2022-08-16
Psalm 37:25 NLV
As jy vandag bekommerd is dat jy nie vir alles sal kan sorg nie, lees die volgende: ‘Die Here bepaal die rigting van ‘n mens, en met sý lewe is Hy tevrede. Al sou so een struikel, hy sal nie val nie, want die Here hou sy hand vas. Ek was jonk, en nou is ek oud. Maar ‘n regverdige mens wat verlate is, het ek nooit gesien nie, of dat sy kinders vir kos moes bedel nie’ (verse 23-25 NLV).
Jy mag dalk vandag by die afgrond staan, maar God sal jou nie laat val nie. ‘Julle sal weer al die kos kry wat julle begeer. Julle sal die Here julle God loof wat hierdie wonders vir julle moontlik maak…’ (Joël 2:26 NLV). Hou op om alles te probeer uitpluis en begin op God steun. ‘Vertrou op die Here en doen wat goed is. Woon in die land en geniet veilige weiding. Wees bly in die Here, en Hy sal jou hartsbegeertes aan jou gee. Vertrou jou lewe toe aan die Here. Vertrou Hom, en Hy sal vir jou sorg;’ (Psalm 37:3-5 NLV).
God mag dalk nie vir jou alles gee wat jy wil hê nie, maar Hy sal vir jou alles gee wat jy nodig het: ‘Moet julle dus nie bekommer en vra: ‘Wat sal ons tog eet?’ of: ‘Wat sal ons drink?’ of: ‘Wat sal ons aantrek?’ nie. Dit is die ongelowiges wat oor hierdie soort dinge begaan is. Julle hemelse Vader weet tog dat julle dit alles nodig het. Nee, maak die koningsheerskappy van God en dit wat voor Hom reg is, julle heel eerste prioriteit; dan sal God vir julle al hierdie ander dinge as ‘n bonus byvoeg’ (Matteus 6:31-33 NLV). ‘Gee jou kommer oor aan die Here. Hy sal vir jou sorg…’ (Psalm 55:23 NLV). Moenie bekommerd wees nie, God sal vir jou sorg!
Sielskos: 1 Pet 1-2; Mark 5:21-30; Ps 119:57-64; Spr 17:22
Psalm 37:25 NKJV
If you’re worried about making ends meet, read on: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (vv. 23-25 NKJV).
You may be at the cliff’s edge today, but God won’t let you go over it. And if you do, He will catch you. “You will have plenty to eat… and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you” (Joel 2:26 NIV). Stop trying to figure everything out and start leaning on God. “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:3-5 NLT).
God may not give you everything you want, but He will give you everything you need: “Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT). “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you” (Psalm 55:22 NLT). Don’t worry, God will take care of you!
Soul food: 1 Pet 1-2; Mark 5:21-30; Ps 119:57-64; Prov 17:22
2022-08-15
Prediker 2:20 DB
Wanneer jou medewerkers jou teleurstel. Jy sal nie sonder die regte mense sukses in die lewe behaal nie. Wanneer die mense op wie jy staatmaak jou egter faal, is dit pynlik. Dink jou Moses se teleurstelling in. Hy het sy broer, Aäron, in beheer gelaat toe hy veertig dae op Sinaiberg deurgebring het om die Tien Gebooie te ontvang. Wat sien hy egter toe hy terugkeer? Israel wat ‘n goue kalf aanbid – wat deur Aäron gemaak is. Toe Moses hom die nodigste gehad het, het Aäron klaaglik misluk.
Kyk egter wat Moses doen; ware leierskap blink in teleurstelling uit. Hy konfronteer Aäron, neem die gemors na God toe en bid vir Israel se vergifnis. God reageer en herinner Moses aan sy opdrag. ‘Gaan nou en gaan lei die volk na die plek wat Ek vir jou gesê het. My engel sal voor jou uitgaan…’ (Eksodus 32:34 NLV). Teleurstelling kanselleer nie jou opdrag – of God se teenwoordigheid – nie. Doen dus wat God vir jou gesê het om te doen. Wanneer diegene waaraan jy jou lewe gewy het, jou teleurstel.
Kom ons kyk weer na Moses, die stigtersleraar van die kerk in die woestyn. Sy gemeente bestaan uit voormalige slawe wat verlos is, geseën is en wat op pad is na die Beloofde Land, maar wat nie ‘n greintjie lojaliteit of dankbaarheid teenoor die man wat alles op die spel geplaas het om dit moontlik te maak, het nie. Hulle is pas uit Egipte voor hulle teen Moses draai en hom beskuldig, blameer en berispe (sien Eksodus 14).
Was Moses teleurgesteld en seergemaak? Ja. Elke keer wat hy egter wou tou opgooi, het hy dit met God bespreek, vir sy klaende gemeente gebid, nuwe opdragte by die hoofkantoor gekry en teruggekeer werk toe. Dis wat jy ook moet doen.
Sielskos: Deut 32:29-34:12; Mark 5:11-20; Ps 119:49-56; Spr 17:18-21
Ecclesiastes 2:20 NLT
When you’re disappointed in those you work with. You won’t succeed in life without the right people. But when the people you count on fail you, it’s painful. Imagine Moses’ disappointment. He leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he spends forty days on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. When he returns, what does he find? Israel worshiping a golden calf – made by Aaron. When Moses needs him most, Aaron fails miserably. But watch Moses: true leadership shines in disappointment. He confronts Aaron, takes the mess to God, and prays for the forgiveness of Israel. God responds, then reminds Moses of his assignment. “Go, lead the people… my angel will go before you” (Exodus 32:34 NIV). Disappointment doesn’t cancel your assignment – or God’s presence. So do what God has told you to do!
When you’re disappointed in those you have poured your life into. Let’s check in again with Moses, founding pastor of the church in the wilderness. His congregation is made up of former slaves who have been delivered, blessed, and who are en route to the Promised Land, but without a shred of loyalty or gratitude for the man who put everything on the line to make it possible. Fresh out of Egypt, they turn on Moses, accusing, blaming, and berating him (See Exodus 14). Was Moses disappointed and hurt? Yes. But each time he wanted to quit, he would discuss it with God, pray for his complaining flock, get fresh orders from headquarters, and return to work.
That’s what God-called men and women do when they’re disappointed and feel like giving up. And it’s what you must do, too.
Soul food: Deut 32:29-34:12; Mark 5:11-20; Ps 119:49-56; Prov 17:18-21
2022-08-14
Job 30:26 NKJV
When you’re disappointed in leadership. It would be reasonable to assume you could trust Eli, the high priest in Israel. That’s what Samuel’s mother thought when she entrusted her son to him, confident he would mentor him for God’s service. But Eli had a serious character flaw. He was a weak parent, one who stood by while his sons abused their priestly privileges through taking bribes and consorting with prostitutes.
Who would have blamed young Samuel for taking a nosedive, when the man he looked up to failed so badly? But no, he fielded his disappointment and kept his eyes on God: “Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him” (1 Samuel 3:19 KJV). As a result, he became one of Israel’s greatest prophets. How do you handle disappointment in your leader? By keeping your eyes on the Lord!
When you’re disappointed in your family. Ask Joseph. When God gave him a vision of future success, he thought his brothers would rejoice. Instead they responded with resentment, selling him into slavery. Far from friends and home, he languished in prison for years for a crime he didn’t commit. What an invitation to bitterness, to rehash the wrongs done to you while plotting your revenge. But if Joseph had done that, he would have died an unknown convict in a foreign prison. Instead, he allowed God to vindicate him.
And God will do that for you, too. “No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 54:17 NLT).
Soul food: Jer 31:31-37; Heb 8:1-13
