Heralds Digest

“O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.25.1.nkjv Walking the counsels of God is more of experiencing the nature of God through patience on His promises than celebrating the quick fulfillment of these promises. A quick appreciation of the latter experience in life encourages the replacement of the true God with materialism. God’s faithfulness and truth are made real in the face of apparent fruitless experiences. And faithful people are made, mostly in fruitless circumstances of life. Therefore, faithfulness to God’s unfashionable counsels of old, in the face of sophisticated counsels of the New Age, brings the true realization of His faithfulness without compromising the truth about holiness and righteousness. Little wonder when the scriptures testify of Him as ‘our Sun and Shield...giving grace and glory’. For those...

Then the moon will be disgraced And the sun ashamed; For the Lord of hosts will reign On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem And before His elders, gloriously. Isaiah 24:23 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.24.23.NKJV The revelation of the nature of God has always been reserved for those who prefer knowing God to knowing about God. Scriptural and many contemporary characters relish their experience of God -as love with the best will and way; as all-knowing with the best directions; and as all-powerful with the best enablement and capabilities. Yet, the revelation of God through most of the elements of this world - the work of His hands - is often misconstrued, with the focus of men on creatures or the derivative of creatures, and ignoring the Creator. For example, advances on the energy potentials in the solar system and the galaxy are readily embraced with little or no regards for the nature of God - the Giver of Light. Therefore, one of the latter-day events is the disgrace of both t...

“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...