FEMI FANI-KAYODE: ‘‘WHY DO YOU LOVE GOD?’’

People often ask "why do you love God?" And yet the answer is simple and clear. I love God because He is God: The creator of all that is, the master of the universe and the source of all power and life. He holds the world together by the power of His word. He is high and lifted up and He alone is worthy of our praise. I love Him because He became a curse just for me.

I love Him because He gave His life just for me. I love Him because He was afflicted with sickness just for me. I love Him because He was hated and became poor just for me. I love Him because He was scourged and scorned and rejected and beaten just for me. I love Him because He gave His son just for me. I love Him because He shed His blood just for me. I love Him because He suffered shame and pain and disgrace just for me. I love Him because He spoiled the principalities and powers just for me. I love Him because He rose again and conquered all just for me. I love Him because He paid the price and bought salvation just for me. I love Him because He is love itself. I love Him because He gave me hope, even in my shattered dreams. I love Him because His love for me is constant, faithful, unconditional and sure. I love Him because He is merciful and forgives me of all my sins. I love Him because He is tangible, not ephemeral and very real to me. I love Him because He accepts me just the way I am. I love Him because in spite of my weaknesses and imperfections He continues to fill me with His joy, His peace and His blessings. I love Him because He delivers me from my enemies and protects me night and day. I love Him because He gives me life and continues to preserve it.

I love Him because He leads me beside still waters and provides for me day after day. I love Him because He stills every storm and brings me to an expected end. I love Him because He anoints my head and lifts it up above my enemies. I love Him because He gives me health, he prospers me and He exalts my horn. I love Him because He enlarges my coast, He increases me and He scatters my adversaries. I love Him because His word strengthens me and continues to comfort and assure me. I love Him because He is everything to me and without Him I am nothing. I love Him because with Him I am everything and through Him I can do all things. I love Him because I know that He will never leave me or forsake me.

I love Him because he has given His blessed assurance and because His Holy Spirit fights for me night and day. I love Him because He is the Lord of Hosts and He alone is faithful and true. I love Him because He is the Man of War and He is mighty and irresistable and terrible in battle. I love Him because He is the Prince of Peace who comforts and soothes and brings joy, even in the most difficult situations. I love Him because He rules the universe and He brings judgment and destruction to those who oppose Him. I love Him because the nations of this world are as a drop in the ocean to him and it's princes and kings are nothing before Him. I love Him because the earth is His footstool. I love Him because He is the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley and the Balm of Gilead. I love Him because He loves me too and He has proved it over and over again.

My love for the Lord is very real and nothing is more important and precious to me. My soul proclaims loudly both night and day that His name be blessed and blessed forever. My spirit testifies as each hour passes that Jesus is Lord both now and always. My body displays His spleandour and His glory and by Him we are beautiful and fearfully and wonderfully made. It is for these reasons and much more that I will always love the Living God and that, like Joshua, I will forever proclaim that "as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord" all the days of our lives and from generation to generation. May all that resides in every sphere of existence, in the universe and in every realm, love and worship and fear the Lord, for He alone is worthy of our praise.

…Poem by Femi Fani Kayode. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode was former Special Adviser to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and later Minister of Aviation under Obasanjo leadership. He is currently aspiring to be Governor of Osun State in 2011.