RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

NATO ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine mean war – Medvedev

The deployment of “peacekeepers” from NATO member states to Ukraine would trigger an all-out war between the military bloc and Moscow, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned.

In recent weeks, the leaders of the UK and France have ramped up discussions about such a mission.

In a post on X on Sunday, Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, stated that French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer “are playing dumb.”

“Time and again they are told that peacekeepers must be from non-NATO states. No, we will send tens of thousands – just lay it out – you want to give military aid to the neo-Nazis in Kiev,” Medvedev charged.

“That means war with NATO. Consult with [US President Donald]Trump, scumbags,” he concluded.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously similarly argued that the deployment of NATO military personnel to Ukraine, even under the guise of peacekeepers, would be tantamount to the “direct, official, undisguised involvement of NATO countries in the war against Russia.”

Earlier this month, Starmer announced that Britain and France were ready to lead a “coalition of the willing” to provide military support to Kiev, including the deployment of troops and aircraft. Speaking following an emergency summit in London, he said that “not every nation will feel able to contribute, but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency.”

“The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others,” Starmer further clarified.

Macron said Western troops would arrive in Ukraine only if and when the situation on the ground was safe for them.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the meeting along with several other leaders, stressed that “the presence of Italian troops in Ukraine has never been on the agenda.”

In contrast, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that Ottawa was considering all possible options and was not ruling out sending troops to Ukraine.

Reiterating his readiness to deploy British military personnel to the conflict zone, Starmer told Parliament earlier this month that this effort would be contingent on securing US backing.

On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told DR radio that “if it comes to the point where a European presence is needed for a ceasefire or peace agreement to be reached, then Denmark is in principle prepared for that.”

Commenting on the prospect of NATO troops arriving in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that such a development would be “completely unacceptable to us,” citing the ramifications it would have for Russia’s national security.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russian troops battle last Ukrainian forces in Kursk region

Russia battled on Sunday to drive the last Ukrainian soldiers from western Russia, Russian officials said, after a seven-month incursion by Ukraine that aimed to distract Moscow's forces, gain a bargaining chip and rile President Vladimir Putin.

In one of the most striking battles of the three-year-old Ukraine war, Ukrainian forces smashed their way across Russia's western border in Kursk last August, marking the biggest attack on sovereign Russian territory since the Nazi invasion of 1941.

But a lightning offensive this month has reduced the area under Ukrainian control to about 110 square km (42 square miles), down from the more than 1,368 square km (528 square miles) claimed by Kyiv last year, according to open source maps.

Yuri Podolyaka, one of the most influential pro-Russian military bloggers, said Russia had pushed back Ukrainian forces to the border in some areas, though intense battles were underway and that Ukrainian forces were fighting back as they retreated.

Battlefield maps from both Ukraine and Russia showed two joined pockets of Ukrainian forces on the Russian side of the border in Kursk. Russia said it was clearing large numbers of mines in the area.

After a public appeal by U.S. President Donald Trump last week to spare "surrounded" Ukrainian troops, Putin said on Friday that Russia would guarantee the lives of Ukrainian troops in the region if they surrendered.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday his troops were not surrounded but sounded the alarm over what he said could be a new Russian attack on Ukraine's northeast Sumy region, which borders Kursk.

The influential Two Majors pro-Russian military blogger said the battlefield gains of Russian forces had allowed Russia to threaten Sumy, but cautioned that Ukrainian forces had been bolstering defences there for some time.

Putin has accused Ukrainian troops of carrying out crimes against civilians in Kursk, something Kyiv denies. Ukraine says as many as 11,000 North Korean troops are fighting with Russia in Kursk, though Russia and North Korea have refused to give any details on North Korean troops there.

The fierce battle for the Kursk region has framed efforts by Trump to end what he says is a "bloodbath" war that could escalate into World War Three.

CEASEFIRE?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has left hundreds of thousands of people dead and injured, displaced millions, reduced towns to rubble and triggered the sharpest confrontation for decades between Moscow and the West.

The U.S. agreed on Tuesday to resume military aid and intelligence sharingwith Ukraine after Kyiv said it was ready to support Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

Putin said on Thursday Russia supported the truce proposal in principle, but that fighting could not be paused until a number of crucial conditions were worked out or clarified.

Putin has repeatedly said that he is ready to talk about peace though Ukraine will have to declare it will not seek NATO membership and Russia will keep all of the land that it claims in Ukraine, including some it does not control.

Russia has paid a heavy price for the invasion.

U.S. intelligence estimates say more than 100,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured, according to a 2023 assessment, while the economy has been heavily distorted by record defence spending and the toughest Western sanctions ever imposed.

Ukraine has also seen more than 100,000 troopskilled or injured, according to leaked U.S. intelligence estimates. Its economy has been shattered. One-fifth of its territory is under Russian control, and Kyiv has been unable to defeat Russia's forces despite receiving more than $260 billion in Western aid.

In the week in which former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai abandoned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to chart a different political trajectory with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), his son, Bashir, characteristically made it known that “Southern Kaduna residents will keep seeing sheghe if they continue to attack indigenous Fulani herdsmen.” 

Three things about this, among many, were chilling. One is the absence of any interest in addressing the underlying problem of coexistence between communities. The second is the enthusiastic investment in violence. The third is the indiscriminate nature of the promised violence. This was not the first time that an outburst of candour from the el-rufai clan was laced with unconcealed thirst for human blood. 

In January 2019, as the country prepared to go to the polls in a presidential election the following month, the administration of Nasir el-Rufai’s political benefactor, Muhammadu Buhari, guillotined then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. The manner and timing of the decision drew very sharp international rebuke. In response, Governor el-Rufai went on national television to warn that any foreign observers perceived as meddling in the elections “will go back in body bags.” As influential continental news magazine, Africa Report, delicately put it, these were the words of a man who had “previous on the 'anti-meddling' approach to diplomacy.”

This “‘anti-meddling’ approach to diplomacy” appears to be a family investment. Abubakar Idris was a committed supporter of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who lived in Barnawa, in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. From there Idris, who was better known as “Dadiyata”, engaged in vigorous criticism of the ruling APC, one of whose founders happened to be Nasir el-Rufai. 

On or about 2 August 2019, Dadiyata vanished. He has not been seen since then. A digital visibility campaign to help locate his whereabouts continues under the hashtag 

#WhereIsDadiyata. Four and a half months after Dadiyata disappeared, on 23 December 2019, Bashir el-Rufai ominously tweeted: “The same clowns who encouraged him when he was creating false stories and capitalizing on lies that could endanger lives solely for political ends are the same individuals trending hashtags asking #WhereisDadiyata. Dangerous lies in the public space have consequences.” 

Less than three months later, on 11 March 2020, Bashir’s brother, Bello, currently a member of the House of Representatives, went one better with an even more chilling gloat in poor verse: “The things that we’ve done to protect the name are unsettling. But no regrets though, the name’ll echo. Years later, none greater. Death to a coward and a traitor, that’s just in my nature!”

At his inauguration as Kaduna State governor in May 2015, el-Rufai identified insecurity as “an obstacle to progress” and promised to “work with law enforcement officials to drastically reduce violent crime” and “insure safety of life and limb.” By the time he left office eight years later, he had achieved the exact opposite.

Forgetting this promise, el-Rufai as Governor brooked no criticism or opposition. No cruelty was considered beyond the pale for them. For daring to disagree with him, el-Rufai demolished the homes of the Zonal vice-chair of his party, Inuwa Abdulkadir; and of his Senator for Kaduna North, Suleiman Hunkuyi.

He was only just beginning. His regime compiled a jaw-dropping list of body bags. Some, like Dadiyata, disappeared, never to be seen again. Others, like Maiwada Raphael Galadima, Agwam Adara III, paramount ruler in Kajuru, turned up dead or decapitated. The Agwam Adara was ostensibly returning home from a consultation with the state government on a crisis in his domain when he was abducted. Abducted with him, his wife was released after the abductors murdered her husband. The Governor was missing from his funeral. After his burial, el-Rufai swiftly abolished his kingdom and purported to divide it up into emirates.

Under el-Rufai and by appointment of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State attained “notoriety as the deadliest state for Journalists in Nigeria to operate.” They were not the only endangered species. The strategic research group, SBM Intelligence, concluded also that “Kaduna was the most dangerous state for priests, who were often kidnapped during services.”

His signal accomplishment was to displace Boko Haram from the top of the league of atrocities. This was no easy feat. In May 2014, the United Nations Security Council listed the 

Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad, (the Islamist insurgency better known as Boko Haram) as a terrorist organization. Three years earlier, the Gaji Galtimari Presidential Committee on the Security Challenges in the North-East Zone of Nigeria had reported that the group “started as an innocuous non-violent group” around 2003. 

Since then, Borno State, the epicentre of Boko Haram’s atrocities habitually topped the national league table of mass-casualty killings in Nigeria. The monitoring coalition, Nigeria Mourns, reported a peak of 6,138 atrocity casualties in Borno State in 2015. Over the next five years, casualty count in Borno State appeared to drop off quite significantly. 

Over 760 kilometres away from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, in Kaduna, the historical capital of northern Nigeria, it almost appeared as if the State government led by el-Rufai was envious of Borno’s position. In 2015, when Borno State hit the peak in atrocity killings, Nigeria Mourns recorded 411 casualties in Kaduna State. By 2020, this had risen to 628. In Borno State in the same year, the count was 1,176 killed.

In 2021, el-Rufai’s Kaduna State overhauled Borno to take over the top position in the national body-count of mass-casualty atrocities. That year, Nigeria Mourns recorded 587 killed and 119 abducted in Borno State. In Kaduna State, it counted 1,114 killed and 1,225 abducted. In 2022, at least 1,346 were abducted in Kaduna State. The comparable figure for Borno State was 77.

To be sure, Kaduna State had a well-advertised history of chronic violence dating back to the 1980s and accounting for tens of thousands killed over the period. Under Nasir el-Rufai however, virulent executive bigotry drove the state beyond the edge through methodical segregation. Leena Hoffman captured the depth of Kaduna’s crisis of sectarian segregation under him: “the river that runs through the city of Kaduna, the state capital, highlights the starkness of the divide: the northern half is unofficially called Mecca; the south, Jerusalem.”

The most intense site of chronic mass-casualty atrocities in Kaduna State was Southern Kaduna, which is characterised by linguistic and ethnic diversity coexisting with a high concentration of the State’s non-Muslim populations. For many people, there was only one explanation for the exponential spike in mass-casualty atrocities in Kaduna State – the State governor, el-Rufai. His administration was widely “accused of a conspiracy of silence” in support of the murderous campaign of extermination in Southern Kaduna.

In one of his earliest acts as governor, Nasir el-Rufai sought exculpation for bandit pastoralists from the chronic massacre in Southern Kaduna, claiming that he had already “spent government money to pay Fulani herdsmen to stop violence in southern Kaduna.” About the armed “bandits” who were to emerge as the fall guys for the violence, Governor el-Rufai later described them as “just collections of independent criminals. It is a business for them.” 

When el-Rufai stepped down from office in 2023, mass-casualty atrocities in Kaduna crashed spectacularly. Nigeria Mourns recorded 413 atrocity killings in Kaduna and 393 abductions. The only thing that appears to have occurred to bring about this transformation was a change in the occupant of the office of Governor. 

In January 2017, an audio emerged in which he gloated over the untimely death in 2010 of former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his high school contemporary at Barewa College, Zaria on whom he had also visited unrestrained bile in his memoirs. Columnist, Farooq Kperogi, observes that El-Rufai “embodies one of the most morbidly toxic strains of political intolerance in Nigeria. He exteriorises his discomfort with opposition by literally wishing death upon his opponents or claiming credit for their death.”

Bloodlust such as this can never be slaked. Out of power today, el-Rufai seeks to re-brand himself as an ecumenical politician invested in pluralism. Those who make the mistake of jumping into political bed with him will have themselves to blame.

** A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Isabella Chase

Picture this – you’re in a room full of people, and someone walks in with the latest iPhone model.

Do you find yourself impressed? Or maybe it’s not a high-tech gadget, but a fancy car or a designer handbag that catches your eye.

Let’s face it.

We live in a world where material possessions often speak louder than words. They’re seen as an extension of our personality, a reflection of our status.

But really, who are we trying to impress?

Interestingly enough, you may not be aware, but these so-called ‘status symbols’ might only be turning heads among the middle class.

Now hold on!

Before you start questioning your taste or the value of your prized possessions, let me assure you – this isn’t about demeaning anyone’s lifestyle choices.

Instead, it’s an invitation to question – “Are we valuing the right things?”

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at seven such ‘status symbols’ that, believe it or not, might only be impressing those in the middle-income bracket.

Quick heads up!

The intention here isn’t to create disparity or fuel class wars. Rather, it’s to challenge our perspectives and perhaps even redefine what success and status mean.

So, buckle up. This is going to be an interesting ride.

1) Luxury cars

Picture this.

You’re walking down the street, and a shiny new Mercedes-Benz zooms past. You can’t help but turn your head and admire the sleek lines, the gleaming paint job, the emblematic three-pointed star.

Impressed?

Many of us would be. After all, owning a luxury car is often seen as a surefire sign of having ‘made it’.

But here’s the catch.

In reality, luxury cars are more of a middle-class fascination. Why? Well, numerous studies suggest that the ultra-wealthy don’t necessarily invest in high-end cars.

Surprised?

Instead, they’re more inclined to put their money into assets that appreciate over time—real estate, stocks, businesses—rather than something that depreciates the moment it hits the road.

Take a moment to ponder on that.

Does it make you see that gleaming Mercedes in a slightly different light? Perhaps it even invites you to reconsider what real wealth looks like.

And remember, wealth is not just about what you own, but also about how smartly you invest.

So the next time you see someone in a luxury car, don’t be too quick to equate it with ultimate success. It’s just one aspect of wealth – and perhaps not even the most important one.

2) Designer clothes

Let me share a personal anecdote.

A couple of years ago, I found myself at a high-profile business event. Everyone was dressed to the nines. You could spot Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton labels from a mile away.

I couldn’t help but feel out of place.

There I was, in my simple but well-tailored suit, sans any designer logo. I felt as though I was missing the unofficial uniform of success…until I met James.

James, a self-made billionaire, stood out not for his clothes but for his personality and intelligence. Guess what? He wasn’t wearing any designer brands either.

In fact, he once told me something that stuck: “I don’t wear my wealth. I invest it.”

The point is, designer clothes might impress the middle class, but the truly wealthy know that spending money on expensive brands isn’t necessarily a smart investment.

So next time you’re tempted to buy that Gucci belt or Prada bag to impress others, remember: true wealth isn’t worn; it’s invested and grown.

3) Extravagant vacations

We’ve all seen them – those picture-perfect Instagram posts of luxurious vacations. Crystal clear waters, overwater bungalows, champagne brunches – the works.

It’s easy to scroll through these images and feel a pang of envy.

But let’s get real.

These extravagant vacations? They’re not as glamorous as they seem. Behind those well-curated photos is often a mountain of debt or a severely depleted savings account.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to see the world or enjoy a bit of luxury.

But when it becomes more about showing off on social media than the actual experience, that’s when you need to step back and reevaluate.

It’s ironic but true – the people who can truly afford these extravagant vacations aren’t flaunting it on Instagram. They’re too busy enjoying the experience itself, away from the public eye.

The truly affluent understand that wealth isn’t about impressing others with how much you can spend, but about how much you can save and invest. They know that memories made are more valuable than any Instagram post.

So next time you feel a tinge of envy scrolling through your feed, remember that not everything that glitters is gold.

And real wealth? It’s rarely displayed in an Instagram feed.

4) Expensive watches

Ever noticed how fancy wristwatches tend to draw attention?

It’s no secret.

A Rolex or a Patek Philippe on someone’s wrist often elicits admiring glances. To many, an expensive timepiece is more than just a device that tells time – it’s a symbol of success and status.

But here’s an interesting fact.

Many of the world’s wealthiest people often opt for simpler, less ostentatious timepieces. Take Bill Gates, for instance. Despite his immense wealth, he’s often seen wearing a simple, functional watch.

What does this tell us?

Possibly that the truly rich don’t feel the need to display their wealth on their wrist. They understand that real success doesn’t need to be paraded – it’s not about what’s on your wrist, but what’s in your bank account or investment portfolio.

So next time you see someone sporting an expensive watch, remember – it might be more of a status symbol for the middle class. True wealth doesn’t need flashy accessories to validate it.

5) Living in a big house

There’s a common perception that a big house equals big success. From sprawling suburban homes to city penthouses, size often matters when it comes to our living spaces.

But did you know?

Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, still lives in the same house he bought in 1958 for a mere $31,500. It’s far from a sprawling mansion – just a comfortable home in a quiet neighborhood.

The truth is, many truly wealthy people don’t feel the need to live in massive houses just to show off their wealth. They understand that true wealth isn’t about living large, but about living smart.

The size of your home doesn’t determine your success.

And more importantly, a big house often comes with big bills – and that can be an unnecessary drain on your resources.

So think twice before equating success with square footage. The truly wealthy know that real riches don’t always come with a big key.

6) Dining at expensive restaurants

There’s a certain allure to dining at high-end restaurants. The ambiance, the gourmet food, the exclusive wine list – it all feels very sophisticated, doesn’t it?

But let me share something with you.

Some of the best meals I’ve had weren’t at Michelin-starred establishments, but at simple, unpretentious eateries where the focus was on good food and genuine interactions.

You see, dining at expensive places can sometimes become more about the experience or the social status they confer than the food itself.

The genuinely wealthy individuals often understand this. They can appreciate a good meal, whether it’s at a fancy restaurant or a small family-run bistro. They value authenticity and quality over price tags.

So don’t feel pressured to dine at expensive places to fit in or impress others. Good food is good food, whether it comes with a hefty bill or not.

And the people who understand this? They’re often the ones who truly understand the value of money.

7) Fancy parties and events

Here’s the most important thing you should know.

Fancy parties and events, often filled with glitz and glamour, might seem like the playground of the rich and successful. But in reality, these events are often more about show than substance.

True wealth is not about rubbing elbows at high-profile events or being seen at the right parties. It’s about building solid relationships, investing wisely, and living a life that aligns with your values.

So next time you see pictures of extravagant parties, remember – the truly wealthy don’t need a flashy event to validate their success. They’re too busy building genuine connections and growing their wealth in meaningful ways.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been nodding along while reading this article, there’s a chance you’ve been looking at wealth and status through a distorted lens. And trust me, you’re not alone.

But here’s the silver lining – recognizing this is the first step towards change.

We live in a world that often equates success with material possessions. But true wealth is more than just what meets the eye. It’s about financial intelligence, smart investments, and lasting value.

Reflect on this – what does success mean to you? Is it about flashy symbols that impress others, or is it about building a life that aligns with your values?

Remember, Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest people in the world, still lives in his modest home from the 1950s. His life serves as a reminder that true wealth is not about show but about substance.

It’s time to redefine success and wealth in our own terms. After all, the most meaningful status symbol is living a life true to oneself. Now that’s something worth striving for.

Global English Editing

A price war between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has led oil marketers to reduce their purchasing volumes amid mounting losses from rapid price reductions.

The competition began in November 2024 when Dangote lowered petrol prices from N990 to N970 per litre, followed by further cuts to N899, citing holiday relief for Nigerians. NNPCL responded by matching the N899 price at its outlets.

The price cuts continued into 2025, with Dangote reducing prices to N890 in February and then to N825 per litre by February 27. NNPCL countered with a N860 per litre price at its retail outlets on March 3.

While consumers have benefited from these price reductions, oil marketers are suffering significant losses, estimated at N2.5 billion daily and N75 billion monthly.

"The ongoing price reduction is affecting oil marketers negatively because we are losing money," said Hammed Fashola, National Vice President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). "Not buying large volumes of PMS is the only way to play it safe because when you buy in bulk, the price may drop again."

Marketers are now purchasing smaller quantities they can sell within a week to minimize potential losses from further price drops.

Adding to the competitive landscape, the landing cost of imported petrol dropped to N774.82 per litre on Tuesday, below Dangote's ex-depot price of N825. This decline follows Brent crude falling to $70 per barrel and U.S. WTI crude to $66.70 by March 12, down from February's prices of around $76 and $69 respectively.

In response, Dangote reduced its price further to N815 per litre. Fashola suggested prices could fall to as low as N500 per litre if crude drops to around $40 per barrel and the naira strengthens below N1,000 per dollar.

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria's petrol imports increased 105 percent in 2024 to N15.42 trillion. Despite concerns about local refinery viability, Fashola supports continued imports as a check against monopolistic practices.

Financial analyst Bismarck Rewane noted that the price war will only continue if global oil prices keep falling. "If the price of crude increases again, which nobody can predict, we will see an increase in the price of petrol. It is not in the hands of the refiners but on the global oil market."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

With reports from Punch

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has revealed that he and other political leaders were aware of the controversies surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University but chose to support his 2023 presidential bid based on his track record as Lagos State governor. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai expressed disappointment in Tinubu’s performance as president, stating that the administration has failed to meet expectations.

El-Rufai explained that despite concerns about Tinubu’s alleged certificate scandal, they believed he could replicate his Lagos achievements on a national scale. “We knew about his Chicago issues, but we thought if he could do for Nigeria what he did for Lagos, we would support him. However, he has failed,” El-Rufai said. He emphasized that their support was rooted in Tinubu’s past governance, which transformed Lagos into a thriving economic hub.

The former governor also addressed his recent departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing a divergence in values with the ruling party. El-Rufai called on opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and others, to unite under the SDP to salvage the country. “What I want and pray for is for all opposition leaders—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—to join the SDP,” he said.

El-Rufai dismissed accusations of betraying Atiku Abubakar, recalling their past disagreements during the Obasanjo administration. He clarified that their conflicts were based on principle rather than personal animosity. “I never betrayed Atiku. If I had, why would we be together now?” he asked, highlighting their current alignment in opposition politics.

Regarding his political future, El-Rufai downplayed speculation about a 2027 presidential run, stating that such decisions rest with his party and the people. “It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people that will decide,” he said, recalling how former President Muhammadu Buhari had persuaded him to run for governor in the past.

El-Rufai’s comments come amid growing criticism of Tinubu’s administration, particularly after the Senate declined to confirm him as a minister in 2023. El-Rufai has been vocal about his dissatisfaction, accusing Tinubu of deliberately excluding him from his cabinet. His remarks underscore the deepening fractures within Nigeria’s political landscape as opposition figures seek to regroup ahead of the next election cycle.

The Chicago State University certificate scandal, which has lingered as a contentious issue in Tinubu’s political career, continues to cast a shadow over his presidency, even as his former allies like El-Rufai express regret over their initial support.

President Donald Trump launched large-scale airstrikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday, vowing to put an end to their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. The strikes, which killed at least 24 people, mark the most significant U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office in January.

In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump declared that he had “ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen,” calling them a threat to American and global security. “They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones,” he wrote.

Trump also blamed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for not acting aggressively against the Houthis. “Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going,” he wrote. “It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden.” He warned the Houthis directly: “YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”

Casualties and Widespread Strikes

At least 13 civilians were reported killed and nine others wounded in airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, according to the Houthi-controlled health ministry. Another 11 people, including four children and a woman, died in an attack in Saada province, Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported. The strikes also hit a power station in Dahyan, a known meeting location for Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, causing a blackout in the area.

Residents described the attacks as devastating. “The explosions were violent and shook the neighborhood like an earthquake. They terrified our women and children,” said Abdullah Yahia, a Sanaa resident.

A U.S. official told Reuters that the military campaign is expected to last weeks, targeting Houthi infrastructure across Yemen. The strikes were carried out in part by fighter jets from the USS Harry S. Truman, currently deployed in the Red Sea.

Iran Warned as U.S. Escalates Response

Trump also put Iran—the Houthis’ main sponsor—on notice, warning that any further support for the group would have consequences. “If Iran threatens the United States, America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!” he stated.

A Pentagon spokesperson revealed that since 2023, the Houthis have launched 174 attacks on U.S. warships and 145 attacks on commercial vessels in the region. The group says its actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi condemned the U.S. airstrikes, accusing Washington of fueling conflict in the region. “End support for Israeli genocide and terrorism. Stop killing of Yemeni people,” Araqchi wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the strikes, signaling potential diplomatic maneuvering as the U.S. pressures Iran while also engaging with Moscow.

Houthis Vow Retaliation

Despite the strikes, the Houthis remain defiant. “Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation,” the group’s political bureau said. The Houthis also announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea, following a temporary pause after the Gaza ceasefire in January.

Geopolitical Tensions and Nuclear Talks

The U.S. military action comes just days after a letter from Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was delivered, seeking negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Khamenei swiftly rejected the offer.

Western intelligence agencies warn that Iran is accelerating uranium enrichment, bringing it closer to weapons-grade levels. While Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, U.S. and European officials say there is no civilian justification for such high levels of enrichment.

As tensions rise, Trump has signaled a willingness to escalate military operations if necessary. “The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” he declared.

With the strikes underway and further escalation possible, the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with global shipping, regional security, and U.S.-Iran relations all hanging in the balance.

Freed Israeli hostage speaks for the first time about his 505 days of surviving Hamas hell

After surviving nearly a year and a half deep underground, with barely enough air to breathe and no light, and sharing an 18-square-foot space with three other men, recently released hostage Tal Shoham shared with Fox News Digital his harrowing story of captivity at the hands of Hamas.

Shoham was forcibly taken from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023. His wife and children, ages four and eight, were also kidnapped that day, but he didn’t know that when he was thrown into the trunk of a car and driven into Gaza by Hamas terrorists. He didn’t even know whether his family was alive; hoping to save them, he surrendered to the terrorists just before they set fire to the house where his family was hiding. 

He would spend the eight-and-a-half months in an underground tunnel and another five months captive in five different houses deep inside Gaza, where his captors kept him shackled, starved him and deprived him of basic human comforts.

But he gave himself a mission: He was determined not to lose his humanity. Even in moments when he feared that he was facing death, he tried to stay focused. "I am not a victim. Even if this ends, I will end it with my head high, looking death in the eyes. They won’t break me, and I will not surrender to self-pity. We are stronger than the other side," he said.

It has been three weeks since he came home, and he is ready to speak. Kibbutz Be’eri is just nine kilometers — about five-and-a-half miles — from Gaza, but that short distance is practically an ocean between what he describes as two worlds. "Half-an-hour’s drive, two separate worlds," he said. "The first — unbelievably surreal, cruel beyond reason. And just 30 minutes away [on this side of the border], a world of sanity, logic, dignity and compassion."

He remembers every detail of his 505 days in captivity. Tal wants to tell his story for the sake of the two fellow captives who remain behind, starving, abused and at constant risk of death. "Just as someone emerges from a womb alive, I emerged from the tunnel I was held in and was born again," he says. But the men he calls his "brothers," Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, are still held underground. "I can’t sleep at night knowing they are still there," he says.

Tal and his wife and children had come from the north of Israel to Kibbutz Be’eri to spend the Simchat Torah holiday with his wife’s parents and were in the home when the terror attack began. He said everyone entered the safe room, and as the sounds of gunfire drew closer, they tried to barricade themselves inside. But the terrorists pried open the window, and Tal feared they might toss in a grenade if the family did not surrender. On the same street, the terrorists set fire to every other home, burning the people inside alive.

"I went out and raised my hands," he said. "A man with murder in his eyes led me onto the road and to a vehicle. I saw about 40 heavily armed terrorists. Some of them were filming me on their phones. I was in shock — there was an entire battalion of Hamas terrorists inside our kibbutz, bodies of people I knew who were murdered on the ground, and they are laughing, unafraid."

The terrorists threw him into the trunk of a car and drove him across the border, into Gaza. There, a crowd gathered. "Teenagers with sticks ran toward me, trying to beat me from all sides," he says. Taking him from the car, his captors pointed a rifle at him, ready, he believed, to execute him, and tried to force him to kneel. "I said, ‘I can’t control whether you kill me or not,’ and I raised my hands — but I refused to kneel. ‘If you want to kill me, kill me, but you will not execute me like ISIS.’"

He was then paraded through the streets in what he described as a "victory march." "They were shouting, ‘Soldier! Pig! Zionist!’ A mob gathered around, boys with wooden clubs trying to hit me. But I just waved and smiled. I didn’t show fear. ‘You’ve captured me, but you won’t see terror in my eyes.’"

34 Days of Isolation

He was first taken to the home of a family, where he was held, alone and always shackled, for 34 days. Though he was allowed to periodically shower, the captivity was otherwise severe.

His food was strictly rationed. "For the first three days, I had pita bread. Then, they stopped giving me that," he says. "Food supplies dwindled. Some days, I would receive three spoons of avocado and three dates, or half an orange from a tree in the yard."

But the worst torment was not knowing whether his family was alive. "I am 40 years old. Never in my life have I experienced suffering like this. The isolation, being alone with relentless thoughts —that was worse than even extreme hunger."

To endure, he made a heartbreaking decision. "I had to accept that my family was dead," Tal says. "I sat on the floor and imagined myself at their funeral. I stood in front of a grave — one large for my wife, and two small for my children — and I eulogized each of them. I thanked them for the time we had. I told them to move on. I sobbed but didn’t let my captors see me cry. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done — burying my family in my mind."

505 Days In Hell

On the 34th day of his captivity, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal were brought to the home. The Hamas terrorists tortured them daily, hitting them, denying them food while eating in front of them. The hostages were allowed only about 300 calories a day — Shoham's weight dropped from 174 pounds to 110 pounds when he was released — and speaking was forbidden. "We couldn’t move from our beds or talk. We whispered everything," he said.

Then came some glimmer of hope. On the 50th day of his captivity, Tal received proof of life from his wife — a letter telling him she and the children had been held hostage but were being released. "I read it, my hands shaking," he said. "The most important thing had happened — my family was safe. I didn’t need to be a father and husband protecting them anymore. Now, I could focus on my war, the one I knew how to fight, the one for survival."

The Tunnel

By June 2024, Tal, Guy and Evyatar were moved by an ambulance that Hamas used for discreetly transporting hostages, to an underground tunnel, where there already was another captive, Omer Wenkert. There were four mattresses on the floor and a hole in the ground for a toilet. The space was illuminated by a single, dim lightbulb. "It took me weeks to stop feeling like the walls were closing in, to adapt to the oxygen deprivation," Tal says.

They were given just 300 milliliters of water a day — a little more than 10 ounces. They could use it to either drink or wash their hands. Rice was all they had to eat. Months passed. They were beaten, monitored by cameras, randomly deprived of food and sleep. The guards were Hamas tunnel diggers — digging every day, even as war raged above. "Hamas never stopped digging tunnels," Tal Says. "Not for a single day."

The conditions were so bad that both he and Evyatar developed severe infections. But it would be months before a doctor would come to see them. "My leg turned blue, yellow, and purple with internal bleeding," He recalls. "They gave us all blood thinners, fearing we might develop clots from prolonged immobility. Eventually, they realized the issue was malnutrition and provided us with vitamin supplements for seven days. It tasted like dog food, but it dramatically improved our condition."

But the abuse continued. A new guard arrived, even more violent than the previous ones. "He made some of us kneel like dogs and beat us," he says. "He would come in screaming that we were filthy Jews, hit us, and then 10 minutes later, he would smile and bring food."

Then, what seemed like a miracle. Tal and Omer were named as part of the hostage-release deal in February. When he was led outside after many months underground, still blindfolded, he felt moisture on his face. "Is it rain?" he asked. "No," his captors responded, "’It is dew.’ And I realized, my name, Tal, is ‘dew’ in Hebrew. I felt the morning dew on my skin."

There were humiliations to come before he was handed over to the Red Cross and returned to Israel: a procession on a stage in the heart of Rafah where he was forced to repeat Hamas propaganda.  But he said he didn’t care — he was going home. When he arrived in Israel, he was taken to the Re’im base, where his wife, Adi, and their two children, Nave and Yahel, were waiting for him. "It was a dream come true, yet it still felt like a dream," Tal says. "It took a few days to fully grasp that it was real. It was hard to take in. The emotions flooded me, like I was floating above everything."

And there was tragic news to absorb. Eleven members of Tal’s family were kidnapped or murdered on October 7. Adi’s father, Avshalom Haran, and two uncles, Lilach and Evyatar Kipnis, were killed. His mother-in-law, Shoshan Haran, was taken, along with two other relatives — Sharon Avigdori and her daughter, Noam Avigdori — who were later released in the first hostage deal. Two other relatives who had come from the United States to celebrate a birthday, 59-year-old Judith Raanan, and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, were also kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.

And there was joy. During his captivity, four new babies were born into the family. "Among us, the Jewish hostages, there was purity," he said. "There was dignity. The terrorists brought in whatever horrors they wanted, inflicted whatever cruelty and pain they could, imposed their inhumanity on us. But within our space, we preserved our inner cleanliness, our humanity between one another. And that was crucial to making it out unbroken."       

Fox News

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia, Ukraine continue air attacks with ceasefire prospects uncertain

Russia and Ukraine continued aerial attacks on each other, inflicting injuries and damages, officials said early on Sunday, as the fate of a proposed ceasefire to the three-year-old war remained uncertain.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he supported in principle Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine but that his forces would fight on until several crucial conditions were worked out.

Both sides have since traded heavy aerial strikes, and Russia moved closer on battlefield to ejecting Ukrainian forces from their months-old foothold in the western Russian region of Kursk.

Early on Sunday, three people were injured, including a 7-year-old, in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian border region of Belgorod, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on the Telegram messaging app.

Two of them were injured after a drone hit their house, sparking a fire in the Gubkinsky district of the region, while the other person was injured in a drone attack on the village of Dolgoye, Gladkov said.

Alexander Gusev, governor of the southwestern Russia region of Voronezh, said on Telegram that air defence units had destroyed more than 15 Ukrainian drones over the region. There was no immediate reports of injuries or damage, Gusev said.

The acting governor of the southern Russian region of Rostov said defence units repelled an overnight drone attack on the region, with no injuries or damage reported.

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In Ukraine, authorities reported several Russian drone strikes, including on the northern region of Chernihiv, where firefighters were battling a blaze at a high-rise building that was sparked by Russian drone attack, Ukraine's state of emergency service said.

Ukrainian media reported a series of explosions in the region surrounding the capital Kyiv, after Ukraine's air force issued warnings of a threat of drone attacks on the Kyiv and a number of other central Ukrainian regions.

By 0300 GMT on Sunday, there was no official information about potential damage in the Kyiv region.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Dozens of Ukrainian drones shot down over Russia – MOD

Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 126 Ukrainian drones across various regions overnight, the Defense Ministry has reported. Most of the UAVs were neutralized over Volgograd and Voronezh regions.

According to the Telegram channel Shot, the attack aimed at Volgograd included up to 20 explosions, reportedly targeting a local oil refinery. Regional Governor Andrey Bocharov reported on Saturday morning that drone debris caused a small fire which was quickly extinguished, and confirmed there were no injuries or damage to infrastructure.

In Belgorod, residential buildings sustained damage from drone-launched explosives, with reports of broken windows and fires sparked by debris. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said no one was injured in the attack, according to preliminary data.

On Tuesday morning, Kiev launched a major multi-wave attack on several Russian regions, with Russian air defenses intercepting 337 drones, including 91 over Moscow Region. The assault resulted in the deaths of three civilians and left several others injured.

Shortly after the attack, US and Ukrainian representatives met in Saudi Arabia, where they released a joint statement proposing a 30-day ceasefire to Moscow.

On Friday, hours after a meeting between US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow repelled another Ukrainian drone attack.

Reuters/RT

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him ~ Acts 10:38.

Introduction:

God is the Constant Helper of His anointed, most especially, when they rely on His power and avail themselves of it. The Omnipotent God defends them, and He constantly exerts every effort in their favour.

It is worthy of note that, in spite of all the battles that David fought, his enemies were never able to prevail against him. Rather, he decisively subdued every opposition that rose up against him, including Saul’s persecution, Absalom’s rebellion and Sheba’s conspiracy.

The Philistines, the Ammonites and the Syrians united their forces to crush David, but in vain. God beat them before his face, and vigorously plagued his foes. Even the struggles made by the partisans of the house of Saul after his death, only tended to call forth David’s skill, courage and prowess, and sat him more firmly on his throne.

Friends, our enemy today is the devil, and he will continue to fail in our lives, in Jesus’ Name (Matthew 13:39). Notwithstanding, we must maximize our spiritual advantages in the Holy Ghost who came to dwell within us since the first day of the Christian Pentecost.

God the Father is the Anointer, Jesus Christ is the Baptizer, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, whose anointing signalizes God’s presence in human flesh, accomplishing what man cannot do for himself (Acts 10:38).

The anointing of the Holy Spirit is one of the very few things that have no substitutes here on earth. It makes all the difference in shaping our lives as believers, and it ushers in God’s marvelous grace and glory, which make the anointed man the man to beat, any day!

Those who receive the Holy Spirit anointing are made alive unto God. Hence, the anointed believer is rightly referred to as lively stones in the spiritual house of God (1Peter 2:4-5).

The anointing is the springboard for the gifts, the wisdom and the grace from above, to qualify the anointed for his assignment in the body of Christ. Hence, factual wisdom dictates that, whatever we may possess, we must endeavor to get the anointing.

What Happens When the Holy Spirit Comes?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God’s might. He is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient and universal. Thus, when the Holy Spirit comes, real power comes (Acts 1:8).

Power is very pertinent to life. It is man’s eternal pursuit because our performances here are largely defined by it. Hence, the constant pursuit for financial power, social power, political power, spiritual power, etc. However, the highest form of power that any man can ever experience is the Holy Ghost power.

The important question now is: how do you know for sure that you have received the Holy Ghost? The litmus test is in your zeal for the things of God, your eagerness to please Him and to see Him glorified in your generation, your willingness to pay the price for His great outpouring upon your life, and your readiness to evangelize more and give more to promoting His kingdom on earth (Psalms 110:3).

Yes indeed, when your love for the things of God outstrips your love for elemental things of the world, then we can say you are in for a genuine encounter with His power.

Secondly, when the anointing comes, true impacts show up. Emphatic yes, the greatest use of one’s life is to spend it on things that will outlast it. It is not how long we live that matters but how full and how well, and the real value of life is computed not by its duration but by its donations.

Impact simply suggests making a mark! Real impact creates multiple changes in the life of the targets: in their pursuit of God, in their lifestyles and general attitudes to life, in their finances, etc.

Your impact defines the quality of your significance to other people in your world, and the good you’re able to deliver to their lives. But, this can only be accomplished in its finest sense when you are truly connected to and utterly dependent upon the Holy Spirit. It takes the Holy Spirit to bake the peculiar supernatural bread for others to eat.

Thirdly, when the Holy Spirit comes, God’s Presence is experienced in strange ways.

In 1 Samuel 22:23, David counseled his footmen to abide with him if they wished to enjoy safety. I believe he said this because he was fully aware of the powerful anointing that God had released upon him, which equally served as a protective edge around his life.

From the Jewish records, David fought many battles; he was never defeated, neither was he wounded nor taken a prisoner of war. King Saul even cast a javelin at him twice, but missed him both times (1 Samuel 18:11). Despite all the efforts of Saul to eliminate David, it was Saul that went down for him (1 Samuel 31:4). Alleluia!

The Holy Spirit comes with incredible divine intervention (Psalms 114:1-8). The earth even trembles and the hills melt at His presence (Psalms 97:5). No wonder then that David prayed, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me” (Psalms 51:11).

Ashdod will never forget in a hurry the power of God’s mighty presence demonstrated against her “national god”, Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1-7). At the end of the episodes, the lords of the Philistines were compelled to appease God with trespass offerings (1Samuel 6:17).

When the Holy Spirit comes, He brings divine assistance, making oppression to cease and securing God’s mercy as our constant companion. He dramatically increases our winning strength and empowers us to enter into new levels of influence and inheritance (Psalm 89:17-24).

When the Holy Spirit comes, He provokes high favour to make the provisions of the covenant more pronounced in the lives of every practicing covenant Christian (Psalm 89:27-28). It is the anointing of His presence that raises successors to perpetuate the works of the ministry (Psalm 89:29).

O, what a sweet anointing of the Holy Spirit! It is very important for Christian believers to give it all it takes to truly attract His powerful presence into our lives.

The Holy Spirit comes into purposeful believers, like David, who are sold out unto the Lord, serving and seeking to glorify Him in all ways (Psalms 89:20). He also delights greatly to make His abode in holy vessels, who keenly seek His power in the place of prayers (Hebrews 1:9).

Beloved brethren, our God is still looking for people to use! Will He find you as He found David? Or, will He reject you as He rejected his elder brothers? If the Lord will trust us with the sweet anointing of His Spirit, we must demonstrate our genuine love and faithfulness to Him, forthwith. Happy Sunday!

____________________

Archbishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Connect with Bishop Akinola via these channels:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bishopakinola

SMS/WhatsApp: +234 802 318 4987

The law not only discriminated against women, it considered them less valuable than men:

“When a man consecrates by a vow certain persons to the Lord, according to your valuation, if your valuation is of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. If it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels.” (Leviticus 27:2-4).

The rape of virgins was condoned. Moses directed Israel concerning Moab:

“Kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman who has known a man intimately. But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.” (Numbers 31:17-18).

After decimating Benjamin with an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to them, the men of Israel kidnapped 400 virgins of Jabesh Gilead. (Judges 21:10-12).

God also sanctioned discrimination against the handicapped:

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron, saying: ‘No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God.’” (Leviticus 21:16-17).

Slavery

The Law of Moses approves slavery:

“From the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves.” (Leviticus 25:44-46).

It even approves the selling of children:

“If a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.” (Exodus 21:7).

Death Penalty

God passed a death sentence on most transgressions. The killing of witches was divinely approved:

“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.” (Exodus 22:18).

He told the Israelites to stone anyone who worshipped the sun, moon, or host of Heaven. (Deuteronomy 17:2-7).

Mass slaughter was sanctioned as punishment for unfaithfulness to God:

“Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.’” (Exodus 32:27-28).

When a man was arrested for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day, God told Moses:

“The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” (Numbers 15:35).

God prescribed genocide for those whose land He forcibly gave to the Israelites:

“Of the cities of these peoples which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, you shall let nothing that breathes remain alive, but you shall utterly destroy them.” (Deuteronomy 20:16-17).

Children were slaughtered while livestock were spared. (Deuteronomy 3:6-7).

The Bible even details an example of cannibalism:

“This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ So, we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.” (2 Kings 6:28-29).

Reconciliation

The question then is this: “How can we reconcile a good and righteous God with these terrible acts?” Unlike Christian apologists, God does not whitewash them. Instead, He claims full responsibility saying:

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7).

Strange Goodness

The God of the Holy Scriptures does not conform to human expectations of goodness. A good man does not tell his son to marry a prostitute, as God did with Hosea. (Hosea 1:2).A good man does not instruct his servant to walk around without their trousers for three years, as God did with Isaiah. (Isaiah 20:2-4). A good man does not put diseases on people. (Exodus 15:26). A good man does not kill off millions of his children over 40 years in the wilderness, as God did to Israel.

If Jesus were a good man as men call goodness, He would not be despised and rejected by men. (Isaiah 53:3). He would not call his friend Peter “Satan.” (Matthew 16:23). He would not call a woman who came to Him to be healed a little dog. (Matthew 15:25-26). He would not keep company with disreputable people. (Matthew 9:10-11). He would not take sides with a woman caught in adultery. (John 8:3-11). He would not deny His own mother and brothers. (Matthew 12:47-50).

He would not pronounce woe on His adversaries and call them whitewashed tombstones. (Matthew 23:27). He would not tell some Jews that the devil is their father. (Matthew 8:44). He would not smash the wares of sellers in the temple but would just ask them to leave. (Matthew 21:12-13). He would not ask a man who has been sick for 38 years if he would like to be healed. (John 5:6). He would not heal just one man and leave so many others unhealed. (John 5:3-13).

Righteousness of Man

Because men truly have difficulty with the goodness of God, Jesus presents a parable in which a man says to God:

“I was afraid of you because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.” (Luke 19:21).

God’s goodness became doubtful at some point to David, he asked God:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” (Psalm 139:7-8).

As for Jonah, he tried to run away to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. (Jonah 1:3).

When Jeremiah ended up in prison despite God’s assurances, he accused God of deception outright:

“O Lord, You deceived me when You promised me your help.” (Jeremiah 20:7).

Since God is righteous, Jeremiah wonders why the way of the wicked prospers. He asks:

“Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” (Jeremiah 12:1).

Habakkuk is disgruntled with God’s goodness:

“Evil men swallow up the righteous and You stand around and watch!” (Habakkuk 1:13).

The psalmist has the same complaint:

“Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3).

But the worst of all is Abraham, who had the effrontery to try to teach God righteousness. When he realised God would soon destroy Sodom, he asked:

“Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).

As for Job, he acknowledges that God is not good all the time, He brings the good as well as the evil. (Job 2:10). Nevertheless, after having lost his children, his wealth, and his health, he asks God accusatorially:

“Why do the wicked live and become old, yes, become mighty in power? Their descendants are established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.” Job 21:7-9).

Presumptuous Sins

God answers Job angrily:

“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:8).

Since Job was acting like a know-it-all, God asks him:

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!” (Job 38:4-5).

Elihu counsels Job:

“Do you know the mind and purposes of God? Will long searching make them known to you? Are you qualified to judge the Almighty? He is as faultless as heaven is high- but who are you? His mind is fathomless- what can you know in comparison?” (Job 11:7-8).

Isaiah asks:

“Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14).

Paul is even more categorical:

“Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question?” (Romans 9:20).

The truth is that the wisdom and knowledge of God are too deep for man to fathom. His judgments are unsearchable and His ways past finding out. (Romans 11:33). There are far too many things about the knowledge of God that are simply beyond man’s pay grade. As David admits:

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6).

Thus, Paul says:

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” (1 Corinthians 3:18-20).

Trust God

God is not answerable to man for His actions:

“Why do you contend against Him? For He does not give account of any of His actions. [Sufficient for us it should be to know that it is He Who does them.]” (Job 33:13).

“Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, Israel’s Creator, says: ‘What right have you to question what I do? Who are you to command Me concerning the work of My hands?’” (Isaiah 45:11-12).

We do not have to understand why God does some of the strange things He does. All that is required of us is to trust Him. The wise man says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Only God is wise. (Romans 16:27).

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.” (Psalm 145:17).

As for us:

“We know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10).

When perfection comes, we will discover that there is always a good and righteous reason for everything God does. That is why we give thanks to Him in everything. (1 Thessalonians 5:18). By faith, we know that God works all things together for good. (Romans 8:28).

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