Heralds Digest

  “The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ By the scriptural dissociation of trusting in the Lord from human understanding, it shows that the path of uprightness in life is solely in the Most Upright. Human understanding has always and will always lead those who trust in it astray. Whereas, the upright undertaking of the just may temporarily appears foolish, failing, and falling out of the favour of the majority; but it is taken that the path of the just is often complicated with peace, purity, and patience. While the motives of human understanding are clearly covered by personal interests, safety, and promotion, the desire of those who pursue uprightness is solely in the glory of the Lord and the remembrance of His grace. Therefore, the paths laced with the upright undertak...

  “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Diligence in business is a commendable ethic, naturally for progress and procession in life. Even by scriptural standard, this act of seriousness represents a necessary requirement for standing before kings. Unfortunately, the King of kings needs more than serious servants. Such was prophet Isaiah before his encounter with the Lord and his appearance for purging from being undone. Seriousness with sin or self-centeredness may pass as smartness before men; but the holy Hill of God is restricted and reserved for those who are accredited as sent servants of the most High. When we are just serious, we merely have work to do for the Lord; but when we become sent servants, that is when God has schedule of work assigned for us. Even in believer’s day-to-day activities, family engagement, and business attachments, it is better to be sure of G...

  “Upon every high tower, And upon every fortified wall; Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The Lord alone will be exalted in that day”Isaiah‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Just like everyone understands the selfish drive behind the implementation of local standards, the scriptural standard on all aspects of relationships between God and man is devoid of segregated manipulation. Notwithstanding, every insincere standard has its deep-seated and self-centred motivation around pride and the promotion of superiority complex. And unless by the special grace of God, even the homes, public and private affairs of the redeemed of the Lord are tempted to operate on the segregated standards. God’s standard on holiness, righteousness, relationships, etc, is clearly revealed in His words; and activated by a pure ascension into His presence. Unfortunately, it is possible for an elevated...

  “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Every time the littleness of bodily exercise, compared to spiritual exercise, is inspired by the admonition of Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8, some folks will readily take exception. Here the Old Testament preacher apparently concealed the same admonition on the emphasis of a healthy heart. Healthy body does cheer vitality and productivity in life; but an unhealthy heart in healthy body is eternally sick. In our polluted and corrupt world, how can anyone grow a healthy heart that is devoid of bitterness, wrath, malice, and evil speaking without the love and power of Christ? Even the heart that is readily set on the path ...

  “He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ It is true that motivation and good encouragement are great resources for productivity in life; but the absence of encouraging weather, economy, or environment is not a tenable excuse for the lack of productivity. Consistency in the use of our talent, treasure and time in life is simply a picture of whether we are distinguished delegates of God or not. Those who not distinguished do readily switch delegations and allegiances, depending on the circumstances of life. Unfortunately, the wind and the clouds are mostly distinguished delegates in their own right; but those who refused to be distinguished do give excuses based on the focused activities of the wind and clouds. Therefore, let the wind continue to blow and the clouds continue to drop dews; distinguished delegates will continue to sow their assigned seeds of righteousness and reap the joy of the Lord.

  “If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Since wisdom is always a principal thing, it is not surprising that everyone needs to wise up the edge to get a good wedge on the circumstances of life. All alternatives to godly wisdom, including corruption, wickedness, and strenuous labour, brings failure and disappointment. Unfortunately, many workers at home, workplaces, and in our society have a misconstrued understanding of the concept of success; and have always use wicked wiles on the edges to secure a bad wedge on almost all of life’s engagements. But truth be told, true success is not just surrounded by peace of mind; it is birthed by the wisdom of God, righteousness, peace and joy of the Lord. It is always true that an edge in life without the principal thing cannot give a wise wedge. Therefore, dullness is not just the absence of fruitful strategies in life’s engagements; i...

  “So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Anyone can savour the taste of good food, and enjoy the talents in good entertainment, especially when the appetite is great and the body is in excellent state of health. But when the body is shutting down, that’s when everyone truly appreciates the grace in good appetite and good mental coordination. So, the preacher does commended the grace in enjoyment in times of the challenges of life. Otherwise, productivity at home, profitability in business, and participation in social life become dull…just in a subtle confirmation that the heart does easily settle down with the God of the mountain; and mostly alienated from the God of the valley. Whereas, the hope for glory in God’s promises is strictly evident in the measure of His grace; and not nec...