The Supervising Bishop of Ibadan, Oyo State, Rt. Rev. Titus Olayinka, has urged Christians to embrace goodness and mercy as divine companions for life’s journey.

Mr Olayinka, who is also the Bishop of Ogbomoso Diocese, gave the advice on Sunday at the 21st Jesus Festival Harvest Thanksgiving of Ibadan Anglican Diocese in Ibadan.

Preaching on the theme “Goodness and Mercy,” with text from Psalm 23: 6, the cleric said that life was a journey and God never intended man to walk alone.

He said that children of God, who followed God and worked with God through faith in Christ, had divine assurance of constant companions.

Mr Olayinka emphasised that goodness as a companion brought favour, provision, open doors and divine opportunities, citing Genesis 26:19-22.

He said that Isaac dug wells but faced contention before God brought him to Rehoboth, a place of enlargement and room.

“When goodness follows a person, in spite of opposition, spiritual, physical, financial or human, God will take them to a place where the hands of the enemy will not reach them.

“When you are a genuine follower of God with goodness and mercy following you, God will take you to your Rehoboth; you will possess your Rehoboth without being stranded,” he said.

He declared that any form of opposition would not prevail when goodness followed a person.

On mercy, the Bishop described mercy as the companion for preservation and restoration.

He quoted Lamentations 3:22, saying that it was by the Lord’s mercies that we were not consumed, emphasising that mercy spoke when a person was down.

Using Apostle Peter as illustration, he said that though, Peter denied Jesus and failed, mercy restored him and gave his ministry a second chance.

“Where you have failed, mercy will give your story another chance; your story will not end in shame. When mercy follows you, your past does not have to determine your journey,” he said.

Mr Olayinka led the congregation in a prophetic declaration, urging worshippers to grab goodness and mercy as servants that would follow and work for them wherever they go.

The Anglican bishop further urged the congregation not to underestimate anyone.

“God can use anyone to bring goodness into your life. You are loaded with what it takes, you are loaded with the benefits of salvation,” he said.

He prayed for a release of abundance upon the people.

The 21st Jesus Festival Harvest Thanksgiving, which featured rallies, praises, prayers, ministrations, etc, was attended by clergy, lay leaders and faithful across Ibadan Anglican Diocese. 

(NAN)