Heralds Digest

  “ Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him .” Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The universal law of sowing and reaping is conditionally valid, depending on the readiness of the soil. Uncultivated and fallow ground require additional labour on plowing, sometimes with tears and weeping responses to the apparent instances of unfruitfulness, discouragement, and disparagement. The reality of unproductive engagements in life underscores the irresponsive disposition of many sowers in the field of evangelism, entrepreneurship, and establishment. These realists will readily drop the fight in the face of opposing giants and intimidation. Obviously, without the inspiration by another spirit like that of Caleb of old, there can never be an account of  “ He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing ”. Conversely, the seed for continuous ...

  “ Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. ” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Since those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, those who trust in their own strength and abilities would readily pride themselves on being like Mount Everest. And just as being the tallest mountain on earth, trust in personal strength and abilities motivates the unrest and earthly competition among the princes and principalities on earth. This is always the Genesis of the rise and fall of kingdoms, nations, institutions, empires, and clans in our world. It is just a matter of time, Mount Everest becomes moveable. But ‘ Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion’ , which is unmovable. Why? It is not a physical mountain with finite and competitive height, might, and strength; but a trust in the infinite str...

  “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In human economy, the pulling down of strongholds like the walls of Jericho will require the side support of tractors and heavy machinery. Unfortunately, when we are surrounded by enemies with more sophisticated access to these machinery, like the experience of the children of Israel with the men of Jericho, we would need something or someone else to come to the rescue. Luckily, Israel had the sovereign God as her side support. ““ If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say— “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us ” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭1‬-‭2‬). And with the sovereign support, heavy machinery had to give way for a humble movement for seven days. Likewise, in all the battles of life, it takes humility for anyone to trust absolutely in God; and just move ahead in simple obedience to the counsel of God. Of course...

  “ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Faith and facts are simply and respectively casted into the evidence of God pleasing and the reality of men pleasing. There are no in-between scenarios in life; the foundation of faith is strictly built on the diligent pursuit of God’s words and the doing of His Will. Unfortunately, we see men daily and listen to their opinions, expressions, and assessments more often than the revelation of the counsels of God. And whenever these opinions do not align with the revealed counsels of God, man is faced with the crisis of faith and the dilemma of upholding the existence of these men. Whereas, with diligent pursuits of the faith foundation, we do not need to deny the existence of men to uphold the existence of God. This foundation is rooted in believers’ absolute confidence in whatsoever God has re...

  “ Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. ” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭123‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Human contempt at any time doesn’t always start without some layers of mercies. Otherwise, there would be no catch in the enemies’ plan for human messes. Therefore, contempt is a necessity of life under the influence of the realities of depravity, degradation, and devastation. Depending on the settings from home, workplace, ministries, and institutions, everyone is made to look up for mercy from the hands of some masters. Unfortunately, the initiative in search of good and merciful masters often lead many people into complex complications of contempt. For example, the experience of David in the hands of his master king Saul is a sufficient example of complex complications of con...

  “ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God .’ ”” Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ It is amazing how the acknowledgment of God’s displeasure in the sacrifices of animals for remission of sin led to the absolute submission of Jesus Christ as the sacred Lamb of God. “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “ Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me ” (Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭5). Elsewhere, the scriptures speak of the Son of God’s humble acceptance of the human body prepared for Him as the Son of man, up unto the death on the cross of Calvary (Philippians 2:8). The major point here is that absolute submission to the Will of God brings perfect peace in the hearts of the people of God. Unfortunately, whenever there are reservations dictated by self will, we will continue to struggle with actions and inaction of people and events around us. But the moment we are graciously assisted to move hig...

  “ Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? ” says the Lord God, “ and not that he should turn from his ways and live? ” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ God judges sin not on the basis of His pleasure, but on the basis of His purity. Even while His eyes are purer than beholding iniquity, He will give everything to attract men into His arena of peace and love. Unfortunately, believers who found the love of God by His grace have often struggled with their pleasure for judgment and punishment for unrighteousness, especially when they bemoan the impact of sin and wickedness against personal pleasure. Do you really spend time to pray for the conversion of those who have wrongfully persecuted you; or do you softly desire their incarceration for a pleasure in vindication? To demand and delight in the punishments of offenders, even after a clear demonstration of their repentance, is unpleasant to God. Therefore, the moment any righteous believer truly believes that God does ...