Heralds Digest

  “ The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.” Psalms 33 : 10 - 11 NKJV There is no doubt the commanding influence of the ongoing Trump’s trade war on the economy of nations and the stock markets. This is merely an example of the powers of position and people in authorities over the quality of lives of the governed, the corporate decisions of investors, and the general welfare of the people. For the psalmist, the commanding influence of king Saul and his collaborators made him spend an ample years in the wilderness, away from families and friends. Notwithstanding, at the end, it is instructive to note that ultimately “ The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect” . Actually, the collective counsels of king Saul, Absaloam, and Ahitophel against the counsel of the Lord’s anointing o...

  “ Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! ”  Psalms 32 : 9 - 11 NKJV   “ Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered (Psalms 32 : 1 )” teaches a deeper and richer blessedness of the Lord than the instant forgiveness, i.e., the manifold mercy of the Lord. The manifold mercy of the Lord is the abiding prosperity that follows the righteous everywhere they go and whatever they do. Unfortunately, those who refuse to confess their accidental mistakes, sins and trespasses, especially after an historical claim to the joy of salvation, do readily undermine the manifold mercy of the Lord through the deceitfulness of eternal security. Whereas, the enduring secur...

  “ And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. ” Mark 15 : 3 - 5 NKJV Pilate marvelled at the mystery behind Christ’s silence to the chief priests’ many accusations because he was oblivious of the sacred submission of Christ to the will of God at Gethsemane. Until the heart of man solemnly submit to the authority of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, many other altars of authority with dividing interests will hold sway with their arrogant manipulations. For example, disunity among partners in the family and the lack of submission to the ultimate counsel of God do break family projects and destroy the divine purpose for parenting of children. Without sacred submission to the authority of Christ, even children eagerly aspire to mark their 18th birthday celebration to rebel agains...

  “ Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely. ”” Mark 14 : 44 NKJV Has anyone ever cared to uncover the concept of Judas Iscariot’s recommendation of safe treatment of Jesus Christ? Apparently, only the scribes and Pharisees can frankly answer to his disappointment for their non-compliance. Judas still looks forward to another parable of the sowers in an upcoming homecoming sermon on the mount, after the scribes and Pharisees’ expectation of compliance to the recommendation. Likewise, the world and its system are filled with safe statutes on economics, social ethics, political strategy, and business deals that compromise the counsel of God on holiness and righteousness. These worldly statutes are only capable of offering temporal satisfaction and the feeling of great achievement; they cannot sustain their offers on the day of reckoning with the Lord. For example, by the time Judas Iscariot discovered thi...

  “ For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life. But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. ” Psalms 31 : 13 - 15 NKJV Untested trust is similar to ‘for better for worse’ promises that parties on the altar for marriage contrast. And since the trust is strictly placed in each parties’ strength and potentials, individual’s strength and potentials frustratingly are queried in challenging times. Whereas, those who truly trust in God do not sign contracts in any relationship, but rather they entered into covenant relationship with God in all relationships. So, it doesn’t really matter what ensues among “ For I hear the slander of many ”; “ Fear is on every side ”; “ While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life ”, as long as “ But as for me, I tr...

  “ In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness .” Psalms 31 : 1 NKJV Everyone understands the importance of trust in a relationship, but not everyone who falters on trust is actually guilty of distrust. For example, Judas Iscariot wasn’t guilty of distrust, but rather he was condemned for his mistrust. Whatever the list of his mistrust among the likes of financial considerations, extension of privileges, social engineering with the chief priest and scribes, etc, the major reality was that his heart was shifted from Jesus as the absolute source of true trust. Therefore, when the psalmist declared “ In You, O Lord, I put my trust “, he meant that true trust embodies the (1) testament , (2) righteousness , (3) uniqueness , and (4) excellency of the Lord; and not a trust in anyone or anything else. By trusting in the testament of the Lord, believers are called to stand firmly on scriptural revelation and divine instruction at all times...

  “ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit .” Mark 13 : 11 NKJV One of the dangers of falling for the pranks of motivational speakers is the manipulative handle they lend into the people’s emotions. Sensual speaking is a long-time strategy of the enemy, and a tool in the hands of star gazers, mind readers, and the secret of those who major in emotional manipulations. Whereas, spirit speaking is one of the benefits of deliverance from sin and discipleship in the school of the Holy Spirit. The moment the heart of man is delivered from the influence of sensual speakers and their manipulative control of the people’s emotions, he becomes the express battle axe of the Lord and His weapon of war to securely deliver the divine counsels to the ends of the world. Every believer’s end of the world is his place of primary ass...