Heralds Digest

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.17.8.nkjv The expected testimony in all of life’s struggles, especially while in the hands of oppressors, destroyers, and the enemies of progress, is straightforward: deliverance. Even if the enemies must die or disappear, the focus of most testimonies is majorly the removal of the source of discomfort in life. And when we say the prayer of the Psalmist, our misconceptions promote the philosophy of testimony without test, instead of the testimony of trust. Whereas, “keep me as the apple of Your eye” suggests the desire for a transformation within, where the heart can sincerely trust in God’s protection and preservation, even when walking through the shadow of death and the den of lion. When the righteous truly trust in the Lord as the apple of His eye, he can go to sleep like the Lord even in the midst of the storm.

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.16.9.nkjv  While contemplating on the source of satisfaction and gladness of the Psalmist, a sweet memory of the last word from a loved one came to mind “I am satisfied!”. Obviously, not satisfied by the accumulation of affluence or the attainment of lofty height in career, ministry or political opportunity. It was the inner joy and contentment of a life well spent in the pursuit of the will of God and the evidence of His presence, irrespective of who and what else were absent. Unfortunately, our world is driven by the pursuit of temporary happiness and excitement at the expense of the joy of the presence of the Lord in the heart. And while the rush goes on, the redeemed of the Lord are frequently distracted by the flash of entertainment from material accumulation. Whereas, the great glory in having the soul and spirit within rest in the sati...

“I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.16.7-8.nkjv The confusion in finding the right way in life is sometimes not borne out of the proliferation of bad counsels. Too many good counsels that are laced with divided interests will readily lead many to confusion, against the pursuit of godly purpose in life. Particularly, when godly purposes attract negative consequences, unpleasant challenges, or night seasons, it takes the grace of God to allow our hearts lead the way, instead of our heads. For those who are tempted to trade godly purposes for seemingly good purposes at the crossroads of life, the Psalmist shares this secret “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand”. Whenever the pursuit of God’s glory is played higher than personal considerations of the...

“But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭13:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.13.5-6.nkjv Holding on to hope in the mercy of God is sweeter on the lips than in the heart. Whereas, it is at the theatre of travesty, tragedy and the troubles of life that the crown of victory is won. Unfortunately, the heart can hardly wait for a prolonged divine intervention in the face of attractive routes laced with compromise.  Therefore, bowing down for idols at every passage into breakthrough from financial bondage, empowerment from professional extinction, and deliverance from unlawful detention is often presented as a logical conclusion. And the trade-off in terms of peace with God and the purity of heart at the altar of prosperity, power, and position is sometimes reasonable. However, the Psalmist confirms and has always trusted in God’s mercy because His salvation is swe...

“The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭12:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.12.6.nkjv   Men who have had an ugly share of disappointments, deception, and discouragement from frivolous use of words, especially by men of honour and respect or in position of authority, will always take caution with any call to trust pronouncements. When troubles arise from a misuse of words, query often fly in the parlance of faith. Unfortunately, there are many make-belief carriers of the words of faith in our world, who are alien to the throne of grace. If the words of the LORD are pure words, purified seven times, carriers of God’s word must equally be like silver tried in a furnace of earth. Therefore, pure pronouncements are not accidental discharges from the blue sky; they are pure words from true and sincere visiting carriers to the throne of grace.

“Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭ 9:13-14 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.9.13-14.nkjv   The arrival of the experience of precious praise indicates the departure of the experience of painful problem. Whether in form of family problem, work-related challenges, or difficulties in the drive towards the achievement of life’s goals, the ease of finding the exit door from the LORD has always depended on the motive. Needless to mention that many have often decided to find the easy way out elsewhere, by selling their souls to the devil. But the righteous will always wait upon the LORD for salvation from the “gates of death” experiences of life. And while answer to pray tarries, heaven is always concerned about the motive for deliverance. That is, “Is this for personal pleasure or ...

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. Psalms 8:2 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.8.2.NKJV   Just like the furnace of fire is appreciated by pure gold, babes and nursing infants hardly allow offences to rob the fun off the circles of their annoying friends. Without prejudice to the veracity of wickedness from external forces against progress and development in life, man's number one enemy is his heart. The scripture says the heart is deceitful and its wickedness is painfully unknown even to self. Therefore, keeping the baggage of offences and ill-feeling, especially against someone who even doesn't realize the forbidden line has been crossed, as often robbed the heart from good health and free life. And woe betide the heart of man when the accused offender is its Creator. Whereas, the psalmist provided the secret of pure praise as the possession of the mouth o...