Heralds Digest

  “Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds. O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭68:34-35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.68.34-35.nkjv Clouds symbolize chaos, calamity, uncertainty and confusions. And while many detest the taste of clouds, confidence in God and the courage to stand for the right are often tested in the clouds. Unfortunately, even the righteous do ask “where is God and the Rock of the salvation?”, when surrounded by clouds. Notwithstanding, the Psalmist teaches the righteous to “Ascribe strength to God” because in spite of it all “His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds”. Yes, the Almighty God is always Awesome in the midst and circumstances surrounding His beloved children. As soon as the eyes, hearts and souls are focused on the awesomeness of God, even in the midst of cloud...

  “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.63.6.nkjv Activities in the day and entertainment in the night are common routines when life appears good and everything is going on as planned. Unfortunately, these routines often do not always encourage productive meditation. Concentration on well-planned out activities for the day and relaxation with entertainment in the night does feels great in the eyes of a self-made man. Although the challenges of life are generally unacceptable, they provide a better perspective of authentic night watches. And it is difficult to challenge the fact that problems often draw the heart closer to God than prosperity. Therefore, even when the day’s activities are lining up as good, wise hearts will often prefer the option of inviting godly meditation in night watches than indulging in ungodly entertainment as night splash .

  “So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭61:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.61.8.nkjv For a heart that is consistently overwhelmed with an heavy load of care, taking pleasure in approaching the presence of God is under-stably motivated by prayer petitions. And commitment to a daily performance from a heart of praise is certainly impossible in a world that cannot be totally free from troubles, without a sincere pleasure in praise. Therefore, the Psalmist made a commitment to praise the name of God forever, thereby overcoming the distractive challenges from the odds in life. Unfortunately, performance-based praises are common in the assembly of God’s people and the commonwealth of Saints. And praises become dull and dead in seasons with little or no performances. Whereas, the pleasure of believers in the praises of the King of Kings should never reverberate from casual performances.

  “For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭48:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.48.14.nkjv The concept of seeking God for guidance is easily amenable to visitors to the throne of grace. Whenever the guidance is obtained by many, the deal is done and the Guide is expected to step aside. Unfortunately, navigation through our complex world with trusted guidance but no Guide is like flying a plane on autopilot. Storms and turbulence that defile predicted simulation will surely bring down the ambitious exploration. Therefore, it is not enough to know the will of God in marriage, business, family and all career prospects. The race of life is won by only those who know the importance of running with God as the only Guide. God, through His indwelling Spirit in the heart of the righteous, does provide consistent interpretation of the needs for frequent detour in the race of life.

  “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance...Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:5, 11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.42.5,11.nkjv Praise in appreciation of what God has done is comely; but praise in appreciation of who God is is more sustainable. In moments of depression and great devaluation of what God has done, motivation for the normal praise in the heart is lost. In such moments, instead of asking “Why have you allowed this, O God?”, the Psalmist asked “Why are you cast down, O my soul?”. The soul is the battlefield for depression in moments of disappointment and despair in life. And it is the fertile ground for sowing the seeds of discouragement and disrespect for the power and the presence of God. Unfortunately, the heart often forgets...

  “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.42.1-2.nkjv As the water brooks to a panting deer, so is the life support system to anyone struggling for breath at the intensive care unit of a medical facility. No sane mind would remove the life support at this critical condition and still expect to preserve the life of the patient. While the Psalmist acknowledged his soul’s reflection on people’s actions and inaction, he was resolute in his conviction about God as life’s sincere support. Unfortunately, many are tempted to pursue wealth, fame, and position in life at the expense of the true source of peace and rest. Wealth, fame and position have always guaranteed material prosperity; but peace and rest come only from God - the Giver of life.

  “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭39:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/psa.39.4.nkjv Admiration to access positions with privileges is easier than the desire to recess the opportunity. Likewise, life that is filled with comfort and affluence can hardly admit the verdict of an exit from the world. And although the end of stay on earth is common for all men, not many people desire to freely engage in the exit discussion. However, when the Psalmist prayed “LORD, make me to know my end”, he seeks the grace to avoid a misplacement of priority. Wisdom teaches that a guided understanding of the short stay on earth prepares the heart for the long stay in heaven. Therefore, everyday is acknowledged as a transit station, irrespective of the extensive accumulation of privileges and opportunities endowed. Unfortunately, those who are privileged to hold on to privileges and opportunities in life are often tempted ...