Heralds Digest

  “ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.” Psalm 91 : 1 - 2 KJV Shadow is synonymous to the covering or support received from someone higher, bigger, and more resourceful than oneself. Little wonder why the presidential palaces and the networks of business tycoons breed sycophants and praise singers. People sing in the parades of shining shadows because of their proven records of support through their material benefits. Unfortunately, like those who perished with Pharaoh in the Red Sea because of their trust in his chariot of horses, the shining shadows are grossly unreliable in the long run. Whereas, the almighty God provides a reliable refuge and secured strength to those who do not lean on their own understanding. The secret shadow of the Almighty God is a safety net for (1) submission to the counsel of God; (2) humility in the pl...

   “ Many will intreat the favour of the prince: And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. All the brethren of the poor do hate him: How much more do his friends go far from him? He pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.” Proverbs 19 : 6 - 8 KJV The pursuit of life’s achievements usually runs on the fast lane. Since getting good is always synonymous to visiting fast food restaurants, gifts are replaced with good in the large sense of reasoning. Unfortunately, when man seeks princes, politicians, and principals for gifts, the actual good from the King of kings and Lord of lords is either forfeited or pawned. Gifts corrupt the hearts of men from standing straight on righteousness, uprightness, and friendliness. Whereas, the scriptures declare that good comes only the Lord Jesus Christ: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the F...

  “ Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” Psalm 90 : 16 - 17 KJV The prayer of Moses on the application of wisdom to human engagements on earth is apt. Life’s engagements sometimes can grow weary and wilted because of their lack of commensurate fruitfulness. After all, Ken Costa had rightly quoted in his book “ God at Work ” that “ If Christian faith is not relevant in the workplace, it is not relevant at all”. Unfortunately, the perception of most people to relevance is often limited to paycheque rise, accumulation of administrative and political positions or privileges, albeit at the expense of righteousness. Without the appearance of the influence of God’s grace in believers’ mode of engagement, like the use of HOLINESS (i.e., humility, obedience, love, integrity, new nature, endurance, surrender...

   “ All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king .” 1 Chronicles 12 : 38 KJV Sometimes in life, honest helpers cannot deliver heaven’s goal because of their inability to not only ascend into the hill of the Lord; but equally maintain the presence of the holy God. The Hebron call for David was made by honest helpers; but only those of them who are with perfect or humble hearts finished the race. For example, when a team of helpers with honest hearts come together in pursuit of one purpose, there can be conflict of interests; not because of a trace of dishonesty in their pursuit. Disunity at home, workplaces and ministry is mostly fuelled by the partners’ lack of submission to the sovereignty of our holy God, or the pursuit of a perfect or humble heart. King David quickly learned the truth and a need for a humble heart, despite his associati...

  “ Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God. ” 1 Chronicles 12 : 18 , 22 KJV Sincere and honest helpers are strategic agents sent from God for life’s project support. Whereas, human helpers are vain and self-serving merchants, whose assignments are majorly the frustration of divine agendas. For David, his honest helpers were identified in the wilderness and not in the wealth of his affluence and immense opportunities in the palace. And like in the case of the ministration of Amasai to David, honest helpers are always inspired by the spirit of God. Little wonder why many who limit their searchlight for help meet to just knowing and doing...

  “ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18 : 19 , 24 KJV One of the greatest havoc in offences is the separation of the heart of man from great opportunities and privileges in friendship. Offences throw fences on all friendly dispositions, turning  brotherhood into bitterness. Whereas, “ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” implies that everyone in any relationship has a responsibility to keep his friendly feature intact, irrespective of the unfriendliness in the served offences. Offences can never go away by outsourcing the search for friendly features to our supposed offenders. And someone in all broken relationships, failed marriages, business disputes, and management conflicts must be willing to approach the Lord, who is “ a friend that sticketh closer than a b...

   “ Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. ” Romans 13 : 10 , 14 KJV If the previous chapter of the book of Romans is acknowledged to call believers to a living, holy and acceptable service sacrifice, it is important for all good citizens to underscore the importance of regulations and government policies in the provision of these services. Good citizens are products of a sane environment because of an uncompromising enforcement of regulations and government policies. While there is a good side to human government as well as there can also be an evil side, good citizens and believers are here called to abide by the instrument of love law: “ Love worketh no ill to his neighbour (including hostile partners, wicked associates, and bad leaders) ”. Love law produces the good works in the heart through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...