We all know the promise of God in the Bible that says “Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God”. We all are waiting for the time to be blessed. However, the question is whether we did quit looking for solution everywhere and focused on God. It is human not to give up solving our problems on our own. It is easy to look to other nations and try to copy their strategies. However, our destiny is tied to God. Our refuge is God. He is our only way out. The sooner we come to realize this reality and turn our hearts to God – the better for us. Otherwise, we keep on marching on the same road in the same direction – 3,000 years and counting. 

It is an honor to have a promise from God. Therefore, we may want to know more ways of understanding our promise. Then as we respond to God, He is faithful and just to do what He promised. I can’t find a better thing than a sure promise from God. History is true to show us the rise and fall of civilizations. The only lasting One remains to be God. We need to consider ourselves lucky to have our hope and future reside in God. Our bleak reality is only a proof that no one except God can restore and bless us.  

First, there is the breaking phase – kneeling and stretching hands to God. We come to realize we are nothing and have nothing apart from God. In that sense we kneel down and stretch our hands to God. We come to terms with our mistakes and shortcomings. We decide to change direction from the road of destruction to the path of restoration. We say no to selfish ambitions. We say sorry to each other and to God. We stretch our hands to God to receive mercy and grace to move forward from our predicament. We give up our destructive ways and surrender to God and His ways. We stretch our hands to God hoping that our deliverance come only from God.  

Second, there is the healing phase – standing and stretching hands to God. When the Lord responds to our stretching while kneeling down – we come to experience the stretching while standing up. When we get out of our ego trap and find the real meaning of life in Him, we become free. God then moves within us and among us to do things the right way – His way. When we are at peace and in love with ourselves, with our Creator, and each other – we begin to rewrite history as never before. Ethiopia becomes a loving village – a place of peace, joy and celebration. God blesses the people in the things no amount of money can buy. The nation that was once the symbol of suffering becomes a fountain of healing. That is why Ethiopia rises up from kneeling and stretches out her hands to God in order to receive healing and blessing from the Lord.  

Third, there is the destiny phase – leaping and stretching hands God. Ethiopia will leap with joy by stretching her hands to God in order to give praise and glory to the Lord. When we have amazing peace and become an instrument of peace for others – we are glorifying God by leaping and stretching thereby showing the God factor. When we reach out to the hurting world to meet physical and spiritual needs – we are glorifying God by leaping and stretching thereby letting God minister through us. When our exceptional leaders grow up to be founding fathers for union and harmony of the new Africa – we are leaping and stretching thereby showing nothing is impossible with God.

Zelalem Eshete, Ph.D.