Heralds Digest

“Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.9.23-24.nkjv The metrics of great achievements from almost all of life’s devotions are common to everyone, either in the society or within the sanctuary. Success is readily measured by the number digits in the bank account, the height of command in status and position, and the ability to command and influence either political or social authorities. Unfortunately, many men have used the glories of this world with the independent mindsets to the detriment of their souls, ending their lives with regrets and total submission to the vanities of wisdom, weight, and wealth. Therefore, the ...

“Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through? And the LORD said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it,” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.9.12-13.nkjv A sovereign state earns the right of self-governance and self-determination of its citizen’s social welfare. And a democratic state will thrive to empower the people to elect delegates who could be held responsjhible for good governance. But it appeared that the decadence and destruction in the state of Israel was beyond the concern about governance or a violation of the state’s constitution. Therefore, prophet Jeremiah queried ‘Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?’. And the LORD said, “Because they have forsaken My l...

“Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people?” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.8.22.nkjv The people’s prophets may be primarily concerned about the delivery of God’s words to the people, they are expected to be equally concerned about the distribution of God’s welfare packages to the people. Jeremiah was here concerned about the recovery of the people from demonic oppression and health complications, especially when the tabernacle bears a reference to holding the supernatural power of God. Whereas, God appears to query the blind right to recovery without repentance from sin and idolatry. Holiness comes before deliverance on the Mount of God, and the possession of the people’s possessions. Therefore, it is not enough to wait upon God for renewal or run across different mountains for deliverance; unrepentant sinners can only access the mercy and forgiveness of God before possess...

“For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace”...”We looked for peace, but no good came; And for a time of health, and there was trouble!” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:11, 15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.8.11,15.nkjv It is a gross negligence of professional ethics for any pharmacist to present the same competence and capabilities as a doctor. That is why the prescription of over-the-counter drugs from the pharmacy always go with the slogan “if symptoms persist after 3 days, consult your doctor”. Unfortunately, negligence and self-medication have resulted in the loss of many lives, who probably could have been saved through proper diagnosis by competent doctors. Likewise, God was angry with the priests and prophets in the days of Jeremiah who were specialized in diverting the attention of the people away from God, where complete diagnosis of their spiritual state could have led to repentance, reconciliation and regenerati...

““Moreover you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return? Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.8.4-5.nkjv The fun in unrighteous fellowship often downplay the danger of the furnace at the end of play. This is always the undesirable influence of evil communication, negative addiction and unrighteous engagements. For the backsliding Jerusalem and all of God’s children, the decision to rise from the fallen state is expected. Unfortunately, the apparent fun and the deceitfulness of unrighteousness often disapprove the heart from a sense of good reasoning to the Maker’s concern: Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? Whereas, earthly fun and unrighteous engagement offer temporary pleasures with eternal destruction and separation from God. Little wonder God...

““So you shall say to them, ‘This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭7:28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.7.28.nkjv Truth is notably precious but it is often difficult to preserve in a system consistently exposed to pollution and perversion. However, the Lord appeared to reveal a reliable secret on the strategy for preservation of purity to Jeremiah: ’Speak the truth to the polluted space consistently’. When the workspace, play space, and bed space are saturated with pollution and perversion, truth cut-off from the mouth is easily admitted as a pollution or perversion cut-in in the heart. The preservative is an offensive approach that suggests that the only antidote to the presumptuous corruption is a persistent confession of the righteous’ stance for truth. “So you shall say to them, ‘This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor r...

“For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭7:22-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.7.22-23.nkjv The concept of burnt offerings or sacrifices is synonymous to the provision of paid services, where protection, prosperity and peace are offered on the altar of physical project participation. Here, Judah is boosting of an assumed credit for his religious responsibilities and temple services. Whereas, there was no evidence of a cordial relationship with the Lord of the temple. Then came the verdict ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people’. Whenever the material things of this world dictate what we do and where we go, even if they are offered to ra...