2021-01-05
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
For the next few days let’s look at some reasons why our prayers aren’t answered: Fallen angelic powers. For three weeks Daniel prayed and got no answer. Why? Because an evil force in the spiritual realm, “the Prince of Persia,” blocked it (See Daniel10:13). So God assigned Michael, one of the archangels, to do battle with him. Twenty-one days later the struggle ended, and Daniel got his answer.
Paul says, “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).
How powerful is the Devil? Powerful enough to deceive you (See 2 Corinthians 4:4). Powerful enough to bring sickness (See Job 2:7). Powerful enough to oppose the righteous (See Zechariah 3:1). Powerful enough to devour you (See1 Peter 5:8). You ask, “What can I do to overcome him?”
After telling us we’re fighting against the forces of the unseen world, Paul says, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT). The Christ who lives within you is stronger than the Enemy you face. Jesus said, “When a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe – until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him” (Luke 11:21-22 NLT). Satan is strong, but Jesus is “even stronger.”
John records: “The accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth – the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony” (Revelation12:10-11 NLT). Aren’t you glad?
Soul food: Exo 7-9; Matt 4:12-25; Ps 10:1-11; Prov 1:10-16
Jeremia 33:3 NLV
Kom ons kyk vir die volgende paar dae na redes hoekom ons gebede nie beantwoord word nie: Magte van gevalle engele. Daniël het vir drie weke lank gebid en geen antwoord gekry nie. Hoekom? Omdat ‘n bose mag in die geestelik ryk dit geblokkeer het (sien Daniël 10:13). Dus het God vir Migael, een van die aartsengele, gestuur om hom te beveg. Een-en-twintig dae later was die stryd verby en het Daniël sy antwoord ontvang.
Paulus sê: ‘Want ons stryd is nie teen mense nie, maar teen bose hemelse regeerders en maghebbers… teen die bose geeste in die hemelruimtes’ (Efesiërs 6:12 NLV). Hoe magtig is die Duiwel? Magtig genoeg om jou om die bos te lei (sien 2 Korintiërs 4:4). Magtig genoeg om die regverdiges aan te kla (sien Sagaria 3:1). Magtig genoeg om jou te verslind (sien 1 Petrus 5:8).
Jy vra: ‘Wat kan ek doen om hom te oorkom? Paulus sê dit ook vir ons: ‘Doen alles deur gebed en smeking. Laat die Gees julle elke keer in die gebed lei. Bly in alle omstandighede op julle hoede en bid vir almal wat aan God behoort’ (Efesiërs 6:18 NLV).
Die Christus wat binne-in jou woon, is magtiger as die Vyand waarvoor jy te staan kom. Jesus het gesê: ‘Want wanneer Satan, wat ten volle gewapen is, sy paleis bewaak, is dit veilig – totdat iemand wat sterker is, hom aanval en oorweldig…’ (Lukas 11:21-22 NLV). Satan is sterk, maar Jesus is sterker.
Johannes teken die volgende op: ‘…Die aanklaer van ons medegelowiges is neergewerp, hy wat hulle dag en nag voor ons God aangekla het. En hulle het hom self oorwin op grond van die bloed van die Lam en die boodskap waaroor hulle getuig het…’ (Openbaring 12:10-11 NLV). Is jy nie bly daaroor nie?
Sielskos: Eks 7-9; Matt 4:12-25; Ps 10:1-11; Spr 1:10-16
2021-01-04
Deuteronomium 11:12 NLV
Hierdie jaar sal God vir jou sorg. Soos ‘n goeie vader vir sy geliefde kind sorg, sal God oor jou waak en nooit sy oë van jou afneem nie. Hy sal dit ‘dwarsdeur die jaar’ doen. Wie anders kan so ‘n belofte maak – en dit nakom? Jou bankier en prokureur is normaalweg Maandag tot Vrydag vir jou beskikbaar, mits hulle nie te besig is nie en jy hulle dadelik telefonies in die hande kan kry. As jy siek word en nie in ‘n kritieke toestand is nie, mag jy dalk op die dokter se waglys beland.
Dis nie hoe dit met God is nie! Hy waarborg aan jou deurlopende sorg! Jy het egter ook ‘n rol om te speel: ‘As julle al die gebooie wat ek vandag vir julle gee, noukeurig gehoorsaam, en as julle die Here julle God met hart en siel liefhet en Hom dien, sal Ek vir julle reën gee op die regte tyd sodat julle koring [voorsiening in al jou behoeftes], druiwe vir die wyn [vreugde en geluk], en olywe vir olie [die krag en teenwoordigheid van God] kan oes. In die veld sal Ek weiding voorsien vir julle diere [beleggings] sodat julle oorgenoeg kan hê om te eet [seën en sukses in jou besigheid en loopbaan]’ (verse 13-15 NLV).
As jy saam met God stap en Hom eer in alles wat jy doen, kan hierdie een van die mees geseënde jare van jou lewe wees.
Sielskos: Eks 4-6; Matt 4:1-11; Ps 90:7-17; Spr 1:5-9
Deuteronomy 11:12 NKJV
This year God will take care of us. Like a good parent taking care of beloved children, God will watch over us, and pay attention to us. And He’ll do it ‘from the beginning of the year to the very end’. Nobody else can make this promise to us and keep it. Most people will make time for us if they’re not too busy with other things that have a higher priority in their lives than us. And even the best earthly parents can’t give their full attention every single moment of the day – they might have to go to work, go shopping, have household jobs to do or other children to look after. But God, with His infinite power, can keep a constant watch over each one of us.
But we have a part to play as well: ‘If you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and…soul…I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled’ (v.13-15 NKJV).
In other words, if we do what God asks and live His way, we can be confident that He’ll meet all our needs, fill us with His peace and joy, bless us, and help us be successful in the things we do for His kingdom. So this year, let’s walk with God and honour Him in everything that we do and with everything that we have.
Exo 4-6; Matt 4:1-11; Ps 90:7-17; Prov 1:5-9
Deuteronomy 11:12 NKJV
This year God will take care of you. Like a good father taking care of a child he loves, God will watch over you, never taking His eye off you. And He will do it “from the beginning of the year to the very end.” Who else can make such a promise – and keep it?
Your lawyer and your banker are normally available to you Monday through Friday, if they’re not too busy; otherwise, you can end up playing “telephone tag.” And if you get sick, unless you’re in critical condition you may end up on a doctor’s waiting list or fighting with your health insurance carrier. That’s not how it is with God! He guarantees you around-the-clock care.
But you have a part to play as well: “If you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and…soul…I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain [provision for all your needs], your new wine [joy and happiness], and your oil [the power and presence of God]. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock [investments], that you may eat and be filled [blessing and success in your business and career]” (vv. 13-15 NKJV).
Bottom line: if you walk with God and honor Him in all you do, this can be one of the most blessed years of your life.
Soul food: Exo 4-6; Matt 4:1-11; Ps 90:7-17; Prov 1:5-9
