Heralds Digest

"For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches". (Nahum 2:2 NKJV) Victims of destruction would not hesitate to respond to the offer to appease the gods, as long as it is believed that they are the emptiers of precious treasures. Although Jacob's gates and the shields of its valiant men are no match to the slightest threat of Nineveh, thousand of sacrifices to any god of Nineveh would not guarantee the desired restoration of peace in Israel. The only sacrifice that matter must seek peace with the Emptier of emptiers - the Almighty God. The restoration power of the Emptier of emptiers is not limited to the prospect to recover whatever the emptiers have emptied, but it extends to the potency of His re-creation. The Emptier of emptiers deserves our unreserved adoration.

"Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off". (Nahum 1:15 NKJV) Bearing of good tidings and the proclamation of the message of peace is easy in times of affluence and relative wellness. Unfortunately, the path of peace in times of trouble and great aggression is thin; only an uncommon trust in the God of peace can stay the heart on His promises. Although Judah appeared to have undergone great affliction in the hand of Nineveh, they are encouraged to stay their trust in the message of peace and not in the memory of persecution. The frustration of the wicked is more fierce with an unperturbed fellowship of the righteous and his God, even in the height of great wickedness.

"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.