Heralds Digest

  ” He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. “ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Those whose principles of success are motivated by the “ end justifies the means ” philosophy have always tasted short-lived, sorrowful, and sad-sentenced success. This philosophy is readily sold-out with focus on the end (success) in itself, without minding the means to the end (success). And the scholars on this philosophy are satisfied with their promised decoration with PHD, implying ‘pull-him-down’ syndrome, ‘politics-hypocrisy-diplomacy ’ edge, and ‘pull heaven downward ’ mentality. Whereas, the “ means justify the end (success) ” philosophy means the embrace  of scriptural conviction on integrity, righteousness, and holiness towards the pursuit of success. The means in this philosophy of good success is the Book of the Law (Bible Study and Quiet Time), producing (1) the s...

  ” I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. “ Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In Christ’s emphasis elsewhere on the distinctiveness of the goodness of the Lord, He responded to the young man “ Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God ” (Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭18‬). Therefore, when the psalmist expressed his hopelessness with the best of the supposed goodness from man, it would sometimes be safely captured as goriness. Even today, the supposed goodness from a man can cause heartache, depression, and sometimes, suicide tendencies. Whereas, the goodness of God invites every fainting heart into the benevolence of His peaceful pavilion. The comer must have sufficient faith in God’s goodness; and be willing to let go of any trust in the corruptible goodness of man. Unfortunately, it is this requisite step of faith that blocks access to the pavilion of God’s goodness and peace. For example, when Christ asked t...

  ” For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another ” Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In the final exhortation of Jesus Christ on the subject of sundry challenges with human relationships, it is instructive that He referenced the symbolic injunction and an Old Testament recommendation on the use of salt seasoned with fire in all grain and peace sacrifices. Now in the New Testament, believers are the sacrifices who are invited to be a living, holy, and acceptable offering unto the Lord. Unfortunately, when we cry foul and express irritation for unfairness, injustices and ill-treatment in relationships, how do we get our sacrifices seasoned with salt and fire? Whereas, just as seasoned sacrifices in the Old Testament produce sweet aroma and flavor before the Lord, the focus of all seasoned sacrifices of believers is godl...

  ” Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. “ Exodus‬ ‭40‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ If reading through the details of work preparation and the setup of the tabernacle of meeting is tedious for any student of the scriptures, one can only imagine the demands on the consecration of Moses who coordinated the works. No doubt, the dedication of Moses and his coping with the leadership challenge, especially his meekness while managing the stiff-necked people, attracted some level of reverence and respect. In replica of the reverence and apparent worship of the appearance of Bishops in today’s worship centres, domes, and cathedrals, Moses would normally enter the tabernacle of meeting with appreciable glory and splendour. But now, when the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting and the glory of th...

  ” But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” “ ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The major difference between the things of God and the things of men is woven around sacrifice. The self-centred nature of man does not understand the rational behind selfless sacrifices. He is naturally afflicted by this satanic spirit that nothing else makes sense, if it doesn’t bring a logical advancement to personal courses and the social welfare of self. Even the infected spirit in Simon Peter had to be rebuked for Jesus to focus on His selfless sacrifice for the sin of humanity. How can anyone recognize and respect the things of God with selfless sacrifices, compared with the things of men with self-centred sacrifices? Selfless sacrifices are offered with the primary intention of satisfying the mindset of God in every affair in life. Personal will and interests are incon...

  ” Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. “ Exodus‬ ‭35‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Earthly workers are mostly motivated for excellence and efficient service delivery by remuneration. While this common motivation is accepted as the norm in any fair system, it is mostly subjective, prone to human manipulation, and eye services. Needless to say that waybill workers are not acceptable in God’s services. In fact, they are referred to as hirelings in the New Testament. Therefore, in the wake-up call for temple services in the wilderness, God had to prepare the hearts of those who will be qualified to offer acceptable services in His presence.  ” Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing “ became the willing workers, rather than the common waybill workers. Willing workers are not motivat...

  ” Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ If anyone in our days is privileged to be guided by the pillars of cloud and fire like Moses and the Israelites, he would probably be spared from the global stress of anxiety, instability, and insecurity in the land. Even those who crave the protection of political powers and the barrel of guns are not in any way lighted by the presence of their political and material prosperity. For Moses, besides the privilege of divine interference, he had experienced the inherent frustration of leading the disobedient and stiff-necked people through the constantly evolving challenges in the wilderness. Even today, m...