Heralds Digest

“The first time I said to Zion, ‘Look, there they are!’ And I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings. For I looked, and there was no man; I looked among them, but there was no counselor, Who, when I asked of them, could answer a word. Indeed they are all worthless; Their works are nothing; Their molded images are wind and confusion.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:27-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.41.27-29.nkjv Advances in data gathering and analytics have provided numerous solutions to prediction and forecasting of real life problems. These knowledge-based solutions have encouraging records of saving lives, managing catastrophe, successful planning of state projects, etc. The Creator of heaven and earth has designed these advances through increase in knowledge as one of the derivatives of human dominion over all His creation. However, the products of these advances are not recommended as final authority for the total welfare of God’s creation. God and His words always represe...

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.41.10-11.nkjv The sound of the storm, the drought of the desert, and the force of the flood bring nothing but the torment of fear. And the melody of ‘Standing on the promises that cannot fail’ often fade in believers’ moments of fear and discouragement. The troubling mind questions include: ‘does Jesus care when the heathen rages against believers’ promotion, prosperity, and preservation?’, ‘does the Saviour care when the enemy easily takes advantage of the righteous’ simplicity and sincerity?’, and ‘does the Master care when the flood threatens to swallow the servants on their field of faithfulness?’. The scriptures s...

“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬ http://bible.com/1/isa.40.9-10.kjv One of the major mockeries of the Christian faith is the lack of consistent appetite for spiritual mountaineering. Spiritual strength is easily sapped from normal engagement with the necessary elements in believers’ work, social, and family life. Unfortunately, the enemy of the soul has designed and improvised several alternatives to spiritual refreshment in social entertainment. And almost all of the present world’s social engagement are unmistaken recipe for disengagement from the throne of grace. Consequently, children of God are easily turned distributors of ...

“And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭39:4-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.us/114/isa.39.4-6.nkjv The extension of up to 15 years to king Hezekiah’s life was not a common privilege, given the ample period of time that can be invested to make significant life-changing impression for a memorable and worthwhile legacy. Since a permanent rest from war threat from the king of Assyria represented a desirable achievement and a worthwhile legacy to bequeath his successor, the building of strong military arsenal and a prospective alliance with the king of Babylon would possibly be a commonsensical init...

“Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭38:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.38.17.nkjv The perception of walls in almost all of life’s projects and ambitions as obstacle is straight-forward. The proponent of most of these walls is the enemy of progress in life. For example, the demise or demotion of a dependable benefactor, retrenchment of a reliable family or financial partner, setbacks on trust in a promising relationship, etc, are walls that are mostly soaked by detractors with great bitterness. In moments with these weary walls, the common query from those who know the Lord is always “why would God allow walls on this promising way?”. While the right response is always difficult for those with little or no experience of walls, Hezekiah said “Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness”. His perspective is that w...

“And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward, And bear fruit upward.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭37:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.37.31.nkjv Productivity by the prudence of men can hardly produce the praise of God without the influence of grace. This is one of the reasons why praise is comely in moments of difficulty and pain. The remnants from the season of pain would have learnt more about the providence of God, even in the absence of prosperity. Unfortunately, prosperity without the practical knowledge of the providence of God breeds the likes of king Sennacherib, speaking with pride against the relevance of God towards their provision, promotion, and prosperity. Whereas, the remnants from the season of pain would surely take root downward against economic recession, financial instability, career redundancy, and professional irrelevance; but would equally bear the fruit of the praise of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords upward. Invariably, an ...

“Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD, You alone.”” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭37:18-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.37.18-20.nkjv Human creativity and intelligence have developed beautiful things and technologies for improved comfort and satisfaction of humanity. Likewise, advances in the work of men’s hands have shown that wood and stone can now provide shelter in castle, transportation in rockets, security in missiles, etc. Unfortunately, the souls of men appear to still grow in insecurity and anxiety with improved artificial comfort and material satisfaction. And like in the days of king Hezekiah, true salvation comes from the only true God, whose refuge cannot be destroyed by the threat o...