Heralds Digest

  “ Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry .” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Uselessness is a misuse of words in God’s economy, because “ Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good… ” (Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬). Of course, pollution and corruption are the simple derivatives of the depravity of sin. And even after repentance, the experience of salvation, and the desire to be a useful vessel in the hands of God, man still struggles with the concept of uselessness. Why? God is holy, and there is no unrighteousness with Him. That’s why the scriptural revelation to young Timothy remains handy for every desirous servants of the Lord: “ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (II Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬). Sincere purging must always come with a personal effort, like the taking away of pride, unforgiving spirit, and bitterness...

  “ Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. ” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The psalmist prayer “ Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes “ suggests there is a difference between knowing the statutes of the Lord and understanding the way of the revealed statutes. Basically, while the former merely makes anyone religious, it is the latter that produces a righteous relationship with the Lord. Beyond the letters of the words, a sincere desire for the way of the Lord practices the presence of God in all of human interrelationships with people and the elements within his engagement. It is like holding the words of the Lord at its true values; and always above the words of men. Why? While the words of men can fall flat to the ground, “ Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭89‬). Unfortunately, believers have often made id...