Heralds Digest

  “ I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies. In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears. ” Psalm 18 : 3 , 6 KJV The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem teaches more than the praise of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It actually admonishes integrity, intimacy and influence as the only trust of a lasting triumph in life, as demonstrated by the voluntary release of the tied colt of an ass and the worship outburst of babes. Unfortunately, life’s challenges often lead us mostly to the adoption of a temporary and triumphant truce instead of this rewarding and triumphant trust. Whereas, a truce is obtainable by either iniquity, ignorance or intelligence. A sinner and wicked person will advance truce for coverup, like when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and would offer Uriah the husband a break from his ...

  “ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold .” Psalms 18 : 2 NKJV Here comes again the season of reflection on laurels, bounties, and accomplishments in the passing years, amidst the tendencies to reflect on disappointments, challenges, and unwavering battles. Definitely, the common tradition is “ count your blessings, name them one by one! ”; but most times we are disappointed while counting the wrong stuffs. When the psalmist says “ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength “, he opens the secret of an immeasurable satisfaction in holding unto every believer’s greatest treasure - God. Being alive and spared to keep living for the glory of God is the perfect portion of believers, especially those who are surrounded by the challenges of life. When God truly becomes our perfect portion, and not stuffs, the believer is positioned to influenc...

  ” In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.“ Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ There is no doubt that one of the detours on the highway of pain and disappointment is depression and death. Yet, distress has often inspired intimate fellowship with God for some people, who have embraced their call into the ministry of leadership with divine purpose. For example, it appears that the distress of David was another version of his anointing into the leadership as the king of Israel. While it may appear to many others as a detour into bewilderment, bitterness, and betrayal, David said ” In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears” . It is in this special detour that David got the graphic understanding of God as the Deliverer, Rock, Fortress, Strength, and Stronghold. When believers are invited int...

  “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ One of the reasons for the seasons of wilderness, wickedness, and wastefulness is the stories of deliverance. There is always an exchange of delights between the Deliverer and the beneficiaries of deliverance, with possible development of faith for future battles of life. It is true that faith comes by hearing of the words of God; but believers’ faith is strengthened by the records of the stories of deliverance: “ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ ” (‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬). Likewise, just as the psalmist declared “ I will love You, O Lord, my strength” after walking out of his wilderness experience, believers sho...