Heralds Digest

  “ Save us, O Lord our God, And gather us from among the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord !” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Smart people have novel ideas of how existing systems can work better; and when someone is blessed with skills on how to gather smart people, there is always no doubt that great things and innovative systems will evolve. Unfortunately, underdevelopment thrives where the gathering or collaboration of smart people is strategically restricted by self interest. While all gatherings with clear understatement of personal praise and promotion are readily attractive to all men, gracious gatherings of people are strictly focused on a sustainable expression and expansion of the glory of God. Therefore, the psalmist acknowledges the believers’ need of saving themselves from a polluted gathering with the Gentiles....

  “ They served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons ” Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ At the root of liberalism is the art of dancing to disobedience against the commandments of the Lord, especially in exchange of socialization and accommodation of people. It was the same dark dance that led Adam to forfeit the fellowship with God and his right to Eden. And all of humanity, as the seed of Adam and Even, were plunged into the dungeon and depravity of sin; and into darkness because of their single stand on the dark dancing floor. Even today, our world of learning, entertainment, and workplace is constantly being soaked by the activities of demons (darkness, extinction, mammons, offence, nuisance, and storms). Unfortunately, instead of yielding to the divine call to take a stand against the activities of demons, the people of God have often preferred to take the disgraceful dance with immortality, indulgence and inse...

  “He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Knowing that great relationships are nurtured by wholesome characters, it is possible to be deceived and give a pass mark to untested characters. Unfortunately, the challenges of life and the trials of life do not come in similar packages to different characters. Little wonder, the scriptures admonished no need of comparison among characters. “ For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise ” (II Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬). It implies that a great relationship with diverse elements in a believer's life is best nurtured by his great relationship with God. This experience is simply measured by the believer’s level of grace. Grace indulges all kings’ excesses, and is simply inspired by the riches of the King of kings. In all belie...

  “ Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, And the plague was stopped. And that was accounted to him for righteousness To all generations forevermore. ” Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Personal plague requires personal intervention and the taking of personal responsibility. Notwithstanding, everyone knows that personal plagues grow quickly into systemic plague; when a pocket of throwing personal irresponsibility is allowed to fester. Among the people of God in the days of Phinehas, the systemic plague in the land was caused by the citizen’s plunge into idolatry, immorality, and indulgences. And like it was in those days, when the system is plunged into corruption, wickedness, and unrighteousness, it becomes the common lifestyle of the people. Even the supposedly upright in a compromised system will find it difficult to stand straight for fear of losing relevance. But the fact that Phinehas took a different stand in his days shows that someone can do the same today. “ Then Phinehas ...

  “ They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul. ” Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Anyone who has ever struggled with the challenges of establishing relationships on the basis of trust and integrity can imagine the heartbeat of God in relationship with His people. The scriptures acknowledge it that when “ He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their enemies; There was not one of them left. Then they believed His words; They sang His praise ” (Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭10‬-‭12‬). And since the Israelites’ relationship with God was treated on the basis of a request-refuge , we can understand why it was difficult for their belief in God to stand the test of time. Likewise, when we relate with God on the basis of provision for our selfish request, rather than faith i...

  “ He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations, That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the Lord!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭44‬-‭45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ There is no doubt that whatever God gives to His children is meant for their possessions. He told Joshua, the chosen leader of the Israelites, that “ Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬). And as a Promise-keeper, God always keeps His promises of giving the lands for the children possession. But there are landmark laws for all obedient children of God, who will lead a pleasing life and live to Praise the Lord. Unfortunately, believers' daily interaction with the land and its prevailing lifestyle do readily make the landmark laws a grievous requirement. It does appear that business breakthrough, ministerial accomplishment, and professional excellence are not possible without compromise and complexity with landmark la...

  “ There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord .” Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Fast lanes are not designed for the sluggish mind and the slow in perception. Mostly, those who explore fast lanes are business-like in their approaches. They want results faster, and they are willing to give whatever it takes. Unfortunately, the architects of evil and wicked vices are mostly busy people on the fast lanes; and they are eager to recruit the unwary business-minded people on missions against the Lord. The business transaction between king Balak of Moab and prophet Balaam provides a simple example of fast lane’s engagement. Even while Balaam had wished and prayed to end his ministerial race on earth with the Lord, he ended up taking the fast lane to his destruction and damnation. The scriptures cannot overstretch the timeless admonition to heaven-bound pilgrims today “ There is no wisdom or ...