Heralds Digest

  ““ I will teach you about the hand of God; What is with the Almighty I will not conceal. Surely all of you have seen it; Why then do you behave with complete nonsense? “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, received from the Almighty:” Job 27 : 11 - 13 NKJV Like someone rightly said “ It is only when you understand the transcendence of God that you see how amazing his immanence is ”, scriptural evidence presents Job as someone privileged to understand the perfect portion in God. For clarity's sake, the ‘transcendence’ of God means that God exists apart from, and is not subject to the limitations of, the material universe. He is above and beyond, surpassing and excelling, greatly superior to us. On the other hand, the ‘immanence’ of God means that it is possible to experience his immediate friendship. While Job adores the transcendence of God, and he enjoys His immanence, many believers today embrace the partial portion in human intelli...

  “ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold .” Psalms 18 : 2 NKJV Here comes again the season of reflection on laurels, bounties, and accomplishments in the passing years, amidst the tendencies to reflect on disappointments, challenges, and unwavering battles. Definitely, the common tradition is “ count your blessings, name them one by one! ”; but most times we are disappointed while counting the wrong stuffs. When the psalmist says “ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength “, he opens the secret of an immeasurable satisfaction in holding unto every believer’s greatest treasure - God. Being alive and spared to keep living for the glory of God is the perfect portion of believers, especially those who are surrounded by the challenges of life. When God truly becomes our perfect portion, and not stuffs, the believer is positioned to influenc...

  “ Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip .” Psalms 17 : 4 - 5 NKJV If wise words translate only to wise works, there would probably be no reference to the paths of the destroyer for all disciples of the truth. Unfortunately, unguided utterances have always encouraged the production of wicked works from wise words. For example, while the words or counsels of Eliphaz and his miserable friends are no doubt a compilation of inspiration and wisdom, Job had to be summoned at the end to pray for their deliverance from the paths of the destroyer. It implies that intelligence without grace and the spirit of discernment often lead men away from wise works or excellent engagements. Therefore, words of men without the inspiration of God will produce the defiling works of men; only the words of men by the inspiration of God are reserved as wise works. Wise works a...

  “ And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake .”” Genesis 26 : 24 NKJV In seasons and environments surrounded by confrontations, conspiracy, and catastrophe, the only fruitful disposition to these challenging circumstances is the reverence of the presence of God. As experienced by Isaac in Gerar, this fruitful disposition is only possible in the life and affairs of those who truly fear God and encourage no reservation to obeying the express commandments of the Lord. “ And the Lord appeared to him [Isaac] the same night” of his contemplation on Gerar’s conspiracy against the divine instruction for Isaac to stay in the land. Obviously, the evidence of confrontations, conspiracy, and catastrophe in life, career, and ministry are the generators of fruitless FEAR, i.e., false evidence appearing real. The intention of this negat...

  “ You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. ” Psalms 4 : 7 - 8 NKJV Wishes are not horses. Otherwise, the prosperity with grains and wine would have translated into peace and safety for all human endeavours. Money, position, and fame can authorize goods; but it cannot guarantee gladness. Informed by his experience in the palace of king Saul, while dealing with the disturbing evil spirit of his master through the use of inspired music from the Lord, the shepherd boy quite understood the limitations of material prosperity, position, and popularity. Like it happened to king Saul in his discouraging pursuit of David‘s destruction, these metrics of intelligence, influence and affluence sometimes increase the level of insecurity of those whose confidence is built on materialism. As we reflect on this passing year, can we thoughtfully confess...

  “ Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” ” Revelation 22 : 6 - 7 NKJV In spite of the fact that all time-bound truth are simply lies, they possess a riveting influence on the hearts of simple men and faithless believers. And while the promises of God and scriptural revelations are mostly couched with “ Behold, I am coming quickly! ”, they represent timeless truth from the throne of grace and the declaration of the Creator of heaven and earth. Unfortunately, the time-bound truths and declarations that are influenced by the status of men, scientific realities, and sophisticated intelligence of the created things do readily turn believers into faithless folks. Notwithstanding, the timeless truths and heavenly revelations are solidly settled in heaven; even...

  “ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates .” (Proverbs 31 : 30 - 31 NKJV ) Those who have functioned on a job recruiting board will understand the daunting task of identifying a prepared candidate for a well described job. Oftentimes, objectivity to the job specifications is sacrificed on the altar of favouritism, nepotism, etc. It implies that the searching of a prepared persona for any responsibility, and relationship in life’s engagements cannot be safely delegated to the human systems and administrations. Only the decision of a man or woman who fears the Lord can be trusted to produce a prepared persona for the management of affairs in our homes, institutions, and societies. God’s chosen personae are not always idle folks and jobless individuals. Even after His created personae are abused and dejected by the fall, God will often walk His ...