Heralds Digest

  “And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭9:34-35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Just like the hardening of steel or precious metals, the hardening of the heart of Pharaoh revealed that the challenges of life cannot truly soften anyone without the intervention of the Spirit of grace. At best, the heart is pruned to playing the ‘hide and seek’ game with the changes in economical, health, financial, and social circumstances because it is depraved of the grace and glory of God. Likewise, without earnest prayer, consistent supplication, and honest travailing, the heart of man (our children, friends, and loved ones) will sin yet more and be hardened with psychological changes in human conditions. Unlike the heart of Pharaoh, God needs the hearts of His children to be opened to the i...

  “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭6:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Human interactions with difficulties, the challenges of life, and burdens leave more than the undesirable in the heart, like the pain, fear, anxiety, impossible, and hopelessness. For the children of Israel, burdens are synonymous to Pharaoh, Egypt, and their taskmasters. And like in all experiences of life, even the appearance of Moses appears to magnify the possibilities of their burden builders. Notwithstanding, God is always saying to believers in the midst of their burdens in life “ I am the burden breaker”. The knowledge and the possibilities of a believer's faith in God are the significant essence of difficulties, the challenges of life, and burdens in life. Without our burdens that we can see, feel, and experience, it would be almost impossible for anyone of us to experience God - the b...

  “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Exodus‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The perspective of a strong-willed personality as an asset, and not a liability, was revealed in the commissioning of Moses by God. Moses had come a long way in his struggle, being a stranded stranger for 40 years as a prince, at the palace of Pharaoh; and another 40 years as a fugitive with the priest of Midi-an. It is understandable why 80 years induction as a stranded stranger is more than enough to get him graduated as a strong-willed stranger. But like God accommodated Moses and his strong-willed personality, we should be willing to accommodate our strong-willed students, children, and subordinates in life’s projects for greater accomplishments. Truthfully, it takes absolute confidence in our Sovereign Saviour for believers to truly record breakthroughs in life’s projects, while working...

  “And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”” Exodus‬ ‭2:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When Moses celebrated the blessing of Gershom as a memorial “ I have been a stranger in a foreign land ”, it should be clear that he was made to reflect over the essence of his existence in life, right from his childhood in the palace of Pharaoh. Earlier, when he felt his brethren would help resolve the problem of his lost identity, he got stranded by their rejection. And until Moses met God at the mountain of Horeb, none of this world’s achievements and possessions could provide relief to his conception or contraption as a stranded stranger. Likewise, we are both pilgrims in this world and stranded by our relationships with all its elements. Whereas, those who labour to build castles out of their family possessions, career progression, and business accomplishments are often deceived by the strange satisfaction in their material riches and wealth. ...

  “And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering.” Genesis‬ ‭50:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Social influencers are made more greatly on the basis of their sport, musical, and comedy entertainments than on the pursuit of faith and righteousness. Even in the assembly of believers and Christian homes, trending stuff is not necessarily truthful stuff. However, as the popularity of Joseph soared amidst the magical entertainment and cultures in Egypt, the pursuit of unpopular burial arrangements in line with Israel's instruction shouldn’t have attracted a great gathering; but it does. “ So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them ” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Unfortunately, today, parents are more threatened by the risk of losing the attraction of their children to themselves than the building of faith in them. But just like Joseph was a faith-based social influencer, the youth of these days can also soar high on the confidence of their faith in God ...

  ““Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭49:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The pursuit of the right instead of righteousness has always been the albatross of religion from time immemorial. Right or wrong is the passing of judgment and should be the prerogative of the council of heaven. Unfortunately, like Simeon and Levi, even when religious people do refrain themselves from the cutting of one another’s heads in the pursuit of their acclaimed knowledge of the right, their silent actions and body language do often disrespect all contradictory opinions and the views of others. When Jacob, even while breathing his last breath on earth, pleaded for his soul not to indulge the audience of cruel council, it portend the absolute danger of the council against the pursuit of righteousness f...

  “So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.”” Genesis‬ ‭46:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Apart from the symbolic sinfulness around the concept of Egypt, it is equally a downward trip; and anyone with significant Canaan experience and the understanding of its promises should be greatly concerned. However, a downward drift down to Egypt with God is always a great deal. When God had to say “ I am God, the God of your father ” before sending out His admonition for believers to take a downward drift, we should understand that the deal is not always about Egypt or Canaan. Either upward or downward trip in life, the deal is always about the presence of God. Unfortunately, believers have often been careless and comfortable to accept seemingly upward deals with coloration of personalities other than God. Wh...