2025-01-31
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
Jonathan was the rightful heir to the throne of his father, Saul, but David had been called by God to succeed Saul as Israel’s next king. From day one, they were on a collision course. They had everything to lose by becoming friends, because ultimately only one of them could reign. So how did they handle it? Were they competitive, or suspicious, or jealous of one another? No, because neither was interested in promoting himself. The Bible says, “Jonathan made a solemn pact with David… by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt” (1 Samuel 18:3-4 NLT).
These were his most treasured personal possessions. He was willing to risk his life for David despite his father Saul’s warnings that Jonathan’s throne would never be established as long as David was alive (See 1 Samuel 20:31). Likewise, David jeopardized his life fighting the Philistines to help Saul and Jonathan establish their kingdom. The point of the story is this: A true friend is “there for you,” even when they would rather be somewhere else.
As one celebrity said, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” Solomon said, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” When was the last time you thanked God for the true friends in your life? What is it that makes them so special? Don’t assume they know how much you appreciate them. Tell them! And one more thought: If you want to have true friends – become one!
Soul food: Gen 4-6; Luke 7:24-35; Ps 107:33-43; Prov 3:27-28
Spreuke 17:17 NLV
Jonatan was die regmatige erfgenaam van die troon van sy vader, Saul, maar Dawid is deur God geroep om Saul as Israel se volgende koning op te volg. Op die ou einde kon net een van hulle koning word. Hoe het hulle dit hanteer? Was hulle kompeterend, of agterdogtig, of jaloers op mekaar? Nee. Die Bybel sê: ‘Jonatan en Dawid het toe ‘n plegtige ooreenkoms aangegaan… Jonatan het sy mantel uitgetrek en dit vir Dawid gegee. Hy het ook sy wapenrusting, sy swaard, sy boog en sy gordel vir hom gegee’ (1 Samuel 18:3-4 NLV).
Dit was Jonatan se kosbaarste besittings. Hy was gewillig om sy lewe vir Dawid te waag, ten spyte van sy pa Saul se waarskuwings dat Jonatan se troon nooit, solank as wat Dawid lewendig was, gevestig sou word nie (sien 1 Samuel 20:31). Net so het Dawid sy lewe in gevaar gestel deur teen die Filistyne te veg om Saul en Jonatan te help om hulle koninkryk te vestig. Die punt van die storie is: ‘n Ware vriend is daar vir jou, selfs wanneer hulle eerder êrens anders sou wou wees.
Soos een bekende gesê het: ‘Baie mense wil saam met jou in die limousine rondry, maar wat jy nodig het is iemand wat saam met jou die bus sal neem wanneer die limousine breek.’ Salomo het gesê: ‘Op ‘n vriend se lojaliteit kan jy altyd reken. Jou broer is gebore om jou te help wanneer daar probleme is.’ Wanneer laas het jy God vir die ware vriende in jou lewe gedank? Wat is dit wat hulle so spesiaal maak? Moenie aanneem dat hulle weet hoe baie jy hulle waardeer nie. Sê dit vir hulle! Onthou ook: As jy ware vriende wil hê – moet jy self een word!
Sielskos: Gen 4-6; Luk 7:24-35; Ps 107:33-43; Spr 3:27-28
2025-01-30
Proverbs 22:6 NLT
The Prodigal Son eventually came back home and was restored to his place in the family. When he lost everything and ended up feeding pigs, the Bible says, “He came to himself” (Luke 15:17 NKJV). It’s hard to watch someone you love suffer, but sometimes they need to hit the bottom in order to turn around. The Prodigal’s breaking point became his turning point. “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned'” (v. 18 NKJV). Notice his father was a good parent with a rebellious child. If that describes you, here are three pieces of sound advice:
(1) Don’t blame yourself and beat yourself up.
(2) Don’t judge your children’s weaknesses from your position of strength. The reason they cannot see is because they are spiritually blind. But God can open their eyes. Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father… draw him” (John 6:44 KJV). You do the praying, and let God do the drawing.
(3) Keep your heart and your door open. When the Prodigal Son finally came to his senses, he knew where to go; back home to the father who loved him. You cannot save your children from the consequences of their actions, and you may not be able to lessen the pain they’re going through. But if you pray, keep your heart and your door open, God can bring them back. “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” That’s a promise you can stand on today.
Soul food: Gen 1-3; Luke 7:11-23; Ps 107:23-32; Prov 3:25-26
Spreuke 22:6 NLV
Die Verlore Seun het uiteindelik huis toe gekom en weer sy plek in die familie ingeneem. Toe hy alles verloor het en in ‘n varkhok opgeëindig het, sê die Bybel hy het: ‘…uiteindelik tot sy sinne [gekom]…’ (Lukas 15:17 NLV). Dis moeilik om toe te kyk hoe iemand wat jy liefhet ly, maar soms is dit nodig dat hulle die bodem tref sodat hulle kan omdraai. Die Verlore Seun se breekpunt het sy omdraaipunt geword: ‘Ek sal huis toe gaan na my pa toe en sê: Pa, ek het gesondig…’ (vers 18 NLV). Sy pa was ‘n goeie vader met ‘n rebelse kind. As dit jou beskryf, is hier raad vir jou:
1) Moenie jouself blameer nie.
2) Moenie jou kind se swakheid vanaf jou posisie van krag oordeel nie. Die rede hoekom hulle nie kan sien nie is omdat hulle geestelik blind is. God kan egter hul oë oopmaak. Jesus het gesê: ‘Niemand kan na My toe kom as die Vader… hom nie na My toe laat kom nie…’ (Johannes 6:44 NLV). Jy kan vir jou kind bid en vertrou dat God hom na Jesus toe sal laat kom.
3) Hou jou hart en jou deur oop. Toe die Verlore Seun uiteindelik tot sy sinne gekom het, het hy geweet waarheen om te gaan; terug huis toe na die vader wat hom liefgehad het. Jy kan nie jou kinders van die gevolge van hulle aksies red nie en jy mag dalk nie in staat wees om die pyn waardeur hulle gaan te verminder nie. As jy egter bid en jou hart en jou deur oophou, kan God hulle terugbring. ‘Leer ‘n jongmens om die regte pad te kies, en wanneer hy eendag oud is, sal hy nie daarvan afwyk nie.’ Dis ‘n belofte waarop jy vandag kan staan.
Sielskos: Gen 1-3; Luk 7:11-23; Ps 107:23-32; Spr 3:25-26
2025-01-29
Genesis 41:51-52 NKJV
When you experience tragedy or loss, unless you get help, you can shut down emotionally and remain stuck. And when you focus on the pain of the past, you risk forfeiting the blessing God has for you in the future. If anyone had reason to give in to despair and quit, it was Joseph. Those who should have loved him resented and betrayed him. He was slandered, lied about, and falsely imprisoned. How did he survive it? Four times in Genesis 39, the Bible says, “The Lord was with Joseph.”
Having a sense of God’s presence will sustain you through things that would otherwise destroy you. Joseph knew it was in forgiving and forgetting rather than holding on to resentment that he was setting himself free and positioning himself to fulfill his divine destiny. How do we know this? Because of what he named his two sons. “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: ‘For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.’ And the name of the second he called Ephraim: ‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.'”
Who enabled Joseph to forget the pain inflicted on him by his family? God! What enabled him to overcome the injustices inflicted upon him by others? A daily sense of God’s presence. And today, God’s presence will do that for you too. His promise to you is, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned… For I am the Lord your God” (Isaiah 43:2-3 NKJV).
Soul food: Ecc 9-12; Luke 7:1-10; Ps 107:17-22; Prov 3:21-24
