Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
The act of kindness is a selfless gesture that spreads warmth and compassion, lifting the spirits of both the giver and the receiver.
On December 18, 2024, a tragic stampede occurred during a children’s funfair at Islamic High School in Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The event, organized by the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation,
led by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, aimed to host up to 5,000 children, offering prizes such as scholarships.
The stampede resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, predominantly among children.
While the exact number of casualties varies across reports, some sources indicate that about 20 children lost their lives.
In response, the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde confirmed that the event organizers have been arrested,
and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.
Emergency services promptly transported injured children to local hospitals for treatment.
The state government has emphasized the importance of proper coordination and crowd control when organizing large events,
especially those involving children, to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
Our hearts are deeply saddened by this tragic loss,
and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this devastating incident.
May you find strength and solace during this incredibly difficult time.
We mourn with you and stand in solidarity as you navigate this unbearable grief.
And May the cherished memories of your loved ones bring comfort to your hearts.
No words can fully express the pain of losing a child, but please know you are not alone in your sorrow.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May the Almighty grant you the strength to endure this tragedy and give your loved ones eternal rest.
We pray for healing, comfort, and peace for all the families affected by this unimaginable loss.
This tragedy is a wake-up call for urgent reforms in event planning and crowd control.
The government must prioritize the safety of citizens, especially vulnerable groups like children, to prevent such incidents in the future.
Adequate measures, such as strict event monitoring, proper coordination,
and crowd control policies, must be enforced to ensure public safety at gatherings.
The government must hold event organizers accountable,
and ensure that future events are well-regulated to prevent lapses that lead to avoidable loss of lives.
While we commend the swift arrest of the event organizers,
we urge the government to set up preventive frameworks, including safety audits, to uphold the welfare of residents.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate proactive leadership by instituting long-term policies to safeguard lives and ensure justice for the victims of this tragedy.
Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
And to the event, organizer, the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation, led by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi;
We recognize and appreciate your acts of Kindness!
The act of kindness is a selfless gesture that spreads warmth and compassion, lifting the spirits of both the giver and the receiver.
There are a few biblical stories where acts of kindness intended for good turned tragic.
The Story of Lot and His Wife (Genesis 19):
In this story, Lot, the nephew of Abraham, shows kindness by offering shelter to two angels who visit Sodom.
When the wicked men of the city demand to harm the visitors, Lot tries to protect them by offering his daughters instead.
Though his intentions were to protect his guests, his offer was a tragic act that highlights the moral corruption and violence in Sodom.
Later, Lot and his family are warned to flee the city before God’s judgment,
but Lot’s wife looks back at the burning city and is turned into a pillar of salt, a tragic consequence of their escape.
The Tragic Story of King Saul and David (1 Samuel 24 & 26):
King Saul, initially showing kindness by taking David into his service, later turns against him due to jealousy.
Despite this, David continually shows kindness and respect to Saul, even when he has the opportunity to harm him.
On two occasions, David spares Saul’s life, showing mercy in the face of Saul’s pursuit to kill him.
Unfortunately, Saul’s jealousy and pursuit of David ultimately lead to his own death,
and the tragic consequences of this strained relationship are evident when David mourns Saul’s passing.
The Story of Job’s Friends (Book of Job):
In the story of Job, his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—show up after hearing about his suffering.
They initially show kindness by sitting with him in silence for seven days and nights, as a sign of solidarity in his grief.
However, they then begin to offer advice, arguing that his suffering must be the result of some sin, which Job vehemently denies.
Their kindness turns tragic as they misinterpret his situation, accusing him of wrongdoing when, in fact, his suffering is a test of faith.
In the end, God rebukes them for not speaking truthfully about Him, and Job is required to pray for them to be forgiven.
The Story of Absalom’s Rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18):
King David shows kindness to his son Absalom, who had initially been estranged after the murder of his brother Amnon.
David allows Absalom to return to Jerusalem, despite the seriousness of his past actions.
Absalom, however, betrays David by leading a rebellion against him to seize the throne.
David’s kindness and attempt to reconcile with his son ultimately lead to tragedy.
During the ensuing battle, Absalom is killed, and David mourns deeply, saying,
“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you!”
This tragedy demonstrates how a father’s kindness and hope for reconciliation can result in heartbreaking outcomes.
The Story of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7):
Uzzah, a man from the tribe of Levi,
shows kindness by reaching out to steady the Ark of the Covenant when it begins to tip over as it is being transported on a cart.
His action, though well-intentioned, violates God’s command that the Ark be carried by priests using poles, not by a cart.
As a result, Uzzah is struck dead by God for his error, even though his intent was simply to prevent the Ark from falling.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God’s instructions, even in seemingly noble acts.
In each of these stories, the acts of kindness, while well-meaning, were accompanied by tragic outcomes,
often due to misunderstandings, disobedience to divine law, or the complexities of human relationships.
These stories illustrate how good intentions do not always lead to good results and how divine justice can sometimes manifest in unexpected ways.
Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
John 16:33 KJV
[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.16.33.KJV
There are several women in the Bible who suffered greatly as a result of their genuine acts of kindness.
1.Ruth (Book of Ruth)
Ruth’s kindness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, is one of the most beautiful stories of sacrificial love in the Bible.
After her husband dies, Ruth refuses to leave Naomi and follows her back to Bethlehem, even though Naomi advises her to stay in Moab and remarry.
Ruth’s act of loyalty and kindness to Naomi leads her to a life of hardship, as she must work in the fields to provide for them both.
Despite her devotion, Ruth faces the challenges of being a widow in a foreign land.
However, Ruth’s faith and kindness are eventually rewarded when she marries Boaz, a relative of Naomi, and becomes part of the lineage of King David.
While Ruth’s act of kindness initially brought suffering, it ultimately led to a greater blessing.
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Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2)
Hannah’s story is one of deep sorrow and eventual joy, but her journey involved great suffering due to her kindness.
She was a woman deeply grieved by her inability to conceive a child, and her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, mocked her for her barrenness.
Despite the cruelty of her rival, Hannah remains faithful and kind, praying earnestly to God for a child.
When God grants her request and she bears a son, Samuel,
she fulfills her vow by dedicating him to God’s service, leaving him at the temple with the priest Eli.
Her kindness and devotion lead to personal sacrifice, as she willingly gives up her long-awaited son to serve in the temple.
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The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)
The widow of Zarephath shows kindness when the prophet Elijah arrives in the midst of a severe drought and famine.
She is preparing to make her last meal for herself and her son,
but when Elijah asks for food, she kindly shares what little she has, trusting that God will provide.
Her act of kindness results in her being blessed with an endless supply of flour and oil, but her story also includes suffering.
Later, her son becomes ill and dies, causing her great distress.
However, Elijah prays to God, and her son is miraculously revived.
Though her kindness brought temporary suffering, God’s intervention ultimately turned her tragedy into a testimony of His provision and power.
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Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 11:30-40)
Jephthah’s daughter is a tragic example of a woman whose life is drastically affected by an act of kindness and devotion.
Jephthah, a judge of Israel, makes a vow to God that if He grants him victory in battle, he will sacrifice whatever comes out of his house to meet him upon his return.
Unfortunately, his daughter, his only child, comes out to greet him, and he is forced to keep his vow.
While the Bible does not explicitly say that she was unwilling,
her story reflects the deep sorrow and loss she endured, despite her genuine kindness in accepting her father’s vow and fulfilling it.
Her kindness and selflessness are overshadowed by the tragedy of her premature death.
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Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Luke 1-2, John 19:25-27)
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of the most significant women in the Bible,
and her life is marked by acts of great kindness and sacrifice.
She accepts God’s calling to bear the Savior of the world,
despite the social stigma and personal hardship that comes with being an unmarried, pregnant woman in a conservative Jewish society.
She faces ridicule and hardship, and her kindness and devotion to her son Jesus result in her witnessing his suffering and crucifixion.
The pain of watching her son die on the cross was one of the greatest tragedies a mother could experience, yet she remained faithful.
Her kindness in accepting God’s plan and her unwavering support of Jesus brought her both blessings and immense suffering.
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The Woman with the Alabaster Jar (Luke 7:36-50, Matthew 26:6-13)
A woman, often described as a sinner,
shows great kindness and devotion to Jesus by anointing His feet with expensive perfume and wiping them with her hair.
Her act of kindness and worship causes controversy, as some feel it is a waste of resources.
Despite the harsh judgment she faces, Jesus commends her for her love and faith.
While her kindness is met with scorn from others,
it also shows the personal sacrifice she made in using such a valuable possession in such a humble act of worship.
These women exemplify how acts of kindness, devotion, and sacrifice sometimes lead to suffering.
They each faced significant challenges—whether through personal loss, ridicule, or deep emotional pain—because of their kindness or loyalty.
However, their stories also highlight the eventual redemption, blessing, and honor that God often brings from such suffering,
reinforcing the biblical principle that kindness and sacrifice are never without purpose in God’s plan.
Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
Lessons
The tragic occurrence of the stampede can be viewed through a biblical lens by drawing lessons,
offering comfort, and providing admonition based on Scripture.
Through biblical principles, we find comfort for those grieving,
a call to action for leaders to improve safety and governance,
and a reminder for everyone to live with wisdom, compassion, and accountability:
Comfort for the Bereaved Families
- Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
This verse assures all the grieving families that God is near to those who mourn and offers His divine comfort and peace during their pain. - Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
This reminds the bereaved that God is with them in their deepest sorrow and is ready to heal their hearts. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
We encourage the Families to find hope in God’s unfailing compassion and His ability to console those who suffer loss.
Lessons for Government and Society
- Proverbs 27:12: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of foresight and preparation, particularly for leaders.
The government must take proactive measures to ensure safety at public gatherings, especially for vulnerable populations like children.
- Exodus 18:21: “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials.”
Leadership and decision-making should be entrusted to those who act with integrity, wisdom, and care for the well-being of the people.
- Romans 13:4: “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.”
This verse encourages leaders to exercise their authority justly, holding wrongdoers accountable while creating systems that serve and protect the people.
There is Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
While the loss is heartbreaking, families and society should trust that God can bring purpose and restoration even from painful situations.
Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
This verse reminds us to lean on God as a source of strength and refuge in the midst of adversity.
Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
Call for Repentance and Righteous Living
Luke 13:1-5: Jesus addressed the tragedy of the Galileans killed by Pilate and reminded His listeners that such events should lead to reflection and repentance.
Tragedies can be seen as calls to turn to God, seek His wisdom, and evaluate how society can better live in righteousness and love.
Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This verse urges leaders and society to embrace justice, mercy, and humility, especially in times of crisis.
Also Read: Comfort. – Diademng
Kindness and Sacrifice are Never without Purpose in God’s Plan.
