2017-07-24
2 Samuel 23:16 NKJV
David knew how to develop other leaders. He didn’t “use” people to get what he wanted. He recognized their talent, gave them opportunities to serve, then rewarded and honoured them. And as a result they were willing to lay down their lives for him. In 2 Samuel 23 we read: “David said with longing, ‘Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem’…So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well…and brought it to David” (vv. 15-16 NKJV). It’s impossible to learn leadership without actually leading. After all, leadership is action. As leaders our natural tendency is to give others tasks to perform rather than leadership functions to fulfil. But if we don’t delegate leadership – with authority as well as accountability – our people will never gain the experience they need to lead well. If you’re a leader answer this question honestly: Are you providing your people with leadership experiences? “But what if they fail?” you ask. Count on it – they will! But if you’ve picked people with genuine leadership ability, they will learn from it. Dr. John Maxwell writes: “As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to think of myself as a lid lifter. That’s my main function as a team leader. If I can lift the leadership lids for the members of my team, then I’m doing my job. The more barriers I remove for my people, the more likely they are to rise up to their potential.” David developed leaders who became known as “mighty men,” and you must invest in others too.
Soul food: 1 Tim 1-3; Mat 27:27-32; Ps 42:1-5; Prov 19:12-14
2017-07-23
2 Samuel 5:17 NLT
Paul writes, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). Some of God’s promises have to be fought for. The Jebusites who controlled Jerusalem told David, “You’ll never get in here!” (2 Samuel 5:6 NLT). So expect resistance to your vision, especially when there’s no evidence yet to validate it. To make matters worse, Jerusalem was hundreds of feet above David’s army and the only way up was through a water cistern, which meant wading through muck. “Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion” (v. 7 NKJV). Understand this: If He has to, God will bring you up through the gutter to get you to the throne. Note the word nevertheless. When you’re up to your neck in problems and the Enemy is saying you won’t make it, stand on God’s promises and declare, “Nevertheless.” Rise up in faith and claim what God has promised you. “The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32 NKJV). God can show you how to exploit the circumstances for your good and His glory. But don’t expect everybody to be helpful. “When the Philistines heard…David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him.” You’ll have to fight to get to your destiny, and fight to hold it. And with each new battle you’ll have to turn to God for fresh instructions. “David asked the Lord, ‘Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?’ The Lord replied… ‘Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you” (2 Samuel 5:19 NLT). Today move forward knowing that God is with you.
Soul food: Gen 5:22-24; Heb 11:5; 2 Ki 2:1-12; Acts 1:9-11
2 Samuel 5:17 NLV
Paulus skryf, ‘Stry die goeie stryd vir dit waarin ons glo…’ (1 Timoteus 6:12 NLV). Jy moet veg vir sommige van God se beloftes. Die Jebusiete, wat Jerusalem beheer het, het vir Dawid gesê, ‘…Jy sal nooit hier inkom nie…’ (2 Samuel 5:6 NLV). Verwag dus teenstand teen jou visie, veral as jy nog nie bewyse het om dit te bekragtig nie. Om sake te vererger, was Jerusalem honderde meters bo Dawid se weermag en die enigste manier boontoe was deur ‘n waterkanaal, wat beteken dat hulle deur die modder sou moes optrek. ‘Nogtans het Dawid die Sionsvesting verower…’ (vers 7 NLV). Verstaan mooi, as Hy moet, sal God jou deur die modder optrek om jou op die troon te plaas. Let die woord ‘nogtans’ op. Wanneer jy tot by jou nek in probleme toegegooi is en die Vyand vir jou sê dat jy dit nie gaan maak nie, staan op God se beloftes en verklaar, ‘Nogtans.’ Staan in geloof op en eis wat God jou belowe het. ‘…Dié wat in hulle God glo, sal egter sterk staan en doen wat reg is’ (Daniël 11:32 NLV). Moet egter nie verwag dat almal behulpsaam gaan wees nie. ‘Toe die Filistyne hoor dat Dawid as koning gesalf is, het hulle almal opgetrek om hom te vang…’ Jy sal moet baklei om jou doelwit te bereik en jy sal moet veg om dit te behou. Met elke stryd sal jy na God toe moet draai vir nuwe instruksies. “Dawid raadpleeg toe die Here: ‘Moet ek teen die Filistyne optrek? Sal U hulle in my mag oorgee?’ En die Here het geantwoord: ‘Ja, trek op. Ek sal verseker die oorwinning aan jou gee'” (2 Samuel 5:19 NLV). Beweeg vandag vorentoe met die wete dat God by jou is.
Sielskos: Gen 5:22-24; Heb 11:5; 2 Kon 2:1-12; Hand 1:9-11
2017-07-22
Hebreërs 6:12 NLV
Hier is drie lesse uit die lewe van Dawid: 1) God maak die keuse. Toe Samuel, die profeet, na Dawid se huis gekom het om die volgende koning van Israel te kies, is Dawid nie eers oorweeg nie. God het hom egter in elk geval gekies. Hou op om God te probeer verstaan! En hou op om jouself met ander te vergelyk! Ons sou baie van die mense wat God gebruik het, verwerp het – wat net bewys hoe min ons eintlik weet. 2) God ontwerp die plan. ‘Ek is oortuig dat God die goeie werk wat Hy in julle begin het, sal voortsit totdat Hy dit voltooi…’ (Filippense 1:6 NLV). Wie ontwerp die plan? Wie voer dit uit? Op wie moet jy vertrou? God! Sy plan vir Dawid het jare van wegkruip vir Saul se spies, lewe in grotte as voortvlugtende en ‘n span van seshonderd disfunsksionele uitvaagsels, ingesluit. God lei jou op deur die moeilike tye wat jy ervaar, sodat jy die taak wat Hy in gedagte vir jou het, kan hanteer. 3) God bepaal die skedule. ‘…julle sal die voorbeeld volg van hulle wat deur geloof en uithouvermoë besig is om te verkry wat God beloof het.’ Geduld beteken dat jy stewig onder druk bly staan. Die prys behoort aan die een wat deurentyd getrou bly. Dawid is as tiener reeds as koning gesalf, maar hy het eers die troon toe hy dertig was, bestyg. Wees dus geduldig. God berei jou dwarsdeur jou lewe voor, sodat jy gereed kan wees wanneer die tyd reg is. Ja, dis moeilik om te wag. As jy egter wegspring voor die skoot klap, sal jy uit die resies gediskwalifiseer word. Hou dus jou oë op die prys en moenie tou opgooi nie.
Sielskos: Hab 1-3; Mat 27:11-26; Ps 1; Spr 19:9-11
Hebrews 6:12 NKJV
Here are three lessons from David’s life: (1) God makes the choice. When Samuel the prophet came to David’s house to pick Israel’s next king, David wasn’t considered. But God chose him anyway – just like He chose Deborah to lead the nation in a male-dominated society. Stop trying to figure God out! And stop comparing yourself to others! We’d have rejected many of the people God used – which shows how little we know. (2) God designs the plan. “Being confident of this…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). Who designs the plan? Who performs it? Who should your confidence be in? God! His plan for David involved years of ducking Saul’s spears, living in caves as a fugitive, and working with six hundred misfits who redefine the word “dysfunctional.” God trains you through the difficulties you experience so you can handle the assignment He has in mind for you. (3) God sets the schedule. “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Patience means standing firm under pressure. The prize belongs to the one who’s committed for the long haul. David was anointed king in his teens, but he didn’t take the throne until he was thirty. So be patient. God’s doing a work of preparation in your life so you’ll be ready when your time comes. Yes, waiting is hard. But if you run before the starter fires the gun, you’ll be disqualified from the race. Just keep your eyes on the prize and don’t give up.
Soul food: Hab 1-3; Mat 27:11-26; Ps 1; Prov 19:9-11
