Heralds Digest

  “ Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain ”. Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The construction responsibility of a solid building structure is readily delegated to the reliable selection of building consultants and contractors. Notwithstanding, all building contracts will still carry the force majeure clause to indemnify against the unforeseen ‘act of GOD ’. It implies that, even in the management of physical, structural, and material projects in our world, we need the blessing of God against accidents. Needless to mention that the physiological development of every human being into the intended manifestation of dreams represents a house to be left under the supervision of God. Based on the personal experience of the psalmist towards his making of a prosperous king in Israel, any wise person can use his principle of success in professional, ministerial, family, social, and business life. It is a...

  “ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The sacrifice of praise to God is only complete in a warm service fellowship or communion within the community. Interestingly, while every human being belongs to and interconnected with another through many fellowships, including church, family, workplace, neighborhood, institutional alumni, social, etc, he is readily tempted to promote racism, partiality, discrimination, and the services of nepotism better than the desirable sacrifice of praise to God. The sacrifice of praise to God is just exactly what it is; the sacrifice of treasure, talent, and time to trust the purpose of God in the lives of others; endeared to everyone by virtue of fellowship. When we open wide our doors to the community through fellowship, and break the...

  “ 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...