Walk with god through difficult times – King

His Majesty King Mswati III has called on the nation to remain steadfast in their faith and to walk closely with God through all seasons of difficulty, declaring that the nation’s greatest breakthroughs will come from spiritual commitment rather than human intervention.

Addressing the nation at Mandvulo Grand Hall during the end-of-year thanksgiving prayer service, His Majesty said the country must draw nearer to God to unlock the miracles, protection and favour already declared over the kingdom.

The service, held under the theme: “Sing a new song for the Lord has done marvellous things among us,” was graced by Their Majesties, the former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila and his family, former Botswana President Ian Khama and Pastor Mark Burns, spiritual advisor to the President of the United States Donald Trump. Members of the Zulu royal family, clergy and dignitaries from across the region also attended.

His Majesty opened by expressing joy at the collective spirit of thanksgiving, describing the gathering as ‘a blessing from above’. Turning to the message of the day, the king said he had searched for a scripture to anchor his sermon, eventually choosing one centred on the theme of ‘Breaking free from the prison of the mind’. Many people, he said, remained trapped by fear, doubt or adversity, preventing them from recognising God’s power in their lives. “A lot of people are held back by situations that make them think God is not real. I want to encourage those among us today that when you are faced with a tumultuous situation, lift your eyes to the Lord,” said the King.

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His Majesty emphasised that thanksgiving symbolised the kingdom’s belief that the year must both begin and end with God, and that divine presence was found by those who seek Him diligently. “For God to appear in our lives, we must seek Him. The Word says if we want to see God, we must step up, praise Him and say hallelujah,” stated the monarch. His Majesty said miracles witnessed in the country and during the day’s service were not by chance, but by the grace of a God, who responds to those who draw near to Him.

He warned that people often allowed their problems to overshadow the workings of God, preventing them from seeing breakthroughs that were already unfolding. “We have heard of His miracles since we arrived here at Mandvulo. Had we wasted time concerning ourselves with the problems that engulf man, we would not have heard these great miracles, but because we have drawn ourselves closer to God, we have seen great breakthroughs,” he stated.

The king, therefore, urged Emaswati engulfed by hardships to turn fully towards God, reminding the nation of declarations made from the pulpit earlier in the service, including bold prophecies that Eswatini would become ‘the pulpit of Africa’ and that the kingdom would attract wealth in extraordinary measure.

“Someone may ask where this money will come from, but if God has given His favour, nothing will stop His declaration,” His Majesty said, putting emphasis on the fact that God’s attention was not brought through requests for favours, but through genuine commitment. The King also highlighted that visiting pastors had made strong declarations without being told what to say, which he described as evidence that God intended to use the moment to speak to the kingdom.

“God knew that He would bring pastors from afar to make very strong declarations of a mighty change, and that is a favour from God that we should not take for granted,” said the king.

The monarch added that God’s love for the nation was visible throughout the year, as many challenges had been overcome through divine protection. “Once God takes you as His own, He will guard you jealously. Those who think they will have success in harming you will fail. Nothing will consume you,” he said. On that account, His Majesty urged the kingdom to pray earnestly, not only for itself, but for homes, workplaces and the unemployed, stating that declarations made during the service had reinforced that Eswatini’s problems ‘will be a thing of the past’ through the grace of God.

Drawing on the biblical story of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, His Majesty said believers must continue worshipping even when thrown into fire. The three men, he said, were punished for their commitment to God, yet God stood with them. “When the time came to be thrown into the flames, they continued worshipping God, so as you walk through any fire in your life, continue to worship. No scorpion will kill us. Even though weapons are put in our way, those who believe in God will walk through the fire,” said the King.

His Majesty also spoke of moments when life feels like a storm at sea, describing a time when a boat he was travelling in was thrown about by rough waters. Remembering God’s presence, he said, brought calm amid fear. “When the waves roar, they bring fear, but I remembered that I am walking with God,” stated the monarch. He used the illustration to remind Emaswati that God was the one who quietens storms, including those created by human intentions, emphasising that some hardships were ‘man-made fires,’ including malice and witchcraft, yet those who walk with God cannot be overtaken.

The king rounded off the uplifting sermon, which saw him break into song numerous times, by encouraging the nation to remain joyful, prayerful and steadfast, declaring that the Holy Spirit was touching every corner of the kingdom.

“We move out renewed today. God will protect us, and the Holy Spirit is touching all those in pain, all those suffering and all those in difficulty,” His Majesty said.