Dr. Thamsing Lamkang
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne of my favorite childhood stories was the fight between David and Goliath. David was just a youngster, the youngest among many brothers, but he was well trained shepherding father’s sheep’s that made him brave and fearless. David was God’s chosen to be the future king of Israel. The other is Goliath, the strongest, biggest, and the tallest man of 9 feet from Palestine. I hope everyone is familiar with the greatest story of the Bible.
Probably, the same fight still continues even today between Israel and the Palestine’s (Hamas-the militants group). The war has its Biblical and Historic significance upon the two nations. It was a holy-war according to the Palestinians’ beliefs that they should never be defeated, while the innocent civilians mostly the women and children were affected in the war. Coming back to the story, we know how the story ends, Goliath was killed by a stone from David’s sling; and David also cut off Goliath’s head with his (Goliath) own sword.
It is probable that though their fight is against the physical giant, we can’t deny the fact that God’s favor was with David (Israel). No one could felt God’s presence; it was not visible for others to see except David. His faith in God and the past experienced of God’s power, he has already knew that the Spirit will fight for him!In relevance to our present context the fact is that there are so many ‘invisible giants’ the enemy will bring before you even today. What is the giant that is mocking you at the moment? Who is the ‘Goliath’ who makes you take a step backward? It could be anything your doubts, fear, evil, temptation or any satanic attacks. Whatsoever, the giants that confronts you, remember that it is not only attacking you, but it is also in opposition to the LORD!
David had learnt that God is more powerful than any other giants, because of that he dared to challenge the big Goliath. “The Lord will deliver him into my hands” he said. David also knew that God does not need a sword or spear to save him but he would do it with the power of the Holy Spirit. He said, “I come to you in the name of the LORD Almighty” 1Sam.17:45. We all know the ending of the story; it was not an ordinary fight of the individuals but of the nations for God’s glory. There is no giant that can confront the God of Israel as long as God is on their side. All will end up vanquished in front of God’s people or to those who has God’s favor.
Do the Nagas have God’s favor towards the fight for the cause? The 65 yrs old Naga political struggle with India is fast-slowing down by India’s decision makers. Why? The time has come to ask serous questions, why? Why the negotiators play a delay tactics? It is also vital to ask, “Are the Nagas fighting along with God or without God?” As the people and nation of the LORD Almighty, do we base our fights on the basis of “Nagalim for Christ” or without Christ at all? Are the Naga people making peace with God or just with India alone? Are the people fighting God’s way or their own selfish way? Is God on your side…?
The story of God’s servant and the liberator of Jewish nation from the bondage of Egyptian’s slavery, the great Moses- text found in Exodus 3:1-9. Moses grew up in the king’s palace in Egypt. He was very well equipped, trained and experienced. He had confidence in himself that he alone can save the people of Israel. He favors to set them free from slavery in Egypt, but he failed and even troubles his own life. His 40 years of training failed him; his high quality of education, his position of power, political clouts, and his passion for justice can’t be a help at all. He ended up counting sheep’s in the desert for another 40 years, barefoot and feeling helpless until he encountered God in a dry desert.
One day Moses met the LORD in the ‘Burning Bush’ that changed the whole story of his life and the story of the nation of Israel. “He was filled with a Divine Wisdom, knowing his mission, what to do, why he does, when to do, where and how to do.” He also knew when and where to utilize his abilities to save others for God. Since then, the rest are history but the future life of Moses is the demonstration of God’s power. His perspective changed; he didn’t trust in himself but trusting his leadership to God. As God’s representative the decisions he make are based on the will of God and the ways of God.
What about the Naga revolutionaries, who fought for people’s freedom? As people of God, do we have to fear giant India its might and power? No, Naga people should never doubt to win the battle but win only in God’s perspective. As we know India is one of the largest Democratic countries in the world, also the fastest developing nation, but India is also a threat to many other giant countries, especially to the Communist regimes and even to America. India will soon be more powerful and stable economically, and also security well secured. Comparatively India is a huge giant for the Naga people, but India should not forget that the God of the Nagas is the LORD Almighty. The Communist nations such as China and Russia; they are the giants after the United States. However, big they are, it is nothing to be compared with the smaller nations to whom God favors. India might be a giant for the Naga’s, just like the story of David and Goliath. It’ll never be easily possible with the military might, but only with our spiritual might!
The LORD can easily deliver Nagas from giant India, but only when God is on Nagas’ side. India should rather prepare to let the Nagas free before the God of the Naga’s strikes back in total destruction of their secured future. The Nagas should never try to face India by their own strength but in the powerful name of Jesus, the LORD Almighty.
Many Naga Revolutionaries may even think to bring the political freedom in their own strength and power, just like the liberator Moses. They don’t seem to care what is needed most to battle with India. Many leaders may not realize the need of God’s hands, to be freed, but without much thought, “We Will Fight” is their motto, and it carries straight to destruction and the delayed tactics rather than freedom. How important it is to really consider the most important needs as God’s people to fight the battles.
We should allow God to fight, and every Naga people must directly or indirectly joined together in the Spiritual Fights/battles for the cause (irrespective of denominations) through prayer in every churches and homes. We must pray and commit the cause into the hands of the LORD, and proclaimed God’s Promises for the Naga nation. The revolutionaries must put their past differences behind, and together to put the political situation into God’s hand. Then only Naga people can be able to say to India, “Naga people come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty”. And then the outcome of the battle is in the LORD’S hand.
We cannot leave the Naga masses behind, uninformed on the political issues. Every Naga people must participate in the process through prayer. But what do we pray for? Who can provide the specific prayer needs to the church? Let there be division, its ok that’s the world politics. But as God’s people Naga people must unite in Christ; when the people, “Praise and Worship the LORD in one accord, praying and crying for the cause it could be so powerful to move the heart/hands of God.” We must have faith, and that faith should work. We do not sit still because we trust, but we arouse ourselves, and expect the Lord to work through the Nagas for the world mission. If all Nagas were united spiritually in praying for the cause God will surely do something for the Nagas, why not?
It is not ours to worry and do evil, but to trust and do good: “We neither trust without doing, nor do without trusting”. The adversaries would even think to root us out, if they could; but Nagas stands by trusting and doing what God says and what He wants of the people. We are not so easily to be got rid of as India suppose. They cannot thrust us, nor stamp on us: where God has given us a name and a place, there we abide forever. “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shall be fed” Psalm 37:3.
We all know and many have even experienced the love of God and His compassions to the Naga people. God is more willing to solve the Naga issue but its people are always divided and ungodly, never been together as God’s people. Let the people be divided politically, but let the people unite together spiritually towards God, as God chosen people for His glory and honor.
We must always remember our spiritual significance, why God placed the Naga people right in the middle of 10/40 windows, surrounded by all the major religions (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Atheism) of the world. God placed the Nagas in a very strategic location for His mission to accomplish. This (God) mission strategy should be our “First Commitment to God”. Once we become God’s own country, we can become a channel of blessings for His mission.
Mercy may seem slow, but it is sure. The LORD in unfailing wisdom has appointed a time for the outgoings of His gracious power, and God’s time is the best time. We are in a hurry; the vision of the blessing excites our desire, and hastens our longings; but the Lord will keep His appointments. “He never is before His time; He never is behind”. God’s Word is here spoken of as a living thing which will speak, and will come. It is never a dead letter, as we are tempted to fear when we have long watched for its fulfillment. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” Hab.2:3.
“However big a nation, event or situation appears, it can never be as great as our God Himself”. We need God to fight in favor of the Nagas. Let God’s own people be reconciled for His glorious manifestation!
‘GOD WILL SOON BLESS HIS OWN NAGA NATION’
Blessings for HIS people…
