Heralds Digest

“Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, Whose merchants are princes, Whose traders are the honorable of the earth? The LORD of hosts has purposed it, To bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭23:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.23.8-9.nkjv On the likes of a significant day for wrapping, boxing, and distribution of gifts left over after the Christmas Day, anticipating souls have the final chance to determine the genuineness of those who really care about their existence. Relationships are often valued based on the content of the box; and affluent givers, like Tyre, are always excited with the opportunities to exhibit their affluence. While the quantity in the hands that give away are encouraged, the Lord appears to care more about the quality in the heart that gives. And the affluence of material prosperity can build a beautiful city; but it is only a godly counsel that build a glorio...

“I will clothe him with your robe And strengthen him with your belt; I will commit your responsibility into his hand. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem And to the house of Judah.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.22.21.nkjv A reference to the influential status of Shebna the Steward with great command of chariots shows the dynamics of change in property, position, and privileges in life. Positive change in life status increases confidence in human relationship. And those who believe in the invisible hand that drives positive change in life are quick to seek the divine touch in times of needs. Unfortunately, the focus of many people is often shifted away from the unchangeable Potentate to the changeable affluence of property, position, and privileges. Just as confidence in the accumulation of robe, belt, and responsibility by Shebna was condemned by God, only confidence in the Lord guarantees sustainable covering, strength, and inheritance in...

“You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago. And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning, For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22:11-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.22.11-13.nkjv It’s a good countdown to the dawn of a new beginning, with promising manifestation of glorious refreshments in the presence of the Lord. However, while reflecting on the experience of Jerusalem in her celebrated valley of visions, the challenge of presumptuous positioning of God’s people became a serious concern. Obviously, a decisive journey into the valley of visions can produce celebrated messages for massage therapy of all emotional and physical concerns; but it may lack a deep sp...

“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.1.6.nkjv The past 3-day personal experiences in Amsterdam have been nothing but strange, stranded, and secluded from home and family. I have seen fainted and frustrated people alike, looking for alternative routes from the strange hospitality of the staff and agents of the Royal Dutch Airline. Frequent services of snacks and drinks provided needed relief from stress; but they never the needed break from the 3-day seclusion from all the ’to-do’ list. Although the snowy weather that resulted in the phenomena cancellations of flights in Amsterdam since Sunday appears a normal winter experience with little or no risk in North America, Schiphol airport has responded with a safety first approach, based on its level of management technology. Looking back, it has been a wonderful time of rest and relief, opportunities to experience the taste and trea...

“Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab; Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler. For the extortioner is at an end, Devastation ceases, The oppressors are consumed out of the land...And it shall come to pass, When it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, That he will come to his sanctuary to pray; But he will not prevail.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭16:4, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.16.4,12.nkjv A lopsided view of prayer as a monologue seeks the face of God for mercy, without paying attention on the demand of heaven for the exercise of mercy in human daily affairs. To Moab, heaven had pleaded “Let My outcasts dwell with you...”. Unfortunately, proud Moab would careless about the plights of God’s outcasts for accommodation, security, and sustenance. Humility is easier to manage and maintain in positions where demands for sustenance from the outcasts of this world are minimal. However, extra grace is required, in order to avoid being turned into a merciless mountain, w...

“The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand: That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, And his burden removed from their shoulders.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14:24-25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.14.24-25.nkjv The camp of the wicked do not have time for extensive planning before the execution of their acts of wickedness against the righteous. While God appears unruffled by His thoughts of pleasant expected ends and glorious purposes, the rights of the righteous to submit and surrender self towards the fulfillment of God’s will are often aggressively denied. As it happened to Zion, the aggressive accommodation of the rights of the righteous cannot annul the thoughts and purposes of the Almighty God. Meanwhile, the righteous people of God are called to an attractive appreciation of the prevailing thoughts and purposes...

“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.14.13-14.nkjv Before his demotion and banishment from the throne of God, Lucifer was described as the son of the morning and one of the stars of God. It was a position that commands respect among all the angels, being the commander of the early morning praise worship. Unfortunately, he later desired rather to be offered praise instead of commanding the offering of praise to God. And this abominable aspiration is still the basis of demotion and banishment from the presence of God today. Gifts and talents are given to men in order to show forth the praise of God. But when promotion and celebration of these endowments become elevated above the control of God,...