Heralds Digest

"Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy". (Micah 7:18 NKJV) It is difficult to capture the blessedness of mercy until one is drawn to the depth of the wastefulness of transgression. Likewise, the delight-fulness of God's mercy can be understood only by those who have tasted the deceitfulness of trusting in man-made gods. "Who is a God like You?", says the redeemed Israel. God's delight is not in the gain of our relationship with Him, but in the glory of our righteousness before Him. Although the entrance into God's presence is priceless, the riches of His mercy is matchless.

"Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom". (Micah 7:5 NKJV) No system can be compromised without an insider-accomplice. And since perfect system is always a work in progress, confidence is best entrusted in a perfect friend - that is the Almighty God. A commitment to mutual confidentiality can be sought from an earthly friend or a companion, but the most reliable confidentiality is attained when a man freely respect the call to first be a perfect friend. The leading of God's beloved in judgment is a perfect example of mutual confidentiality.

“Therefore I will also make you sick by striking you, By making you desolate because of your sins". (Micah 6:13 NKJV) Only those who care about the expected dividend of life would understand the essence of a purposeful living. Every man is created by God specially for a purpose; but the dividend of human existence is often displaced by willful disobedience to the counsels of God. While many are deceitfully prepared to bear the consequences of sin, transgressors often disregard the pain in the heart of God for every soul that is lost to unrighteousness. And if every badge of unrighteousness restricts the move of God, Israel must be privileged to only get chastised for their sins. A transient desolation of penitent sinner represents an insignificant penalty compared to the displaced dividend of God's glory in a purpose-distracted life.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8 NKJV) Living among people with different tastes and styles imposes a significant sense of responsibility on self. This corporate responsibilities are important for the smooth running of the system. However, corporate responsibilities among one another are not expected to compromise our personal responsibility to God. The engagement of many in unjust and wicked vices cannot negate the holy standard of God. It implies that relationship with God is personal; but every man is responsible for his allowances before His Maker.

"Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries, And all your enemies shall be cut off". (Micah 5:9 NKJV) Intention of contestants during contest for dominion indicates the difference between competitors and adversaries. Unlike competitors, an adversary has a perpetual delight in the oppression of his subject. Although Israel's enemies were invited to teach God's people a lesson, God's reign over His people was not intended to be overthrown by the enemies' repudiation of their Creator's sovereignty. All titans must be tamed for events in times to turn for the revelation of God's glory.

"Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel". (Micah 5:3 NKJV) Peace test is a fair description of change in life experiences; the sincere definition is nothing but pain therapy. Pain precedes peace. And like unto all the redeemed of the Lord, Israel's peace is promised at the instance of the pain of Christ's birth. With heaven and earth in a selective experience of pain, salvation from sin and slavery becomes possible. Likewise, the treatment of pain in family and business relationships may appear personal, but the true cost of the therapy is only open to heaven. Fortunately, heaven has designed peace to flow freely from springs dredged fairly by pains.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ". (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV) The right to refuse the knowledge or the express counsel of God is highly resourceful to the enemy; and it is synonymous to the concept that denies the existence of God. Unfortunately, the privilege of being created as a free moral agent is turned into the enemy's stronghold against the soul. The ability to deliberate on the feasibility of running with the counsel or vision of the Most High is never a symbol of smartness; it is the evidence of foothold that enhances satanic stronghold. Except man's thoughts are freely subjected into divine captivity, the possibility of walking in obedience according to God's counsel will be elusive. The enemy's resources are powered by human's...