people say or do.

It will determine whether we have joy or sorrow, whether

we win or cower. One of the most amazing characters in the
word of God is David. He was a man that had mastered his
attitude. An amazing story is told concerning how at a
young age he had gone to the battle field to deliver food to
his brothers. Upon reaching them he observes the fear the
army of Israel had in the face of the provocative boasts of the
fiercest soldier of the enemy. Rather than join in the fear that
possessed the Israel army, David saw the matter from a
different light. He saw opportunity and asked what would
be given to the man who would take on the fierce soldier (1
Samuel 17). While the rest were petrified by the risk of
fighting this fierce soldier, David was prepared for the reward.

84
In the end, he was sufficiently motivated to overcome the
giant in a classic battle that never left him the same again.

The incredible legacy left behind by David and the Joshua

generation for the church today is the profit of resilience,
boldness and faith in God in the face of adversities. They
teach us not to be naïve concerning the promises of God. I
am sure they too had learnt these lessons from their father
Jacob. They must have witnessed how in spite of the efforts
and victories Jacob mastered by the grace of God yet he
never quit when problems showed up following a recent
victory. After surviving Laban’s fraud, Esau’s wrath, Isaac’s
negligence, and Rebecca’s ill-counsel due to God’s
assurances, nevertheless the patriarch continued to suffer
various setbacks in his life. From the houses of his father and
uncle to his own house Jacob struggled for victory. Even
after God changed his name and blessed him, Jacob still
continued to face challenges. He never had a break. From his
superiors to his inferiors, Jacob continued to struggle till his
death. In fact the latter problems of Jacob were even more
serious than his earlier ones and yet he continued to trust in
God through them all.

A more critical appreciation of those challenges in the

patriarch’s life reveals the role they played in drawing him
closer to God. Rather than loose trust in God, and in spite of
his own faults, Jacob grew more in his confidence in God
and His ability to transcend the steepest challenges. Jacob’s
testimony bears the useful lesson concerning the promises
and assurances of God. It demonstrates the fact that
assurance from God does not tantamount to a problem-free

85
life. On the contrary, it provides the guarantee that whatever
the challenge God is present to help you overcome it. And
just in case you were contemplating the much hyped total
PEACE, Jacob’s testimony is a practical account that tells
you aluta continua, the struggle continues. And the good side
to it is, the more the struggles the more the victories.

THE STRUGGLE OF HIS WIVES

If ever there was a biblical character that was really tested in
his love and marriage it was Jacob. But even here, he
demonstrated a confidence in God in spite of his own
failings. And in his tests he does offer invaluable lessons to
us.

His struggles did not begin after his proposal to Rachel, the
love of his life. They must have begun in the prospect of
marriage while he was still in his father’s house. Unlike his
brother Esau who chose for himself wives from among the
Canaanites Jacob sought and followed the counsel of his
parents who disapproved of his brother’s choice. This
decision could not have been an easy one considering that
those women were the only ones he knew, and his elder
twin had provided an example. It is important that we
realize in this struggle over when, who, and where to marry
Jacob submitted to finding a wife that would share in his
faith and walk with God. He demonstrated the importance
of values in selecting a life long partner. Secondly, by
choosing to follow his parents counsel instead of the bad
example set by his peer Jacob demonstrated respect for the
elderly in these matters. The fact that he was 40 years when

86
he finally married testifies to the need for patience in these
matters. Rather than rash and regret or stray, Jacob showed
how it is vital that we trust God and His timing in our own
searches for true love. He proved that true love waits.

Even after he found her, he formerly proposed to her and

her father. He must have struggled with his passions as she
was indeed the finest woman he’d ever seen and she was in
love with him too. And yet, he did not take matters into his
own hands choosing to formalize his interest. His father-in-
law who was at the same time his uncle made him pay bride
price in kind by tending his animals for seven years. While
that was the case, he was cheated by his father-in-law into
marrying the older less attractive sister, Leah. This setback
did not cause him to deviate from his true love. While
respecting his father-in-laws dilemma at marrying off a
younger daughter while the older one remained unmarried,
Jacob still pursued his heartthrob. His love was unrelenting.
Even after his father-in-law set a new standard of another
seven years of labor, he was persistent to marry his love. As
far as he was concerned, the entire fourteen years were
nothing compared to the love he felt for Rachel (Genesis
29:16-30). Many today would do well to learn from Jacob to
persist in love. Unfortunately, today’s generation just seems
to have so many excuses not to be faithful resulting in
broken promises and wasted hearts. Too much pain would
have been avoided if men today were as persistent as Jacob.

You would have thought that given the struggles he

endured in getting married he would at least “rest” in
marriage. Instead, he faced even more challenges. He

87
struggled with the prospects of two competing wives. The
two sisters contested for his love in an epic battle that left no
winners but a stressed Jacob and a seriously dysfunctional
family. Ironically, God closed the womb of the younger
(Jacob’s true love) while opening the one of the older. God
was moved with compassion for Leah. It is also possible that
He sought Jacob to realize the need of balancing his love in
the face of the realities of marrying two wives. Some have
even suggested that the deliberate frustration of Rachel’s
womb was a good source of demonstrating the failures
associated with polygamy.

Whatever the case may have been there is no record that

Jacob ceased to love Rachel for her reproductive failings.
Neither did he blame God. Instead his love for her was
consistent provoking an angry Leah who on the other hand
hoped in vain that her reproductive abilities would entice
Jacob to forsake her sister in her favor. Jacob’s love for
Rachel was unconditional; it covered her wrong while
patiently waiting on God’s intervention. This is what love
and marriage ought to be like. We are to love those whom
God has entrusted in our care and love. Too many people
have loved one another and never presumed that anything
would challenge the love they shared. To their dismay, they
have found that marriage does have its challenges or in
some more trying cases, they have suffered the misfortune of
an accident or a similar failing like Rachel’s. During trying
times love must endure. Jacob’s testimony demonstrates that
we do not have to change course when confronted with a
challenge to our love.

88
It is also instructive that while loving his wife he did not
question or loose trust in God as a result of her weakness.
When a jealous Rachel pleaded with him to give her children
he referred to God’s sovereignty on the matter (Genesis
30:1). Although he waited patiently for the Lord to intervene
on the matter yet his love for Rachel compromised his faith.
Rachel suggested that he sleeps with her maid in a
compromise means of getting children to cope with the
competition she had with her sister. As a result she bore two
sons, Dan and Naphtali, through her maid Bilhah. The
consequences of such seemingly easy solutions that were
also assumed by her sister who also got two sons, Gad and
Asher, from her maid Zilphar, was the dysfunctional family
of Jacob. Although God was faithful, eventually opening
Rachel’s womb giving her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin.
Jacob paid a bitter price for his mess. Later in his older years
his compromises tormented him as his children inherited the
rivalry and fell prey to the promiscuity in his house. Matters
would certainly have been a lot different if Jacob had just
waited. If he had trusted God and endured till God had
opened the womb of his love. It is very instructive that
Rachel died bearing her last child, Benjamin. It is possible
that this was the result of her failure to realize the role God
played in the whole matter. In spite of the fact that God had
given her favor in the eyes of her husband she corrupted
him and in so doing triggering a chain of hatred in his
family. In the end she died still trying to make even with her
sister rather than being grateful to God.

In our own struggles, be it marriage, love, business or

whatever, there will always be the proper way of conducting

89
ourselves in order to realize our goals. The lesson we learn
from Jacob in his difficult relation with his wives is the need
to trust God entirely and stay the course of righteousness.
Whichever deviation we commit will definitely cost us
dearly. It may seem to be the right thing to do or the more
convenient thing but in the end it is always the thing we
grievously regret doing. The desperation and strife both
wives exhibited demonstrates the need to be more
harmonious, even loving, with those that are against us. The
two wives would have done well to love their enemies
(Matthew 5:44). Rather than device our own means of justice
we stand a better chance trusting that vengeance belongs to the
Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35). Were it not for God’s divine
intervention in the family none would have won. Jacob must
have sensed this and pleaded mercy to a God who can
bestow a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah
61:3). To be sure, Jacob’s family did indeed suffer for all the
rivalry of the two wives and it was only the arm of God that
worked their salvation and His own righteousness sustained
the family (Isaiah 59:16).

THE STRUGGLE WITH HIS CHILDREN

The struggle continued: The contest of Jacob’s wives
provided fertile ground for the struggles he had with his
children. Thirteen in total, the patriarch had the largest
family in his lineage. Seven were the children he had with
Leah, namely – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar,
Zebulon and a girl called Dinah. Two were from Rachel,
namely – Joseph and Benjamin. Two were from Leah’s maid,

90
Ziphar, namely – Gad and Asher. Two were from Rachel’s
maid, Bilhah, namely – Dan and Naphtali.

Few parents in the bible suffered as many tests as Jacob did

with his children. For one, Jacob’s children were so self-
conceited and ill-tempered. Like their mothers they sought
to avenge at the slightest provocation. The first time we
witness this trait and the trouble it posed to Jacob is in
Genesis 34 in the twisted account of Dinah’s marriage to the
son of a ruler among the Shechmite. The story is told how
the Shecmite’s son, himself called Schecmite, desired Dinah
to the extent that he raped her. Having done so, together
with his father, Hamon, they seek to persuade Jacob to
actually allow the two to get married. Once Jacob’s sons
knew what had happened to their sister, they planned to
avenge. They tricked the Schechmites into getting
circumcised and while they were healing from the wound
two of Jacob’s sons moved into their city and killed all the
men. The rest of the sons moved in and looted with
impunity all the property including women and animals.
The whole incident was so brutal and threatened to provoke
all the neighboring tribes against Jacob’s family. And yet, in
spite of this development Jacob’s sons still felt no remorse
content in their revenge for what had been done to their
sister.

It is important that we realize that the consequence of taking

matters into their own hands threatened their very existence.
Although they were blinded to this by their bitterness and
anger, the realities were clear to Jacob. Probably, he
preferred to handle such matters differently. He may have

91
sought for God to deal with those who had treated his
daughter with disrespect. Rather than be angry Jacob chose
to be meek. Many of us would do well to trust the judgment
of God in circumstances like this. Two wrongs never made it
right. Part of the danger of revenge is the loss both parties
will stand to suffer as a result. It is in this regard that some
have taunted the Hammurabian law – an eye for an eye –
suggesting that in settling scores, we may all end up blind.

In the end, Jacob trusted God who reminded the patriarch of

the covenant they shared. God tells him to go to Bethel
where he first talked to him and while their build an altar.
When this had been done God moved in an amazing way to
deal with his enemies. The scriptures record that a terror
befell all the neighboring tribes so that they were afraid of
Jacob. We too must know that whenever we are aggrieved,
God is able to deal with our enemies and bring them to
justice.

In resolving that problem, we are presented with yet another

challenge that Jacob faced with his children; the problem of
their faith. When God tells him to go to Bethel to renew his
covenant with Him, Jacob asks all his children to consecrate
themselves and hand over their idols. This deviation is not
made apparent prior to this experience. It must have been
something going on in his house that Jacob struggled with.
He must have been praying to God that the opportunity will
present itself when his children will commit themselves to
the One and only true God. And so, Jacob seizes this
moment when the foolishness of his sons is endangering the
family to evangelize his household. In one moment, he had

92
all of them forsake their idols and submit to his God. It must
have been very amazing for them to realize the virtues of
their father’s God as their sojourn to Bethel paid off
handsomely.

I believe that God does use circumstances to minister to his

people. In Jacob’s case it was the threat to his family. The
patriarch teaches us to use these circumstances to appeal to
our loved ones to submit to the One God that is above every
circumstance. God Himself uses these circumstances to enlist
the commitment of his people throughout His word.
Whenever, a rebellious Israel forsook His ways He would
warn them of an impending enemy that threatened to wipe
them off or take them to slavery. Parents need to be open
and bold with their children and tell them in such
circumstances to consecrate themselves to the Lord.
Similarly, pastors need to be this sincere whenever the
ministry is at threat. Business personalities and political
leaders too would be amazed if they used threats to the
existence of the business or nation to rally their subordinates
to consecrate themselves to God. In all these cases, God will
respond by showing mercy and giving another chance.

Probably the most serious problem Jacob had and the one
that brought him the most grief was the one that concerned
Joseph, the first-born son of Rachel. In one sense, the
problem was as a result of Jacob’s conduct. He favored
Joseph over his other brothers which caused them to hate
him. Their anger caused them to sell Joseph to slave traders
and lie to their father that he’d been killed by an animal. On
the other hand, Jacob’s problem was also as a result of God’s

93
intervention in the sense that God too favored Joseph and
sought to use him to preserve the family by causing his
brothers to sell him to Egypt where he planned to lift him up
above all Egypt. The period of Joseph’s absence was
probably the darkest times of Jacob. He grieved and pained
from the perceived loss of a child that he loved so much.
And yet, unknown to him the child was firmly in God’s care.
Joseph was riding on the wings of God. The accounts of his
episode in Egypt demonstrate the amazing ability of God to
secure his purposes in spite of the challenges that may seek
to offset His purpose. From the hands of slave traders,
Joseph is sold to a senior Egyptian called Potiphar. At
Potiphar’s he experiences the same favor he had in his
father’s house as his master promotes him to be the chief
steward of his house. And yet, even then the opportunity is
lost when he is falsely accused for raping Potiphar’s lustful
wife. He is then taken to prison from where he is eventually
promoted to be prime minister. And it is at this point that
during a famine which affects Canaan that he is eventually
reconciled with his father and family. Jacob has the privilege
of seeing his son again, a prospect that he had in fact given
up on.

The fundamental lessons for us in this test endured by Jacob

are clear. We ought to trust in God no matter how clearly the
circumstances are against us. Even when those closest to us
confess the worst prospect we ought to let all men be liars and
let God be true (Romans 3:4). However, disturbing the issue
we ought to know that we can trust in God. I am reminded
of the Shunamite woman who had had a child by the power
of God when the prophet Elisha had prayed for her. Later

94
on, this child died and she was at a loss. Instead of crying,
she trusted that God would restore her child. And so she
pursued the prophet of God. Along the way she was met
with several people who sought to know how she was. She
confidently confessed, “It is well with me” (2 Kings 9:6). In the
end, God restored the child’s life. It is vital that we realize
that God is able to heal, revive and restore us when we lose
someone or something (Hosea 6:1-3). In these struggles, he is
not far. He is indeed in them with us. Going through his
own grievous loss Job confessed:

95
 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He
will stand upon
the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my
flesh I will
see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and
not another.
How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)

Beloved winner, you too need to know that irrespective of

how painful your loss may be it is temporary. If you put
your hope in God you will certainly see your victory, you
and not another.

DEAD TO LOSING

It must be the total lessons of all his struggles that shored up

the confidence that marked Jacob’s departure. Dying in exile
away from the land promised to his father’s, with none of
his children evidently successful with the exception of
Joseph, Jacob prepared one most fundamental lesson for
every winner. In my opinion, it does provide the legacy of
his life. He called all his children before him. Rather than
read out a will declaring the apportioning of his wealth, he
left them something more enduring than wealth. He left
a legacy. In a prophetic sermon to all his sons he spoke
blessings to each of them. He saw mighty tribes grow out of
sons that at the time looked set to failure. The words he
spoke created the nation of Israel out of a family that had

96
caused him pain, loss, and grief out of their violence,
treachery, and deceit.
In spite of the grave odds against his family Jacob was
confident that the promise of God would cause them to
overcome. It is instructive that he prophesied the growth of a
nation in spite of the reality that prevailed. At the time, his
family was living in Egypt without any clear sign that they
would return to the land of his fathers. In doing so, he did
not want them to give up the rich heritage they had just
because of the kind gestures of Pharaoh. He sought to
provoke a yearning in them for what was truly theirs. His
words were carefully chosen to pass on the struggle. The
struggle of never relenting till the actual promise of God was
fulfilled. While all people are really born for victory not all
will really die to loss. In his death, that is the powerful legacy
he left. Jacob’s death wish tells you never to accept defeat
even if defeat is comfortable or seemingly the only option.
As you continue in the struggle, bear this in your heart that
you never lose. Problems, challenges, setbacks need not be
loses. They can be an opportunity for you to witness the
power of God. It is truly amazing to observe that out of a
dysfunctional family God yet chose for Himself a mighty
nation. It is quite unfortunate that many have ruled
themselves out just when God was counting them in.
Everyone needs to know that in all circumstances you are a
winner till the grand finale. And if you must die, as we all will
some day, at least die winning! I couldn’t agree more with the
famous coach Vincent Lombardi who stated: Winning is not
everything – it is the only thing!

97
STAY IN THE GAME: DON’T QUIT!

Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your

crown.
Revelation 3:11

One of the most inspiring works I ever held in my hands are

the moving books of Dr. T.L Osborn. I will never forget a
profound remark in a book he wrote for winners called “To
Be The Best” in which he clarified that rather than intimidate
one from the pursuit of greatness really great personalities
make you realize that it is indeed possible to be great. They
demystify the elusive prospect of winning. A close
relationship with a real champion provokes the notion that
winning is not as hard as it seems. In fact, to the uncritical
eye of a naïve enthusiast real champions make winning
appear so easy. It is in this regard that we must appreciate
the requests of the sons of Zebedee when they asked the
Master that they be positioned on the right and left of His
throne at the time of His Kingdom (Mark 10:37). They
sought to rule with Him because they had walked with Him.
In their naïve estimation they assumed it was easy to be like
Him. As such, really great fathers make fatherhood look easy;
really great men make manhood look easy; really great sisters
make sisterhood look easy; really great drivers make driving look
easy; really great ministers make ministry look easy; really great
doctors make healing look easy; and, really great businessmen
make business look easy. Apart from making greatness seem
easily achievable really great people make one feel really
great. They inspire greatness. That is why if you really want

98
to be great one vital requirement is that you hang around
someone really great. Short of which, you may study
someone really great.

Since the prospect of hobnobbing with the really great is not

always possible I have endeavored to put together a study
on a really great champion in the person of Jacob. In the
testimony of Jacob we have sufficient evidence that everyone
can be great. Jacob is a lesson par excellence that winning is
a possibility. In him, we can identify with greatness even if
the circumstances around us dictate a different story. Jacob’s
story reveals how winning in the hands of God can be done
in spite of ones shortcomings or the challenges one faces.
When we observe his fears, his pains, his setbacks, his
vulnerability, his trials and how he triumphs in the end, we
know that there is no need to throw in the towel. If Jacob
made it with God, we too can make it. Jacob’s story is a
motivation boost for all who aspire for greatness. He tells
you that the nagging sound in the depth of your heart that
calls you to a higher calling, to lofty places, need not be a
temptation from hell to ruin you. It usually is a divine move
pushing you to a destiny God prepared for you before the
foundation of the world.

A more critical study of great personalities reveals that they

come in two kinds: There are those who make winning seem
specialized to a unique category of persons and there are
those that make everyone around them feel like a winner or
at least, a candidate for victory. In my opinion, the true test
of a winner goes beyond how many accomplishments one is
able to achieve as an individual. It is really not how super

99
one is as much as it is how many others the winner is able to
inspire into their own victories. A truly great person must be
able to reproduce him/herself in others. That is indeed the
testimony of Jacob. He was able to inspire his otherwise
dysfunctional family that they were champions in God’s
regard. In spite of their failings, his death wish was a call for
his children to rise above their circumstances to their true
calling of destiny. He was able to pass on the baton. That is
also what made Jesus incredibly great. He was able to pick
all kinds of diverse persons and inspire them to be just like
Him. Within a short time of living with them, He was able to
send them to go and do just what He did. In fact when He
set out to live them after only three years of being with them
He assured them that they would do much more than He
had done (John 14:12). Today, He calls all of us to only believe
and we too can do what He did (Mark 16:17). He too, passed
on the baton to us. Because He is the most inspiring figure
that has ever leaved, He is in this sense also the greatest
personality in history.

Throughout the scriptures are examples of other really great

personalities that were able to inspire those close to them to
become great. Apart from the apostles, we have Joshua who
learnt from Moses to be a leader, Saul who learnt from
Samuel, Solomon who learnt from David, Elisha who learnt
from Elijah, Mary who learnt from Elizabeth, Timothy who
learnt from Paul, and many others. Many in our
contemporary times have applied the same principle: I am
sure that America’s current President George W. Bush Junior
owes both his tenure and political experience to his father
the 42nd President. Others in our times that have been

100
inspired by greatness include Prime Minister John Major
who was inspired by Margaret Thatcher; Cece Winans and
Bebe Winans who picked up motivation for Christian music
from their parents; Benny Hinn confesses to being inspired
by the maverick evangelist Kathryn Kuhlmann; for Creflo
Dollar it was Kenneth Copeland; and Kenneth Copeland
himself was inspired by Oral Roberts.

The point is that really great personalities make winning

seem easy because it is possible. Winning is not some
mystery that can only be attained by a magical concoction
whose formula is reserved for a chosen category of eminent
persons. It is a rather achievable goal for all who are willing
to pursue it. You can win, I can win, and everybody can win.
In fact, everybody is destined to win. That is the plan of God
and the only thing that has caused many to lose is the
deception of Satan, the ignorance of men and women to
God’s noble intentions, and the refusal to persist till one
overcomes.

PAY THE PRICE

To be sure, although great personalities make winning

appear easy it is in truth more often than not a difficult
exercise. The pursuant of victory must prepare for the
challenges that winning requires. Most attempts will be met
with challenges, setbacks, even loses in the process to
victory. The problem of really great winners is that they
have in a sense managed to conceal their struggles. Most
never wear their heart on their sleeves; they are not keen to

101
confess their struggles. Most look at the prospect of
discussing their struggles so negatively. Some have even
been known to suggest that doing so is in itself a sign of
weakness. For others, the possibility that their competitors
or enemies would maliciously exploit any exposure of their
struggles deters them from opening up. And so, to the
uncritical observer they appear as though they were
invincible.

Of course that is not the case. Behind every winner are

struggles and their claim to victory was sealed by their
persistence in the face of these struggles. They won because
they fought the fight and run their course (1 Timothy 1:18). This
was the reason that Jesus declined to extend privileges so
early in His ministry to the sons of Zebedee. And it explains
His rather challenging response to their bold request. In
response, He asked if they were willing to partake of the
challenges that walking with Him would require. Were they
willing to pay the price for their request? In fact, if the truth
were told Jesus did not ever seek to make winning easy.
Instead, He sought to demonstrate and teach that whatever
the challenge winning was possible. In His own experience,
He proved that against all odds, even death, you can win.
He endeavored to clear the naive illusions of His disciples by
regularly preparing them for His own arrest and death.
Many of them, especially those closest to Him like Peter,
found it impossible to understand the difficult path to
victory that He had chosen. Later on, they would be the ones
to face these challenges boldly and consistently till they too
won their battle in death. Other disciples like Paul became
masters of the game of winning. Called by the Lord to know

102
how He will suffer, Paul was never shy to confess his
victories in spite of the setbacks he suffered. His sober
approach to winning is seen several times in his letters but
perhaps his most moving instruction to any aspirant is
recorded in his advice to the rather practical and generous
church in Philippi when he cautioned them to “forget those
things that lie behind and press on reach the goal”(Philippians
3:13-14).

Every genuine winner will confess that victory comes at a

price. And the highest price one can ever pay is to endure till
the end (Matthew 10:22). Winning is never secured because
one has begun as much as it is achieved after one has
completed. There are no illusions in between. That is why
Jesus cautioned that a preliminary evaluation be done before
pondering in a struggle lest one underestimates what it
would take to accomplish it (Luke 14:28-29).

THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST

It is important that one realizes that it is not always the case

that those who begin first or go ahead early are necessarily
the winners in the end. If one has not made a correct
evaluation of the struggle and what it takes they may begin
early or be ahead and still lose the struggle. This is
particularly the case for long winding struggles. A clear
example in the scripture is the tragedy of Esau, Jacob’s twin.
Although he was the first from the womb and begun with
the favor of their father, he nevertheless lost the advantage
because he underestimated what it took to complete the

103
struggle and achieve the reward. In the end, Jacob was more
shrewd and determined for victory. He outmaneuvered
Esau to assume the incredible blessing of their father, a
result that his brother could not reverse however much he
pleaded with his father (Genesis 27:37; Hebrews 12:16-17).
It is amazing why we let ourselves be bothered by the
successes of those who seem to have gone ahead of us. I will
never forget the remarkable visit of the international
ministry of Joyce Meyer to our nation two years ago. It had a
lasting impact on so many others and me. Our nation will
remain forever grateful for her commitment and excellent
delivery of God’s word. Among her team was Pastor
Muthoni of Kenya who taught on the incredible testimony of
Joseph in prison. He told us how at one time in his life he
complained to God concerning why his breakthroughs were
delaying while those of some newcomers in the Kingdom
seemed to be popping like corn. God asked him to look at
Genesis 40:11 for the answer. Naturally, the reference did
not make any sense to him for it reads, “I was holding the
cup of Pharaoh.” However, God proceeded to ask him
whether he preferred to hold the cup of Pharaoh or the
nation of Pharaoh. Holding the cup of Pharaoh needed only
three days in prison as it was for the butler referred to in the
story, while holding the nation of Pharaoh would take
longer as was the case with Joseph. The profound lesson was
that big breakthroughs take longer to materialize than small
ones; the bigger the reward, the higher the price. But it does also
demonstrate how the last can eventually be the first.

That is the same reason God rebuked the prophet Jeremiah

for complaining about the prosperity of the wicked. God

104
asked him, “If you cannot walk with footmen how can you
race with horsemen” (Jeremiah 12:5). In essence, God was
questioning whether the prophet had enough nerve to pay
the price for a greater breakthrough than the wicked of his
times. God was asking whether the prophet had it in him to
endure till he witnesses a mightier blessing for those who
pay a higher price. The point is that the winner of a long
haul or great reward must never lose the will to win simply
because at some point he/she appears to be losing. Rather
than quitting, one may need to evaluate the participants in
the struggle or ones so-called competitor. You may find that
while you are on a long distance haul you are evaluating
yourself with someone in a short sprint race. A fate,
unfortunately, many in God’s Kingdom find themselves in.
We need to know that we are in a different league from the
one of this world. The Apostle Paul advised that we do not
conform to the standards of this world (Romans 12:2). We
are not running the same race and must not measure
ourselves with the same standards: While they are keen to
make it here, we should be setting our eyes up there
(Hebrews 12:2). Their ultimate ambition may be to please
themselves, ours is to please our Father and His Christ
(Galatians 1:10). They are in a short sprint; we are in for a
very long haul. So if we find ourselves every so often
seemingly behind we should not get into a panic. In reality,
we are really way ahead. For in the end, all our desires will
pass away and it is only the will of God that will remain (1
John 2:17). To be sure, we ought to know that we will always
win for whatever is born of God overcomes the world (1
John 5:4).

105
So often, the Master sought to clarify on this issue. In His
opinion, going ahead was not as important as finishing ahead.
This was the important lesson He sought to make in His
parable of the workers in the vineyard that received the
same reward at the end of a day’s labor irrespective of the
time they came. Consequently, He rebuked them whenever
they jostled for positions and assumed primary importance
over others. It was also the value coded in the advice not to
assume senior places when invited in a party and risk
embarrassment but to take the humble place and be
eventually lifted (Luke 14:8-10). The philosopher of the book
of Ecclesiastes echoes the same lessons when he advises:

Patience is better than pride. The end

of a matter is better than the beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

The believer should not despair when seemingly lagging

behind. With patience and humility we overcome and win
those who may have gone ahead.

WINNING IN LOVE

But how should we handle it when a believer seems to have gone

ahead of us? This is a crucial issue in the body of Christ. It is
one of those things that promotes division and strife among
the saints and is as old as the Church itself. The early church
had its fair share of this problem as is clearly evident in their
letters (1 Corinthians 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 10; 3John 9-10).
Jesus, Himself faced this issue among His disciples and He
rebuked them several times when they jostled for positions

106
in His mission. In all instances, He clearly illustrated that
rather than privilege the believer’s race was premised on
service (Matthew 20:26-28). Any believer that claims
leadership or seniority must be the one that is in fact the
least. He/she must be a servant of others. Consequently, if a
believer seeks to be ahead of others He/she should be one
that is willing to serve all the others. In this regard, it
becomes difficult for one to be envious or offended by ones
success. It is indeed a tall order for one to be offended when
being served. Similarly, as believers we should seek to serve
even those offended by us and those ahead of us.

It is important that we realize that serving those ahead of us

is indeed the highway God has provided for us to reach
where they are. So rather than take offense, we should be
delighted to be of service. We ought to remember that Elisha
served Elijah and so qualified for the double portion of his
masters anointing (2 Kings 2:1-14). Similarly, David served
Saul before assuming the throne of Israel (1 Samuel 16:21).
And Jesus fulfilled all righteousness when He was baptized by
John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13). In the principles of God, the
way up is the way down.

This rivalry among believers is indeed an old issue, probably

as old as the church itself. Its genesis can be found in the
early encounter when both Cain and Abel brought their
respective offerings before the Lord and He received one
(Abel’s) and rejected the other (Cain’s). Cain was envious of
his brother and killed him (Genesis 4:4-8). Before he did,
God warned him and instructed him on what to do in the
face of his setback. While He rebuked him for being envious,
107
God told him if he had done the right thing his offering
would have been accepted, and then warned him of the
temptation that had come as a result of his envy. In this
account, God clearly shows the prize for doing the right thing
and the cost of having the wrong attitude in the face of a
setback. He also reveals that we need not see it as
competition when we find ourselves in the same activity or
struggle with a believer. Instead we should endeavor to
please a just God. If we do what is right, His ground is fair
and He will reward each one according to his deeds
(Ephesians 6:8). Similarly, when an aggrieved Job cried foul
to God, he was reminded that God is fair in all His ways and
inerrant in His judgment (Job 8:3-6). The Lord Himself
rebuked him, citing that he owed no one anything (Job
41:11).

It is also important that apart from the wrong attitude, Cain

also shows us what not to do when we find ourselves
lagging behind a believer. He demonstrates the price we
should not pay: We are not to be envious or even hateful.
And we are certainly warned that if we are we open
ourselves to stronger temptations like murder. It is indeed
instructive that later on the Apostle John warns against
hatred comparing it with murder (1 John 3:15).
Unfortunately, this is where many in the body of Christ are
today. I believe we need to return to the winning ways of the
Lord founded in love. To be sure, there can never be
anything like a believer being ahead or even against you. In
fact, when Jesus’ disciples sought to restrain a gentleman
from ministering in the name of the Master, He rebuked
them. As far as He was concerned, the gentleman was

108
fulfilling the divine will of the Father and therefore a
welcome partner in accomplishing the mission (Mark 9:38-
41). Believers should not compete as much as they should
compliment and support one another as we all seek to
glorify God. As such, all believers have the same goal – that is to
glorify God – and to be against a believer is to fight that goal.
Fortunately, Jesus actually premised the identity of those
who belong to Him on a cardinal principle that thoroughly
eliminates competition – that we love one another (John
15:12). Winning in love is the surest way to total victory.
In this regard, we all must assume the same attitude that
Paul had thinking only of those things that are noble, right,
pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praise worthy (Philippians
4:8). If we can forget those things that lie behind us and
focus not on those against us or even for us, but on those
things which lie ahead, then we will surely win our crown
(Philippians 3:13). No price is too high for victory if the
attitude is right. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

IS WINNING A GAME OF CHANCE?

I believe and have stated several times in this book that

everybody can win. The privilege is everyone’s heritage if
only we will take it up and trust God. The reality, however,
is that many fall short of the available privilege while a few
seize on their heritage. This disparity of victory and defeat
can be so puzzling that many wonder whether winning or
losing is really not a game of chance. When some attempt to
win and employ every principle and advice they can master
and still lose, they wonder: Could it be that fate rather than
commitment or divine providence is indeed the master of destiny?
109
Some believers even question God as to why they have lost
when they were faithful to Him. They query why they lose a
loved one, or a job, or a ministry yet in their estimation they
are faithful to God. Like Job, they query why God would
subject or allow a righteous man to lose. For many in our
generation, winning has become an elusive prospect. Too
many principles, too many methods, too many philosophies
have numbed many to the prospect of a sure means of
winning. Having tried everything from witchcraft to new
ageism, moved from conference to seminar, from one guru
to another, many aspirants for victory have expired. They
are tired and resigned to fate. The gleam has burned out of
their eye, the drive has waned, and they have lost their
tenacity and will to win. Sadly, we are witnessing a very
deceived generation resigned to fate and chance as
numerous trials have only yielded as many failures. But, can
one be sure of winning? Is there a sure way of winning? And just
what is this sure way? Where does one turn when so much has
been said and tried and so much has failed?

This book provides cardinal assurance that winning need

not be elusive when it is indeed very possible. I have sought
to confirm what was from the beginning, which many have
heard, seen with their eyes, which they have looked at and their
hands have touched (1 John 1:1). I am aware that many would
prefer some more sophisticated design for success or
cleverly invented theory for success. Those who have
expertise at supplying these human inventions have profited
incredibly to the chagrin of a desperate generation.
Unfortunately, many have suffered loss as these vain
traditions have proven futile. Knowledge has surely

110
increased as the word of God predicted, however, like
Solomon, the search for success and a sure methodology for
victory has instead brought them much sorrow and grief
(Daniel 11:45; Ecclesiastes 1:18). Sadder, are those who
should have known better. It is quite disenchanting that
many believers have fallen prey to these modern seductive
trappings of mere men. Reluctant to find the truth in God’s
word they have forsaken their glory for lying vanities (Jeremiah
2:11). But again, we must admit that Solomon could not have
been more perceptive when he observed that though times
change people remain the same (Ecclesiastes 3:15). Like the
scribes and Pharisees who sought success in the days our
Savior was among men, they have pursued everything else
and ignored the corner stone (Matthew 21:42).

The surest way of victory was, remains, and will always be

premised on God. Winning begins, is sustained, and is
completed by God. Any other way may seem right but the
end of it is destruction (Proverbs 14:12). The chief character
of this book – Jacob – is a testimony to the assurance of God
in the quest for victory. From the beginning to the end, his
account reveals the pivotal role God plays in guaranteeing
success. The problem for many is how to work together with
God in realizing victory. If the truth is told, walking with
God is indeed not a path to be taken for granted. It requires
a lot that many do not know. In this book I have labored to
share some of the critical principles that Jacob and others
like him applied in their story of success. Like Jacob, we
must learn to trust in God’s word and promises. We must
make covenant with God and keep it. We should not be
naïve and realize that our faith will be tested. Sometimes we
111
will experience the futility of wrong advice from juniors or
assistants or betrayal from those we expect to be our
patrons. In all incidents, we should be steadfast in our trust
that God will see us through even when we are cheated and
suffer incredible setbacks. At no time should we assume that
the struggle is over. It’s not over till its over. Short of the
victory nothing stops the game. And winning is not a game
of chance. It is a game of choice. A game of attitude in which
persistence wears out resistance. In this game we should stay
and never quit. If we endure to the end, victory will definitely
be ours. And, if you made it though this book, you’re definitely a
WINNER!

112