Heralds Digest

http://bible.us/psa50.5.nkjv “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” Religious practices involve the offering of sacrifices, mostly in terms of money or material properties. The old testament folks offered animals on sacred altars to God. While these offerings represent a customary demonstration of devotion to God, believers are requested to offer their hearts first to God. ‎Beyond the divers kind of monetary or material devotion, saints' sacrifice focuses on a righteous devotion to God's instructions. An unrighteous devotion approach the altar of God without invitation; and with little regard for the beauty of His holiness. Whereas, a devotion of one's personal self to the will of God is the most acceptable sacrifice from saints.

http://bible.us/psa49.14-15.nkjv Like sheep they [men in honour] are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah ‎ Earthly honour is measured by clear and incontestable parameters, like elevated position, increased riches, and accumulated material wealth. The glory of this honour in life is the only weapon against the burden of shame, no matter how good intentioned the efforts of dishonorable men. Unfortunately, the security of earthly honour is limited to the salvation of the body, leaving the soul against the power of the grave. Unless the soul is covered by God's grace and redemption from sin, the power of the grave will condemn the soul to eternal punishment in hell after death. Having privileged to taste the honour of both glories, the Psalmist will no longer...

http://bible.us/psa48.14.nkjv For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death. Straight paths in life are uncommon; and the needs for dependable guide‎ are easily exploited by many offerings of pseudo guide. Unfortunately, the wisest of counselors can only draw from his unreliable past experiences. As sincere as these counsellors may be, their counsels can be a great disappointment in times of great needs. The reality is that the knowledge of future experiences, especially in marital, business and family life and relationships is the prerogative of God. Therefore, instead of buying the frustration from unpredictable future experiences, the Psalmist got inspired through engagement in the celebrations of the majesty of God. Focus on God as the great guide saves the mind from unnecessary disturbances, while escaping contemplation on our rugged paths in life.

http://bible.us/psa47.7.nkjv For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. ‎Hard praises are related to the appreciation of instant physical provisions and accomplishments. Every time supplies meet demands, praise is comely for all men. However, the problem is that hard praises focus on the acknowledgment of the physical provisions, rather than on understanding the personality of the Provider - God. God is the King of all the earth, including all the good things of life. Praising God with our understanding of who He is is soft and better than the hard appreciation of the provision of our perceived wants. Soft praises are the echoes of trust in the sufficiency of God for a timely supply of all our needs, rather than our perceived wants.

http://bible.us/psa46.10.nkjv Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The avalanche of troubles in life often present man with the consideration of focussing on self; while heaven is mostly concern about the glory of God. Man is always a spectator in the battle of supremacy on earth, if man is safely connected to heaven by the free stream of God's grace. Since God offers believers with both the defensive and offensive strength, there is always no cause for alarm. Unfortunately, man's reactionary reflexes exhibit the innate proud nature, pushing self into the uninvited battle ring. When God says " Be Still ", He meant " Watch me fight for both you and my glory ".‎

http://bible.us/psa43.3.nkjv Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.‎ Personal searchlight is immensely relevant for path navigation through the region of outer darkness. The directional beam provides sufficient guide, regardless of the large uncovered ‎region outside the beam. The fact that the person holding the searchlight is probably left in darkness, as long as the path is focused with the personal searchlight, will normally raise little or no concern‎. Unlike personal searchlight, God's word searches the way, with the thought and the intents of the heart. The beaming of the searchlight on a ill-fated path leads anyone to nowhere, other than destruction. While personal searchlight indulges the flesh and respects the personality of man, the priority of divine searchlight is the leading of the soul to the holy hill of God.

http://bible.us/psa42.11.nkjv Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. The relevance of a Deliverer is appreciated, only after a session of total deliverance. Prior to this time, the soul is subjected to a season of great despair. Hope in deliverance is depressive with indefinite suspense, especially when situation and circumstances remain negative and discouraging. It is not the making of promises that matter to the soul, but the fulfillment of the promises. The Psalmist had a running battle with a discouraged and disquieted soul, until it is challenged to put its hope in the right perspective. Hope in the promises of God may not be sustainable; but hope in the Promise Maker surely does. The Promise Maker is an incredible Helper with definite records of faithfulness to many accounts of indefinite hope.