Message
The word of God is a guide. In today’s Bible reading, His word came to Elijah and instructed him to go to a brook called Cherith and stay there. When the brook dried up, God’s word came again to him and instructed him to go to Zarephath. Beloved, if you find yourself in a tight corner, turn to God immediately, and ask Him to open your ears so that you will be able to hear from Him. Problems are solved more quickly and easily when people hear from God and receive guidance from Him.
While writing my PhD thesis, I worked on solving 186 simultaneous equations for 18 months. With no solution in sight, I would have to find a new problem to solve, meaning that my 18 months of effort would be wasted. Around 10pm one night, I got tired; I had been battling the problem and was still making no progress. I then decided to read my Bible and go to bed. I was reading , where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and I heard God say, “Bring your equations.” I stood up quickly and went to get the thesis. Then, He said, “Put these equations on the right and these other ones on the left. That is the solution to the problem.” I did what the Lord asked me to do, and I realised that all the equations on the left had something in common, just as the ones on the right. Then, God said, “Now, solve the equations on the left and right separately and bring the two answers together.” Beloved, God taught me Mathematics with the parting of the Red Sea, and in five hours, my thesis was ready. When my thesis was taken to the examiner, he was so impressed that he said, “Give this boy his PhD. I have no questions for him.” That was a miracle in itself because PhD examiners, especially in those days, were known for asking exceptionally difficult questions, often making it seem as though they did not want the candidates to earn their degrees.
The One who helped me obtain my PhD later instructed me to drop the title ‘Doctor’ and told me that, going forward, the only title I should use is ‘Pastor’. I obeyed Him immediately because I know that I can never go wrong so long as I listen to Him and follow His guidance. I have continued to follow His guidance ever since, and He has never failed me.