Heralds Digest

“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.147.1.nkjv The passion for pleasantries in people, places, and properties always draw painful disappointment to those whose confidence is vested in the mundane things of this world. Beautiful faces of people do not always guarantee freedom from broken hearts, where the best of goodwill is suddenly turned to bad feelings. Beautiful decoration of places is not immune from natural disasters, where attractions to tourists are readily replaced with unpleasant distractions. And although investment in properties appears to sustain strong resistance to depreciation, its value is still subject to recession in an economy. However, the dynamics of pleasantries in praise operate within God's economy. Even in times of discouragement and great despair, the attitude of gratitude is always pleasant, and the attribute of gratitude is ever be...

“Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭146:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.146.3.nkjv For personal interest's sake, all manifestations of princes to prisoners and the under-privileged in the society are acknowledged with political undertones. Unfortunately, the trade-off for physical freedom is often far more precious, including loss of spiritual freedom, emotional irritation, etc. Since every hope in princes is limited to the extent of their political relevance, it is mostly unsustainable if not entirely unreliable. Honest help comes from the maker of heaven and earth, who do not need human efforts to garner support towards possession of any throne, since all thrones are created by Him. God relates with prisoners and the under-privileged with the sincere intention to return their freedom, rather than to retain their freedom. Whereas, it is hapless for those who hope or are satisfied with transient help from their fellow ...

“The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.145.17.nkjv Stringent following of events and activities within the circle of human influence often promotes bitterness and complaints. Every effort towards recommending correctional approach can easily escalate the bitter experience. Unfortunately, the ultimate plan of the enemy is the destruction of possible trace of testimonies for righteousness from every human intervention. Following peace with all men requires consistent rendering of praises to God for His righteous ways, even within all unrighteousness of men. A tiny break from an attitude of gratitude to God represents a noticeable breakaway from the proven protection, through His gracious works in the heart of man. Winsome works praise the gracious works of God for all unpleasant works of men, in order to manifest the righteousness of the Lord.

“Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭144:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.144.11.nkjv The pursuit of career and professional prosperity will be relatively easy, if tutored and guided by honest mentor. The only challenge is the risk of aligning the pursuit in life against the purpose of the Lord. While the Lord leads His followers with utmost sincerity, the divine plan for humanity is often subjected to attack by foreigners, who are aversed to the essence of human existence. Their offers of friendly fellowship represent alternatives to the perfect plan of God in all affairs of life: painless prosperity, priceless partnership, etc. Unfortunately, every alternative to painful pursuit of prosperity and partnership represents a right hand of falsehood. However, God's grace rescues and delivers the faithful followers from the foreign hand of falsehood.

“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.143.8.nkjv Anyone who is or has ever been at the verge of professional, political, social and economical extinction understands the distinctiveness of divine guidance. Otherwise, everyone can readily boast of the possession and control of useful intelligence for breakthrough in life. But in the shoes of the Psalmist, when all associates turned antagonists, and friends appear as enemies, it will be difficult to trust anyone, including self. Waiting to receive the loving kindness of the Lord may appears boring, taking apparent productive time and the painful seclusion from the flamboyant activities of the day. Nevertheless, it is the least sacrifice of a heart whose absolute confidence is in the Most High God. Therefore, a wise walk is not about finding a way out without waiting; i...

“I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭142:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.142.5.nkjv A world filled with the variety of attractions is bound to be deficient of consistent contemplation. When there are numerous alternative to the solution, the comparative advantage of insisting on the solution may not invite significant attraction. Hedges of help are often restrained in life in order to enhance focus on the most reliable refuge. The help of man may need to totally fail in order for the heart to learn the attitude of lifting up its eyes on the Holy Hill of God. Like the Psalmist finally admitted, the Lord is the portion and the most reliable refuge of the righteous. When the hands are down to nothing, the anchor of the heart often hold firmly on the most reliable refuge in life.

http://bible.us/psa141.5.nkjv Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Relationships are commonly developed and nurtured based on self-interest. Right relationships are easily selected based on special consideration of status and reputation. While these considerations are reasonable, the consequences include the misplacement of the priority of righteousness in every relationship. The content of the Psalmist prayer to God suggests the level of his contentment with all relationships with men. Unlike the emphasis on right relationship, righteous relationship encourages the interactions of men on the basis of promoting intimacy with God. Consequently, demand for self-recognition is sacrificed on the altar of righteous relationship in order to please God.