Heralds Digest

  “ Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah .” 2 Chronicles 32 : 7 - 8 KJV Since more might goes with multitudes in the human economy, it is understandable why conspiracy against the counsels of God in our homes, workplaces affairs, and life projects thrives. People tend to play along with bullies, oppressors, and conspirators on the basis of their might metrics in politics, administration, sophistication, etc, until they are divinely delivered from this spiritual bondage. For example, Hezekiah king of Judah was helped by the Lord to open the eyes of his people to the secret of more might in the arm of the Spirit: “ Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyr...

   “ For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. ” 2 Corinthians 1 : 20 - 22 KJV Purposes in life backed by the plan of men are something, depending on the composition of the architects. Life’s ambitions, project management, home management, and career development are part of purposes that determine the destiny of any man, family and institution. And those who pride themselves as architects in each of these systems would readily wear their badges with pride and honours. Whereas, in Apostle Paul’s exposition to the church at Corinth, church affairs and his intervention are likened to God’s promises rather than men’s purposes. Obviously, men’s purposes are subject to the concept of  “ yea, yea ” and “ nay, nay ”, i.e., success and failures, possible and impossible, yes and no, et...

  “ And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26 : 5 , 16 KJV For the convenience of those who seek the faces of men for prosperity, the contraption ‘peaceful prosperity ’ will make sense. Uzziah had a wonderful experience of peaceful prosperity in the days of prophet Zechariah… he sought God..he was strong…and God made him to prosper. Unfortunately, not many people know how to profitably manage peaceful prosperity. In the absence of the abiding grace from God, prosperity often breeds pride and familiarity contexts. Whenever our regalia of prosperity becomes the bastion of believers’ relationships, prideful prosperity is beginning to take the central control of everythi...

    “ Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.” 2 Chronicles 24 : 17 - 18 KJV The latter influence of the princes of Judah on king Joash, despite the parental and priestly investment of Jehoiada the chief priest, shows the danger of odious obedience in life and ministry. And as well scripted elsewhere in the New Testament, evil communication corrupts good manners. “ Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king “ implies that there is always a subtle desire for worship and submission in the heart of every man. Unfortunately, when we cheaply buy the obedience of men, we pay heavily by falling into their chain of manipulations. Likewise, men in places of authority should be wary of sycophants and loy...

  “ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15 : 57 - 58 KJV Unless faith and confidence in God enables the reality of the victory bestowed on every believer in Christ, hearts are bound to fail and faint with the challenges of life. Like the scribes and Pharisees celebrated the cross as defeat until the resurrection from the grave, persecution and oppression of those who have obtained grace (i.e., God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense) represent a valued victory. Therefore, the victory of saints against the principalities and powers of darkness in this world is settled, solid and steadfast. Believers only need consistent grace on daily basis to stand firm and steadfast on the promises of God, while abounding in the work or service of the Lord. Even while w...

  “ and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you .” 2 Chronicles 20 : 15 , 17 KJV The search for a good insurance policy or protection against the risk of accident is always compounded with concerns and mixed feelings. Whether for the protection of properties or life, the challenges with the unreliability of policy providers and the games of adjusters can be unbearable. And for king Jehoshaphat confronting the threat from the great multitude against Judah, anyone can understand the basis of the perplexity, anxiety and fear he displayed. Luckily, he had previous experien...

“ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2 : 14 - 17 KJV Every contribution in life and ministry commands commendation. Ordinarily, no one set out to labour for condemnation. Therefore, it is normal for everyone to struggle to project his own savour through the understanding of people for appreciation and commendation. And it is understandable why frustration often fills the air when our labour becomes unappreciated. For Apostle Paul, in relation to his labour of love over the church at Corinth, the source of the ...