The Apostle Paul is recognized for authoring the majority of the epistles found in the New Testament, and biblical accounts indicate that he stands as the most significant Apostle utilized by God throughout Christian history.
Initially, however, he was known as the principal adversary of the church, engaging in acts of violence and lawlessness against the congregations of his time.
Despite the evident shortcomings of both King David and Apostle Paul, God chose to employ them in achieving some of the most remarkable accomplishments documented in the scriptures.
This notion is reinforced by the scripture in Matthew 19:26 (KJV), which states: “Jesus beheld them and said unto them, with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
A particularly pivotal event in scripture that mirrors the situation of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is God’s choice to utilize King Cyrus, a non-Judeo-Christian monarch of Persia, to safeguard His people, the Jews.
Although King Cyrus was not of Jewish descent, God empowered him to facilitate the return of the Jews from exile to their homeland. Isaiah 44:28 (KJV) declares, “That saith of Cyrus, He is My Shepherd and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, thou shalt be built; and to the temple, thy foundation shall be laid.”
Furthermore, Isaiah 45:1-6 (KJV) provides the following account regarding King Cyrus: “[1] Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; “[2] I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.”
I will bestow upon you the treasures hidden in darkness and the concealed wealth of secret places, so that you may recognize that I, the LORD, who have called you by your name, am the God of Israel.
For the sake of my servant Jacob and my chosen Israel, I have called you by your name; I have designated you, even though you do not know me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides me.
I have equipped you, although you have not acknowledged me. This is so that they may understand from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is no one besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
It is noteworthy that God referred to King Cyrus as “His Anointed,” a title traditionally reserved for the Messiah, His Son Jesus Christ. This indicates that God intended to empower King Cyrus through His Spirit to carry out significant geopolitical actions for the benefit of His people, the Jews.
Furthermore, it is significant to note that God chose to use King Cyrus, despite the fact that “he has not known Him.” The scripture states, “I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isaiah 45:4). In a similar vein, the author believes that God has anointed and empowered Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and current Vice President of Ghana, to effect change in Ghana’s political arena as a Muslim in a predominantly Christian country.
God is capable of completing the construction of the National Cathedral through Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (DMB). Historically, when the Jews returned from exile, the grand temple built by Solomon had been destroyed.
Two of the returnees, Zerubbabel and Joshua, initiated the rebuilding efforts. Later, Herod, a Gentile King, took on the task of rebuilding the temple, although it took considerable time before it was finished. God can utilize any leader whose heart is aligned with His will to accomplish His purposes.
I propose to all Christians and Muslims that the God we both profess faith in has the ability to utilize anyone at His discretion and in His own timing. In the opinion of the author, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is among those individuals whom God has chosen to advance Ghana towards a period of prosperity, remarkable transformation, and exceptional development.
