Peniel 2007 News Commentary
(A/G Nigeria-NEWS): Sunday June 17, 2007
The weeklong National Revival Summit of the Assemblies of God Nigeria tagged Peniel 2007 will commence on the Monday 18th through 21st June, 2007. All roads will lead to the International Conference Center, aka The Evangel Camp, of the Church along Km 48, Enugu – Abakaliki Expressway. More than 100,000 persons from all walks of life are expected at this year’s conference whose theme is "From Glory To Glory!" Beehives of activities in preparation for the annual event at the Camp are being concluded. Among other things, free accommodation, security, 24 x 7 steady electricity and water supply have been put in place. The Peniel Series which started in 2003 is believed to be a period to see God face to face – to seek Him and have a special encounter with Him.
The Peniel experience is a commemoration of a sort. It recalls of Jacob’s encounter with the Angel of the LORD as recorded in Genesis Chapter 32. Seven very significant things constitute the hallmarks of the Peniel experience:
First, at Peniel a man is left a lone with God. He is allowed to personally encounter Him in a special way. Out of the hustle and bustle of a busy life and schedule, one leaves his or her home and business and to concentrate attention on the Person of God, seeking Him for a transformed life.
Two, as Jacob wrestled with the Angel at Peniel, the occasion affords the participants a quiet time to wrestle in prayer with the Almighty God. Peniel program is characterized with intensive prayers – personal devotional prayers and collective intercessory national prayers that call for divine interventions.
Thirdly, the Peniel experience reminds participants of the fact that no one encounters God without a "mark" on him as Jacob’s hip bone was disjointed. Everyone that encounters God genuinely would soon discover at the end of that something special has happened. The participant would discover that God has left a mark of this travail. Such mark may be more of a spiritual identity and personal covenant with God. The Apostle Paul had such encounter himself and in his epistle he would say "Leave me alone, for I have upon me the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ".
The fourth reason for being at Peniel is the uniqueness of changing the name. The name Jacob connotes a deceiver or supplanter. But after the Peniel encounter it was changed to Israel. This change is significant in the sense that Jacob was made a nation from a person, in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, his father – that He would make his descendants a great nation. It was at Peniel this promise was fulfilled and the nation of Israel, as it were was born. God changes names, character, attitude, destiny and life of participants who truly seek Him at Peniel.
Fifthly, at Peniel God submits Himself to be seen of men. No one sees God and lives. But at Peniel God came down in a visible form to Jacob. It was not in a trance. It was not a dream that Jacob had. It was a real experience. This can take place in any form God chooses. But the fact still remains that sincere seekers of God will find Him, when they seek Him with all their heart.
Again, a man’s life is preserved at Peniel. Jacob said: I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved. Lives are reinvigorated and strengthened when a man meets with God. Many participants at Peniel receive healing, deliverances, help and special divine interventions. These are the testimonies and hallmarks about the annual event. By this sixth reason, we are persuading and urging every family to be represented at Peniel this year.
Finally, the Angel blessed Jacob at Peniel and declared that he has strived with God and man and has prevailed. At Peniel sincere seekers are not only blessed but also declared Winners. Participants go home, after this experience with the blessing and determination of overcoming life.
Peniel 2007 is very unique because it is coming up at a time the nation is trying to recover from a traumatic democratic experience that seems to have shattered the political and social cohesion and unity we had before the April presidential and gubernatorial elections. It is coming at time the nation is at cross road with distrusts, deceit, corruption and insecurity taking the center stage of governance. At a time when the future is looking bleak and hopes are shattered, the Peniel 2007 is bringing a message of hope. The message is that Hope is not lost. Rather, like the eagle, God is renewing us again. He is revival us again. We are rather moving from one level of glory to another level of glory.
Truly, there could be no better time for the message of Peniel 2007. The nation must move on. The people must find hope in God and His Christ. We must find peace in the Prince of Peace. As we behold His face at Peniel, the Apostle Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18, assures us that "We shall be changed from Glory to Glory!"
From: Rev UcheChukwu Ama – Director of Corporate Ministries
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Peniel 2007 News Commentary |
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