2020-08-01
1 Samuel 30:8 NLV
Stry jy teen ‘n hardkoppige gewoonte soos dwelm- en alkoholmisbruik? Dobbel? Te veel eet? Pornografie? Hier is goeie nuus. Jesus het gesê wanneer Hy terugkeer, ‘…dat gevangenes vrygelaat sal word…’ (Lukas 4:18 NLV). Jy kan herstel. Jy kan terugkry wat jy verloor het, of selfs iets beter kry. Hoe? Deur die twee dinge te doen wat Dawid gedoen het toe die Amalekiete sy huis vernietig het en sy familie gevangene geneem het: 1) Hy het na God toe vir krag gedraai. ‘…Maar Dawid het by die Here sy God krag ontvang’ (1 Samuel 30:6 NLV). As jy die probleem self kon oplos, sou jy dit al gedoen het. Deur jou magteloosheid te erken, is die eerste stap na oorwinning. Dit beteken dat jy nie kan nie, maar dat God kan; en dat Hy dit sal doen wanneer jy jouself aan Hom oorgee. 2) Hy het na God vir ‘n strategie gedraai. “Toe vra Dawid vir die Here: ‘Moet ek hulle agternasit? Sal ek hulle inhaal?’ En die Here het geantwoord: ‘Ja, agtervolg hulle. Jy sal hulle sekerlik inhaal en alles terugkry wat van jou geneem is'” (vers 8 NLV). Dawid was genadeloos; hy het nie opgehou totdat hy alles teruggekry het wat die vyand van hom gesteel het nie. Dit moet ook jou houding wees. Jy sê: ‘Maar ek het al soveel keer misluk.’ Die Bybel sê: ‘Selfs al val ‘n regverdige mens sewe keer, hy sal elke keer weer opstaan…’ (Spreuke 24:16 NLV). Jy vra: ‘Hoe kan ek regverdig in God se oë wees en steeds aanhou misluk?’ Omdat jou regverdigheid nie deur jou dade verdien word nie; dit word aan jou deur Christus se daad aan die kruis oorgedra (sien 2 Korintiërs 5:21). Hierdie wete sal jou die geloof en moed gee om te agtervolg, in te haal en alles terug te kry.
Sielskos: Deut 3-4; Luk 10:38-42; Ps 78:40-55; Spr 16:32
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV
Many of us have a stubborn habit that shouldn’t be part of our life because it takes our focus away from God. It might be something like spending too much time on social media, or comfort eating, or an addiction to alcohol, gambling, or pornography. We can end up feeling trapped by our habits, but Jesus said He came so that ‘captives will be released’ (Luke 4:18 NLT). We can get back what we’ve lost through our bad habits, or even something better, by doing two things David did when the Amalekites destroyed his home and took his family captive: 1) He turned to God for strength. ‘David found strength in the LORD his God’ (1 Samuel 30:6 NLT). If we could solve our problems ourselves, we’d have done it. Acknowledging our powerlessness is the first step to victory. But acknowledging it is not the same as giving in to defeat and despair. It means that we can’t, but God can, and He will when we surrender to Him. 2) He turned to God for a strategy. ‘David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”‘ (v. 8 NKJV). David didn’t stop until he recovered everything the enemy had stolen from him. When God gives us a strategy, we need to have that attitude too. He wants us to live free from damaging habits, and to recover what they’ve taken from our lives. Knowing that will give us the faith and courage to ‘pursue…overtake…and recover all.’
Deut 3-4; Luke 10:38-42; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 16:32
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV
Are you battling a stubborn habit like drugs and alcohol? Gambling? Overeating? Pornography? Here’s good news. Jesus said He came “that captives will be released” (Luke 4:18 NLT). You can recover. You can get back what you’ve lost, or something better. How? By doing two things David did when the Amalekites destroyed his home and took his family captive: (1) He turned to God for strength. “David strengthened himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV). Face it; if you could solve the problem yourself you’d have done it. Acknowledging your powerlessness is the first step to victory. But acknowledging it is not the same as giving in to defeat and despair. It means that you can’t, but God can, and He will when you surrender to Him. (2) He turned to God for a strategy. “David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all'” (v. 8 NKJV). Note the word “pursue.” David was relentless; he didn’t stop until he recovered everything the enemy had stolen from him. And that must be your attitude too. You say, “But I’ve failed so often.” The Bible says, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV). You say, “How can I be righteous in God’s eyes and keep falling?” Because your righteousness is not earned by your performance, it’s transferred to you through Christ’s performance on the cross (See 2 Corinthians 5:21). Knowing that will give you the faith and courage to “pursue…overtake…and recover all” – and bounce back.
Soul food: Deut 3-4; Luke 10:38-42; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 16:32
