Heralds Digest

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.43.1.nkjv Out of the myriads of memories that have filled the entire social media space in the past one week on Billy Graham, the following caption on his final column registered strongly: “I’m sure I’ve failed in many ways, but I take comfort in Christ’s promise of forgiveness, and I take comfort in God’s ability to take even our most imperfect efforts and use them for His glory”. It is the amazing power of redemption, where God takes absolute responsibility for man’s inadequacies, failure, and wretchedness. Even the mildest of sinners are obviously not proud to be called by their inglorious past identity, like thief, cheat, rapist, fraudster, unreliable, dishonest, etc. Instead of all the wasteful struggle to cover up the past, the merciful Lord offers a new nam...

“Therefore He has poured on him the fury of His anger And the strength of battle; It has set him on fire all around, Yet he did not know; And it burned him, Yet he did not take it to heart.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.42.25.nkjv If the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God, the temporary wrath of God is expected to serve a useful warning against the final wrath of God. Unfortunately, obstinate and disobedient heart is wired to enjoy and embrace the deceitfulness of unrighteousness. Hardened heart is quick to make light of all the instances of transient fury and the expression of God’s anger over compromises, cheating, and all forms of selfish attitudes at home and believers’ workplaces. Unfortunately, the scriptures warn of sudden destruction as the consequences of obstinacy - the unfortunate wretched wrath of man. However, the mercy of God is always available to any soul that is willing to sheath his wretched wrath for the riches of God’s ...

“I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.42.16.nkjv The delight of everyone favours the plying of known territories in search of the basic needs of life. Staying in comfortable zone always boost human confidence in himself and make light of the necessity for creativity. Advances in the development of higher standards of living have been borne out of the desires to some selected few, taking the risk of plying uncharted territories. However, there is a limit to which confidence and trust in human creativity can sustain the challenges in the troubled waters. Even when confidence in previous knowledge and experiences appear resourceful in navigating the challenges of life, children of God need grace to admit their blindness in favour of God’s daily guidanc...

“Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.42.10.nkjv Songs of testimony are colourful and appreciative to the ears, especially with details of excellence in the struggle for prosperity. Those who merely live without these excellent stories often express their gratitude with silence. Otherwise, the unimpressed lives to offer songs of complaints and comparisons. However, the scriptures declare that praise is comely for the living, whose escape from drowning in the depth of the sea is a significant exploit. Being spared after a defeat in the battle of life provides the opportunity to fight again. And with determination and confidence in the Lord, who granted breadth to the living, hope for greater exploits is granted on the grease of gratitude. Out of believers’ shades of darkness and despair, the Giver of...

““I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.42.6.nkjv Those who have gone through the harrowed experiences of broken relationships often tell a sympathetic tale of failures that followed their efforts to retain family, friendship, and fellowship commitments. Sincerely, there is always little or nothing that can be done to salvage faithfulness from felony, especially when a commitment to a call from a man is envisaged. However, a call to commitment from the Lord is expected to be higher than a call from a man. Being the Creator and Diviner of human existence and creativity, the Almighty God says ‘I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness’. Therefore, a purpose-driven life is always committed to fulfilling the will of God wherever he is called to serve. The Lord never promised a stress-free friendship, a hostile-fre...

“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...