Heralds Digest

  ““ What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols ?” Habakkuk‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ To everyone who believes that man is truly created as the image of God, life’s rhetorical question here would attract a sober reflection. Being given different privileges, opportunities, and advantages in life, not many people are often concerned with the question “ What profit is this image, that His Maker should carve it…?” . Obviously, God is not to be blamed for man turning out a teacher of lies and mute idols…pursuing his own derailed desires and selfish ambitions. Man was made to be holy, to speak the truth always, to live consistently honest, and to declare the beauty of God’s holiness in character, charisma, and communication. But now and in those who have not tasted of the grace of God that brings salvation and deliverance from sin, the depraved nature in man has corrupted the origi...

  “ For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry .” Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The twist in all of God’s promises is a reality made clear in His revelation to Habakkuk. It shows the difference between waiting for God’s promises and waiting on God’s promises. While the former may appear to tarry, the latter cannot tarry. Notwithstanding, God must remain the focus in either of the waiting. This is because time and circumstances of life will attempt to twist the believer's waiting period; but God remains unchanging, irrespective of the twist of life. But when the scriptures say the vision will surely come, the believer's confidence and faith in God’s promises must remain solid as his conviction in God’s existence. Unfortunately, the twist in reality often comes with the tendency to play God, helping ourselves with manipulations, and the manifestation of fa...

  “ For I know your manifold transgressions And your mighty sins: Afflicting the just and taking bribes; Diverting the poor from justice at the gate .” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Confidentiality is not only one of the requirements for smooth operations in public service, information management is mostly useful in identifying and separating classified matters that involve the engagement of human activities. Even at home and in our day-to-day family operations, parental anomalies are easily classified as family manners before the children; and everyone remains happy as long as home operates peacefully. Whereas, in our relationship with God, there is nothing like confidentiality. If God said to Israel “ For I know your manifold transgressions And your mighty sins: ”, He is equally drawing our attention to the fact that human activities (including our body languages, imagination, manipulation, etc) are open office before Him. While the practice of closed office is always encouraged and acc...

  ““ Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm .” Joel‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Life’s desires for better remuneration, loftier position, classic accommodation, higher standard of living, and greater opportunities are natural. The unwanted reality is that these desires often become detention, where the heart is served with prison sentences. Human body needs remain unsatisfied as long as our hearts would not differentiate between interest in provisions and the desire for the Provider. Whenever the desires of believers shift from more fellowship with God to more material attractions, it implied that their hearts have been imprisoned. And the holy cry to all backslidden children of God remains ““ Now, therefore ,” says the Lord, “ Turn to Me with all...

  “ I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror. ” Hosea‬ ‭11:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The benefits of reconciliation is here compared with the loss in retribution. Even though God is of a purer eyes and would not tolerate iniquities, He said “ I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim “. Generally, God’s patience with man on the subject of retribution is motivated by the sweetness in reconciliation. Unfortunately, the mercy and the patience of God is mostly abused by the wicked and the people leaving in unrighteousness. Notwithstanding, the righteous people of God can emulate the virtue of patience in dealing with disobedient children as parents; indisciplined students as principal/professor; and disloyal partner in relationships. The mindset of every loving principal is that if retribution do not produce reconciliation, then it is bet...

  ““ Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; For your people are like those who contend with the priest. ” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Although the scriptures demand God’s people to follow peace with all men, everyone understands how impossible it is to pursue peace and contention at the same time. Even when the heart pretends to organize peace accords, it is always difficult to arrive at the altar of peace with offerings from hearts occupied by blame games. The truth is that no heart that is yet to find peace with God can truly follow peace with any man. “ For your [peace-less] people are like those who contend with the priest ” suggests people blaming others for their contributions to consequences, when they are part of the primary causes. Whereas, a heart in a singular pursuit of God can accommodate almost all misgivings from fellow men; and leaving the business of correction and rebuke of all (including self) to God. Unfortunately, almost everyone in life wants peace within his o...

  “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.” ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ If wisdom is considered as a principal thing in life or simply a weapon, it may be hard to understand the concept of wise weapon. But from the description of “ Those who are wise ” in the scriptures, it is certain that the wisdom of God is different from the wisdom of this world. While human wisdom is mostly concerned about the promotion of self interests, the recommended wisdom from God is concerned about the promotion of righteousness among the people. Whenever a man thinks about the resources, position and privileges he is endowed with as a weapon to recommend, promote, and enforce the act of honesty, righteousness, and truth, he is recognized by heaven as being wise. Unfortunately, those who are recognized as being wise in this world gets to shine most times here, while those who defend the righteousness of G...