Ask for The Ancient Paths Week 29, 2026

Jer 6:16  Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ It is very important to put things in perspective from the very beginning. The things you have been called to hear, to listen to in this message are not good ideas. No. They are not fables, ideas, or opinions of experts and seasoned men. If they are the ideas of seasoned men we would appreciate the words and message but we dare not throw ourselves into them unreservedly like that. We would have a back up plan in case they fail. What is the first thing written here? Thus says the LORD. It is the speaking of the Lord Himself. Recognise that. If you do see what will happen: Jn 21:7  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. Some of you may have hesitations but recognise it is the Lord speaking in the Bible and throw yourself into the sea. Throw yourself in without reservation. Someone needs to throw themselves into the water today in Jesus’ name. Give ourselves without restraint or care into this worship heading to the Master. The reason some fail to experience the power of the word is that they treat it as an opinion. When it is recognised for what it is and acted upon for what it is, it always is efficacious.1Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. The things you hear are the words of the owner of the work, the very designer and maker of the race and service itself. What more?

Thus says the LORD. “Says” is present continuous. He is still saying what is in Jer6:16 today - still saying it now. Let us read it again together. Jer6:16 Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ God's plan is to give us rest and we must not miss it.

If we will but do all He says rest will be our experience. As we understand and apply the word, the effect shall be rest for our souls,, not restlessness

What is the first thing the Lord Almighty is saying? Stand! In every translation I checked it is "stand". The first thing isn't "ask", not even "look". But "stand". We need to hear from God. It is crucial. We need an accurate word, but we must stand before we hear. Eze 2:1-2  And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

  Hab 2:1  "I will stand at my guard post and station myself on a tower. I will wait and see what the LORD will say about me and what I will answer when he reprimands me." Some are asking, asking desperately but are not standing at the cross roads of life. They are shaking. Are you ruled by fear rather than faith? Stand. Stand so that God will speak with you. Converse with you. Some of us are at the crossroads in life are already compromising. Giving money to the policemen who delay us on the way to our programmes. Giving money to process our papers so we can go out to do missions. Paying money so our children can get into university of our choice. Which of us is not guilty? Paul was standing when Felix wanted bribes from him even though Jesus had said next stop is Rome. He stood and gave no bribes. Finally He heard God say "Appeal to Caesar. You will get to Rome as a prisoner". Stand. Stand. No compromise at the cross roads of life. Stand so God will speak with us.

If we seem not to hear despite desperate cries, check if you are standing. The times may change, technology and laws of the land will differ, but the good way is the same ancient path, the way that leads to rest. There are many roads but only one good way. The physiology of man cannot change despite the improvements in science, technology and Artificial Intelligence. Look for the ancient paths, ask for them and hear the word from God. God's plan is to give us rest even in his service and we must not miss it.

Mercy in examinations Week 28, 2026

 

It was after I had submitted the examination paper that my mistake dawned on me: I had omitted answering the compulsory question for the Pharmacy essay question. Failure to answer compulsory questions carried an automatic failure for the candidate! 

It was my 3^rd and final attempt at the 3^rd MBBS examinations in College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. In fact the examination was being taken along with the resit candidates of the set below me. Due to my not meeting the required attendance at lectures, I had been debarred from writing the 3^rd MBBS examinations at the first instance with my contemporaries. Two consecutive failures at the resits meant I was at my last attempt to clear the preclinical exams, both Pathology and Pharmacology. Failure now meant leaving Medical school, whilst my colleagues were busy preparing for the 4^th MB, which was a step away from graduation. What would happen now? Ps 107:17-19(ESV)Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. When I told Obi Echedom he said, “Go and prepare that question; you will most likely be asked in the viva”. We prayed. Brethren had been praying for us who had resits, and especially as we were on the verge of dismissal.

Sure enough when my turn came for the viva and I faced Prof Onoaguluchi and the external examiner the opening statement was, “There was a compulsory question in your essay, you didn’t answer it, now answer the question.” Thank God for Obi Echedom. I had read the question on antiviral drugs, going through their classes, in preparation for the viva. Anti retro-viral drugs were new back then in 1989 and not surprisingly we were required to know about them. I answered as best as I could, with Prof Onoaguluchi taking over at a point in helping me complete it. Both of them were satisfied with the answer. I desperately prayed the viva would end there; my brain could take no more. The external examiner smiled in a way remniscient of someone confidently closing in on his prey and said, “Let us now go to other areas.” The living God intervened. Prof Onoaguluchi stepped in saying, “Er, no. I think we have got enough for now” and the viva was over! Had he read the dismay in my countenance? When I had 2^nd MB it was like that in Anatomy. I had not read osteology going in for the viva. How could you not read osteology? It was certain that bones would be set and questions would come from there. When the professor looked at me, he said, “Tell me about dural reflection”. That was the only thing I had prepared! To the glory of God, I scaled through but had a resit in Biochemistry.

The results of the resit exams were published later that day. Against my number for Pathology and Pharmacology was “Pass”, “Pass”. I looked again to be sure. I had just been delivered from leaving medical school in my final year. Obi Echedom met me when I got to Imoke hostels and asked how the exam went. “I passed” was my unemotional answer. "Is that how you are saying it?" he responded. Great was the deliverance, great the mercy. Ps 107:15-16(ESV)  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his gracious love, and for his awesome deeds to mankind. For he shattered bronze gates and cut through iron bars.   I sincerely implore everyone reading this to prepare very well for their examinations. Attend every lecture. Answer all questions you should. 

Attracting His hand Week 27, 2026

 I have seen more things that happen when God’s hand comes upon someone. See 2Kgs 3:15-16 (ESV)  And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools..” so when I sit under inspired worship, the hand of God will come upon me. That is why our singers and band must minister well o. It will attract God’s hand.

I am quite sure God’s hand came on Elisha as the harpist played, and that God moves in worship ministrations. They are glorious and uplifting, but does that mean the secret to getting God’s hand on someone is dependent on another person’s skill and unction?

What do you mean? The scripture is clear now. That is why God’s hand came upon Elisha.

My dear, in studying scripture, look closely. Look for where the Bible says “because” to conclude. Do not be like those who say it is because of Solomon’s 1,000 offerings that God asked him, “What shall I do for you?” whilst the scripture never said so. You know, at the temple dedication, they could not count the number of offerings made, yet God did not come back to him and ask, “What more do you need?” Nor did God make such an offer to David and his men when they offered lavishly for the temple. When Elisha was to prophesy another time, did he ask for a harpist? The secret to getting God’s good hand lies elsewhere.

How do I get to have God’s hand on me? 

The same way Ezra did. Ezr 7:9, 10(ESV) the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Notice that in this case there is a “because”. God’s hand specifically came on him because of specific things Ezra did: setting his heart to study, do, and teach the law. This is so for all persons, at all times: Ezr 8:22(ESV)“The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”

I see now; thank you very much. O may God turn my heart always to seek him always.

You have seen, but you need to see. Prayer is good. Seeking God is your responsibility; don’t blame God on this matter. Prov 16:1(RV)  The preparations of the heart belong to man: but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.  We must make the move - it is actually in our hands. Jas 4:8(ESV)  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Why are you saying this? What are you warning me about?

David told Solomon 1Chr 28:9(ESV)  “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind… If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Solomon made it a prayer point and did not play his own role. 1Kgs 8:57, 58(ESV)  The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. He has already given a command to this effect and wants all to seek him. You must use the energy prayer will attract. Col 3:2(KJV)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Do it