Heralds Digest

"But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ". (Galatians 1:11-12 NKJV) Today's gospel message is heavily shrouded in the dynamic personalities of the messengers. Depending on the diverse emphasis of different denominations, the revelation of Jesus Christ is often threatened by the diversity in personality preferences. Like today's christian circles, the Galatian Church was blessed with personalities whose taste and style command special interpretation of the testaments. Only the revelation of Jesus Christ in every gospel message can deliver the heart of man from personality preferences.

"Your injury has no healing, Your wound is severe. All who hear news of you Will clap their hands over you, For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?" (Nahum 3:19 NKJV) The #BringBackOurGirls campaign may appear to bring the awareness of the spate of terrorism in the region of Africa to the global scene; it is actually the demonstration of the benefit of collective agreement on what represent the threshold of wickedness. There is an unshakable power from the throne of grace against evil when the people (be it in a family setting, society or nation) join hands together in agreement, especially in seeking the face of God, through prayer, on anything that threatens the purpose of their corporate existence. The aggression of Nineveh over Judah would never have attracted the attention of God, if anyone of Israel had continue to treat wickedness with kid's gloves. Unity of purpose in life clearly decimates the threshold of wickedness.

"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.