Put on Your Sackcloth, It’s Time to Repent

 

How can we know when a nation is under judgment? One of the clear signs of judgment is when its people turn against each other in violence and oppression (Isaiah 3:5). Many times, when we think of judgment, we envision dramatic destruction—like the fire that consumed Sodom and Gomorrah. When we don’t see such events, we wrongly assume that judgment has not fallen.

But those who are spiritually awake will discern the subtle signs of judgment that are eroding a nation. Kenya, for a long time, has been under God’s judgment, yet we have hardened our necks. This stubbornness has delayed the prophesied revival that is meant to sweep across our land. So, how can we tell that Kenya is under judgment?

Leaders Reflect God’s Judgment

God often judges a nation by giving it the leaders it deserves. In Proverbs 28:28, it says, “When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.” In 2022, when the current regime was campaigning, it presented itself as a government that knew God, promising Kenyans that their lives would change. Yet, like Saul and Ahab, this regime has done the opposite. The cries of the people are growing louder.

False Prophets Flourish

Another sign of judgment is the increase in false prophets preaching peace and prosperity. Just as in the days of Jeremiah and Micaiah, these false prophets outnumber the righteous, refusing to honor God. Jeremiah 23 and 1 Kings 22 detail how, despite impending judgment, false prophets preached safety. Today, we see similar patterns: the regime sponsors false revival crusades, and the First Lady surrounds herself with preachers who claim to be praying for the nation, just as Jezebel kept false prophets by her side.

Even though our nation faces significant challenges, these false voices preach peace and prosperity instead of repentance. Timothy warned of a time when people would turn to teachings that suit their desires (2 Timothy 4:3). Are we seeing this in Kenya? Absolutely.

The Shedding of Innocent Blood

Perhaps one of the most damning signs of judgment is the shedding of innocent blood, which defiles a nation. God despises the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17), and Numbers 35:30-34 makes it clear that a land polluted by bloodshed requires justice. From the Kisumu massacre of 1969, the deaths of prominent leaders, to the post-election violence and recent killings of young men outside Parliament, Kenya has been complicit in bloodletting. These acts demand justice, but the voices that should cry out—including the church—remain silent.

Beyond these deaths, we see how the vulnerable are preyed upon. Poor families are forcibly removed from their land, and corrupt individuals claim their property. Innocent Kenyans, especially women, are trafficked to foreign countries, many of them mistreated or dying far from home. These are further signs of judgment upon our nation.

Trapped and tormented: Kenyan women narrate brutality faced in Saudi Arabia – The Standard Health (standardmedia.co.ke)

The Call to Repentance

What then should we do? The answer is repentance. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Bible declares, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Kenya can only be healed through genuine repentance.

This is not a time for shallow displays of faith through crusades and conferences. True repentance is needed for our land to be healed. After we repent, the next step will be restitution and reparation. Revival cannot come without addressing the wrongs committed in our nation. We must return to justice and order—values at the heart of our God.

Following the Example of Nineveh

The story of Nineveh in Jonah 3:5-8 provides a blueprint for us. When the people of Nineveh heard Jonah’s warnings, they grieved deeply for their sins. From the king to the poor, everyone put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of humility and repentance. Even their livestock were dressed in sackcloth. The entire city showed God an outward sign of their inward remorse, and God had mercy on them.

This is what God desires from Kenya. We must humble ourselves, repent for our sins, and seek His face with sincerity. Only then will He heal our land.

Let us, as Kenyans, put on our sackcloth, turn from our wicked ways, and cry out to the Most High for mercy. Only then will we see the revival and restoration that our nation desperately needs.