Heralds Digest

   “ For strangers are risen up against me, And oppressors seek after my soul: They have not set God before them. Selah .” Psalm 54 : 3 KJV Welcome to the month of MAY, the month of Manifestations of the Almighty in You. Yes, those who pay attention to God’s goals in all engagements, encounters and entertainment will see the manifestations of God. For example, Mary the mother of Jesus had never experienced the manifestations of miracles from Jesus before the wedding engagement at Cana of Galilee. But her belief in MAY encouraged the servants’ paying of attention to “ Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2 : 5 )”. And thereafter, “ This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him (John 2 : 11 )”.  If APRIL has been about the Application of Perseverance and Resilience with Integrity but Loss, the month of MAY promises a different story, if God’s goals are focused and His grace is cultivated. Let a...

  “ For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah” Psalms 54 : 3 NKJV God’s surprises are not restricted to the salvation and deliverance of His beloved from the enemies’ danger and destructive plots, they are always overwhelming to the camp of the enemy. That is why the scriptural digest for the day describes the enemies and oppressors of David as strangers. By contemplating on the strength and position of king Saul, the Ziphites who were children of Israel from the same tribe of Judah couldn’t have been referred to as strangers on the basis of physical, tribal, or blood relations. They became strangers because “ They have not set God before them. Selah” . God is always full of surprises; but only those who are undistracted from His promises and faithfulness can refuse the temptation of being turned into strangers by the enemies’ manipulation and deception. For example, the children of Israel took a 7-d...

  ” Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah “ Psalms ­54:­2-3 ­NKJV The ziphites were here referred to in David’s prayer as strangers, not because they weren’t part of Israel. They were only considered strangers before the throne of grace: “ They have not set God before them. Selah” . And like the ziphites, life’s ambition and the pursuit of relevance have often drawn men into the game of strange sentiments. When we put the greatest emphasis on human efforts and manipulation, even if this initiative includes the unnecessary cutting down of fellow men and the destruction of other people’s lives and ambition, it implies that we are totally ignoring the omnipotence and sovereignty of God. Whereas, the safe sentiment in all of life’s ambitions is the knowing and pursuit of God’s interest. Even when David was in deep troubles, he considered God’s ...

  “For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭54‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ As documented elsewhere, uprightness and faithfulness are the basic requirements for those who must not only dwell in God’s presence but also serve Him acceptably (Psalms 101:6). And here, the opposite of a sweet service (or strange siege) is presented as one of the characteristics of those who do not set God before them. It was an inspiring revelation to the psalmist, who was confronted with strange oppression, especially from a custodian of God’s authority and power. It implies that without the setting up of God always as the motivating factor for believers action at home, workplaces, and their social engagement in life portends the danger of being high-jacked by the enemies. Therefore, the supposedly sweet service, turned into a strange siege, will readily scatter fellowship at home, and destroy the original purpose of God for ...