Chapter 3


Evidences of Inspiration

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


INTRODUCTION
         Evidences of inspiration abound. They are presented below and classified as biblical, historic, scientific, literal, biological or everyday examples.

BIBLICAL EVIDENCES OF INSPIRATION
         It is wonderful! It is great! Above all, it is true. Evidences of inspiration abound in the scriptures. Hence, “All Scripture is God-inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17. In Ezra 1:1, “God moved the heart of Cyrus King of Persia…” to accomplish great things.

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up. I Chronicles 26:22, 23

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; 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: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Isaiah 45:1-8

         Jesus taught his disciples not to fear, in case they were taken to the court. According to Him, in that hour, “…you will be given what you will say. For the words you shall speak will come from the spirit of your father speaking through you.” Matthew. 10:19,20 and in John 16:13, He said that, when however, the spirit who reveals the truth comes, He (the Holy Spirit) will guide us into all truth.
         Inspiration in the modern world is as possible and manifest as it was in the ancient times. Just as the ancient time foretold of the present times, likewise by the same inspiration the present times is a reality of the past inspiration.
         One of the epitomes of inspiration was Moses. By inspiration, he was able to give the world the account of creation, explaining several events and realities which the ordinary man could not attempt. His explanation remains true even today, in our modern life.
         Another inspirational model is David. Among the kings of the world, who has expressed both physical and spiritual realities of life more than David? Today, as in the time past, David has become the fountain of life: myriads of churches and believers use his psalms for worship, prayer, ceremony, battle, etc. His successfulness and prosperity were possible right from childhood. All because, he learnt early in life to receive, understand and follow inspiration. The Bible records that immediately after Samuel anointed David, the spirit of God filled David.

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.” 1 Sam 16:13

         King Solomon was another good demonstration of inspiration. He asked for wisdom and knowledge, and got them from the Lord.

7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." 8 Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 11 God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

         Today, the world acknowledges the height to which inspiration lifted Solomon: as wise as Solomon. An account of Solomon’s wisdom is presented below, for you to understand the need to pray for Holy Spirit (The spirit of knowledge and wisdom). The role of inspiration in life and achievement of Solomon is clearly demonstrated in the difficult case between two prostitutes.

16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, "My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. 19 "During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son-and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne." 22 The other woman said, "No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours." But the first one insisted, "No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine." And so they argued before the king. 23 The king said, "This one says, “My son is alive and your son is dead,” while that one says, “No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.”" 24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other." 26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!" But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!" 27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother." 28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice. 1 Kings 3:16-28

EVIDENCE OF INSPIRATION IN CHRISTIAN LIFE
         On several occasions, Jesus explained the roles of inspiration in the life of a Christian. Against your accusers Jesus said,

14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:14-15

         He epitomised inspiration. He proved that all that He did or said were inspired and performed by God Almighty.

8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus answered: "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. John 14:8-11

         He even gave the assurance that His followers will receive greater inspiration and perform greater works.

12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12-13

         Before He left, He gave assurance of the Holy Spirit saying, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:12-14

         Once again I repeat the honey word in the bible, “All Scripture is God-inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17

         The value of inspiration in the life of a Christian is highlighted in the parable in John 11:9-10 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." John 11:9-10
         He that follows the inspiration of the Holy Spirit sees the way, avoids obstacles and problems, and succeeds profoundly, while the person that fails to follow divine guidance is not only blind, but stumbles and fails woefully.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF INSPIRATION
         Scientists carry out research from time to time. In university education, every student is expected to conclude his education by doing a research work called project. In developed countries, the importance of research is made clear by Research and Development (R&D) Unit provided in every establishment or corporate organisation. These researches, projects and development use what Jesus meant when He said,

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matt 7:7-8

         Every research effort is accomplished and facilitated by inspiration, through Angel Scientists. All the meditations, thoughts and questions raised in a research work ascend to the Heavens like invisible smoke, and like the prayers of the saints. God answers accordingly, by providing inspiration which the researchers receive in the form of ideas, solutions and methods. Isaiah 60:17 shows that God is the God of Technology,

17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,
     and silver in place of iron.
Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,
     and iron in place of stones.
 Isaiah 60:17

         Incubation is another scientific evidence of inspiration. It is putting a task aside for a while, to enable the mind refresh and get new ideas and better methods. When the mind is confused, there is interference in the communication line. Putting the work aside for a while enables the researcher to have peace of mind , and hence regain good mental set and focus in the right direction (the disposition to receive and follow inspiration).
         The scientists use divine inspiration:          Angel Scientists, Engineers, etc assist mankind. In the religious circle, we are very much aware of such Angels and Archangels as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. Many are not aware that God has other Angels. For examples, there are Angel Scientists, Angel Accountants, Angel Engineers, etc. Of course, our Personal Guardian Angels are there to help us in our everyday work and career, through inspiration.
         How Angels attend to us, in sleep and at work! Yet, we do not know it. Just like a baby is attended to by his father, mother, brothers and sisters, and he knows them not.
         In practical application, inspiration sometimes comes when we do not expect it. It can come when we have lost all hope or from a source we do not expect. A computer programmer testifies that sometimes he succeeds just when he has lost hope, rumpled his draft papers and thrown them into the refuse basket. Just then, the inspiration comes in the form of a correction, an idea, a solution, a possibility or an omission, and he has to retrieve the rumpled paper, unfold it and continue working with it. At times we find the solution when we have worked hard at something and are about to give up or lose hope.

EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE OF INSPIRATION
         Many things in our daily life bear testimony to the reality and importance of inspiration.
         One Christian wonders whether a person should only pray for success or just work for it. He thinks that it may not be necessary for people to work hard and pray without ceasing at the same time. The truth is that every success has both divine and human factors, each factor being as important as the other. Hence the saying, ‘success is one percent (1%) inspiration and ninety-nine percent (99%) perspiration.’ At times, we receive inspiration, but fail to act on it, all because we allow our reasoning to itnterfere with the inspiration. Thereby, we pay attention to current events and realities, instead of focusing on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Everyday facts may try to limit us, but visions uplift us. At the end, faced with realities, we exclaim, “it occurred to my mind”. But then, it might be too late.
         You must have spent time thinking where you kept something. Try hard as you may to remember, you could not. Then, all of a sudden, the answer flashes in your mind and you remember where you kept it Have you ever considered how come that mankind have been able to make so many achievements, improvements, innovations, styles and delicacies? You will discover that all these were possible through bit-by-bit inspirations, from time to time.