Heralds Digest

“And it shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will thresh, From the channel of the River to the Brook of Egypt; And you will be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭27:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.27.12.nkjv Life gets easily messed up through treacherous trespassing of the laws of nature. And within the sea of social decadence, immorality, and insecurity, the hope of possible restoration of dignity is always vague. The step of a prodigal son away from the care and fellowship of a loving father begins with a simple step of disobedience. However, one of the amazing realities of the nature of God is that He pursues an unquenchable love relationship with man. Like the LORD’s pursuit of the children of ISRAEL from river Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt, God’s hands of love are always reaching out to His herring children, even after the sacrifice of His only begotten Son - Jesus Christ - as substitute for man’s sin and condemnation. To God, every m...

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.26.3.nkjv Perfect peace is definitely not the absence of problems but the presence of the Prince of peace. The surplus of material prosperity can bring happiness without any idea on how peace will come, because most invitations to material prosperity are handled with welcome notes for spiritual penury. However, the heart that sets his affection only on the Lord, even in the face of variants of physical and material disaffection, is moved only at the impulse of God’s word and instructions. Since the eternal God is omnipotent and His pronouncements of peace are not subject to the elements of change or the transient circumstances of life, peace from God is perfect and permanent. Therefore, trusting in the invisible God with perfect peace requires the uncompromising faith against the perilous preference for material prosperity.

“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...