IS PROTESTING RIGHT?

Dearly Beloved, IS PROTESTING RIGHT? “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2 NKJV). For over two weeks, there have been nationwide protests against police brutality and bad governance in Nigeria. Initially, the protests were peaceful and well organized and coordinated. However, some days ago, suspected hoodlums hijacked the protests and started destroying and looting properties. Unfortunately, the Nigerian government could not handle the situation as there were video evidences that the government allegedly hired thugs to disperse the peaceful protesters, and when this did not work, government security operatives allegedly started killing defenceless protesters. The attitudes of the nation's political leaders especially the long silence of the president of the county do not help matter. In spite of the fact that I joined the protests online and made my stand known on some social media platforms, I did not have any intention to base my weekly devotional message on the unfortunately events. However, a post in a WhatsApp group condemning the peaceful protests on the ground that it is against a religious tenet is making me to look at the matter biblically. Does the Holy Bible support bad governance and inhuman actions against fellow humans? Do people have rights to make known their demands to, and protest against the constituted authorities? Are we to remain silent in the face of injustice and bad governance because we want to be obedient to the power that be? Christians are called to be a light in the darkness of the world. They are to speak up for those who have no voice. It is the opinion of some people that protesting is a sign of disrespect for authority. Nevertheless, Christians are also to call out and condemn evil and sinful behavior, injustice and bad governance. While the Holy Bible teaches in many places that Christians should submit to those in authority and obey the laws of the land (see Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14), the sacred Book also admonishes Christians to speak up against injustice and bad governance (see Proverbs 31:8-9; Romans 12:9; James 4:17). Let me round up this message by a word study on the last word in the key verse quoted above: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people GROAN” (Proverbs 29:2 NKJV). The word “groan” as it is used here means to mourn, to sigh, to complain, to protest! Christians as well as other people under bad governance have been groaning (protesting) inwardly for a long time! The recent public protests in Nigeria are the manifestation of the private groaning that has been going for years because of bad governance of successive governments in Nigeria. It is right to protest and speak out so that the government will know that people are suffering. While I commend the peaceful and well-coordinated protests by the Nigerian youth for over two weeks, I sternly condemn the forcefulness the government tried to stop the protests and the looting and destruction of properties by hoodlums. IT IS RIGHT TO HAVE PEACEFUL PROTESTS. I SAY NO TO BAD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA AND IN ANY OTHER PLACE! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, the hearts of people in governance are in Your hands. Lead them to govern the people rightly.