Heralds Digest

“ The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.17.3.nkjv Except for the mimicking of precious vessels, jars of clay have no business near the heat of the furnace. Nowadays, a measure of heat is coveted for the melting of some chemical compounds; and possibly for a good bonding of different sand and clay towards the making of the likes of precious vessels. But ideally, the heat of the furnace is the natural delight of silver and gold. The melting experiments are designed, not for a pretentious bonding, but for the removal of unwanted impurities. Likewise, the desires of vessels of honour is the removal of impurities, like pride and pretense, from the hearts. Have you ever wondered about the expediency of the heat of misfortunes in life? Furnace not funny, but the LORD tests the hearts through His expedient experiments.

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.16.12.nkjv If Rehoboam, the son of the writer of this proverb, had kept the word of wisdom, his throne would have been established. But sincerely, it naturally appears that respects in governance is easy with tight-fist and stern dispositions, where people in position of authority rule with high-handedness. Notwithstanding, a change in the orientation to unruly behaviour, in the family, any organization and the society at large, requires discipline and consistent enforcement of standards, in order to build a respectable institution. However, an unfriendly disposition in leadership, outside the motive towards fighting corruption and indiscipline, is called wickedness - a serious abomination in the sight of God. Although some sort of compliance may be temporarily achieved by any form of unpopular enforcement, it is always unable to b...

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.16.7.nkjv The price for peace is generally accepted to be of less importance, compared to the privileges of peace. Peace treaty often come at the expense of significant compromises to acceptable standards, including the paying of ransoms to terrorists, the granting of amnesty to criminals, the adoption of multiple standards, the use deception or carrots and stick approach, etc. These self-centered motivations or peace approaches have proven to only guarantee temporary cessation of hostility. As long as the desire of all parties in the peace accord is the pleasing of certain self interest, lasting peace is always no where in view. That is, the idea of displeasing God (by telling lies to douse tension, immoral gratification towards promotion or human recommendation, etc) in order to please man does not always work. Whereas, lasting peace pleading ...

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.15.4.nkjv The only obvious definition of wholesomeness in the tongue of a man, from the precious proverb, is the freedom from perverseness. It is the ability of a man to be an epitome of blessing, encouragement, and motivation to others, irrespective of his own personal challenges in life. It only suffices for anyone to underscore the fact that a wholesome tongue is no longer sensitive to its natural sense of taste. The natural taste of aggression, deprivation, and misrepresentation is a reflection of resentment and retaliation; but a wholesome tongue is completely delivered from the outburst of perverseness by the grace of God. Obviously, a wholesome tongue is the product of a holy heart, without which no man can access the tree of life.

“The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.14.10.nkjv A sincere home represents a collection of bitter and joyful experiences. There are moments when realizations are far from expectations, especially from most relationships among parties in the family. Unlike what obtained in fairy tale family episodes, the scriptures say that a sincere heart will never fake joy in times of bitterness. Evidently, there will always be moments of loneliness, failed expectations, misrepresentation, disappointment, etc, in a blessed relationship. However, access to the throne of grace brings comfort, joy, appreciation, and fellowship that cannot be obtained from miserable comforters. These strange solicitors offer transient break from sorrow, happiness in place of joy, commendation instead of permanent accommodation. Whereas, the Sovereign God is the Sun and the Shield of the righteous. He gives grace in our moments ...

“Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.13.15.nkjv There is always a subtle understanding that favour ain't fair, especially as favour is not considered the true product of a man's action. However, this subtle understanding is not supported by the scriptures. Truly, hard ways and days are mostly complicated, but God always have good thoughts concerning all His abiding children during their hard times. Would man be patient enough to pay attention to God's teachings in times of difficulty, good understanding of the difference between God's ways and man's expectations will be gained. Unfortunately, most of God's children lack the good understanding, either through wilful disobedience or ignorant unfaithfulness to His instructions, leading to a misconception of the season of trials and a prolonged days of hardness. Nevertheless, there is equally a fair favour in hard times, coup...

"He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction." ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.13.3.nkjv Lips are positioned to keep the tongue in check against unnecessary sellout and endangering of life. The scriptures even considered a fool as being wise, when the mouth is kept closed. A secured family unit, safe state and orderly organization are kept secured, until a strategic intelligent gathering machinery is invested in the trading of information through the gateway of an item of compromise. For Samson, the item of compromise was his uncontrolled lust for strange women. He sold the secret of his divine strength on the bed of immortality. Sometimes, lips are thrown wide open for no justifiable reason: boredom, low self-esteem, pride, self-gratification, etc. Therefore, unless divinely compelled or authorized otherwise, a check against lips leap keeps the ship of life cruising against unnecessary assaults and ...