2026-02-12
Proverbs 8:14 NLT
The fear of success derails many dreams. Sometimes success brings resentment from those closest to you. Being successful can also create its own anxiety; namely, you fear that you are unable to maintain your success. Then there’s the fear of attracting people who want what you’ve got but are not willing to pay the price you paid to get it. Solomon warned, “Wealth attracts many friends” (Proverbs 19:4 NIV).
Then there’s the fear of being bombarded by constant requests for money. What if you say no? You must follow your heart, give as God directs you, and leave your image up to Him. David said, “You surround them with your favour as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12 NIV).
The favour of God can make you a target. And while you must always try to be fair in your behavior toward others, you cannot reject the favour God sends your way just to keep others from becoming envious. You must embrace God’s favour as part of your destiny.
Perhaps growing up, you were told that you should not expect success. And now that you have it, you may feel that you don’t deserve it and that it won’t last. Indeed, you may find yourself engaging in self-sabotaging behavior that will confirm your own worst fears and bring them to fruition. What should you do?
First, thank God that you understand the root of your problem. Second, talk it out with a good listener. As you hear yourself put the problem in perspective, you may find yourself declaring the words of Solomon: “Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.”
Soul food: 1 Thes 1-5; Luke 9:37-45; Ps 145:1-13; Prov 4:20-22
Spreuke 8:14 AFR83
Die vrees vir sukses ontspoor baie drome. Soms raak diegene naby aan jou wrokkig wanneer jy sukses behaal. Om suksesvol te wees, kan jou ook angstig laat voel en laat vrees dat jy nie jou sukses sal kan handhaaf nie. Dan is daar ook die vrees dat jy mense sal aantrek wat jou sukses wil misbruik. Salomo het ons gewaarsku: ‘Rykdom bring baie mooiweersvriende…’ (Spreuke 19:4 NLV).
Dan is daar die vrees om met voortdurende versoeke vir geld gebombardeer te word. Wat as jy nee sê? Jy moet jou hart volg, gee soos God jou lei en die res aan Hom oorlaat. Dawid het gesê: ‘…u genade is vir hulle soos ‘n skild’ (Psalm 5:13 NLV).
Die guns van God kan van jou ‘n teiken maak. Alhoewel jy altyd moet probeer om deur jou gedrag regverdig teenoor ander mense te wees, kan jy nie God se guns verwerp net om te keer dat ander afgunstig raak nie. Jy moet God se guns as deel van jou lewensdoel omhels.
Miskien is daar vir jou gesê dat jy nooit sukses sal behaal nie, dus voel jy dalk dat jy dit nie verdien nie en dat dit nie sal hou nie. Jy mag dan op so ‘n manier optree dat jy jouself saboteer, wat jou eie ergste vrese bevestig en dit tot verwesenliking bring. Wat moet jy dus doen?
Eerstens, dank God dat jy die wortel van jou probleem verstaan. Tweedens, praat met ‘n goeie luisteraar daaroor. Soos jy jouself hoor praat en die probleem in perspektief plaas, mag jy jouself bevind waar jy jou met die woorde van Salomo begin identifiseer: ‘Wie my het, het raad en behaal sukses, ek verleen insig, ek is die een wat die mag gee.’
Sielskos: 1 Tess 1-5; Luk 9:37-45; Ps 145:1-13; Spr 4:20-22
2026-02-11
Josua 8:30 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘Josua het daarna ‘n altaar op die Ebalberg vir die Here, die God van Israel, gebou… soos… voorgeskryf… ‘Maak vir my ‘n altaar met klip wat nie met ‘n ysterinstrument bewerk is nie.’ Hulle het op die altaar brandoffers vir die Here gebring… Al die Israeliete… is in twee groepe verdeel… Een deel het by die Gerisimberg gestaan en die ander deel by die Ebalberg… Josua het toe vir hulle alles wat die wet sê oor seën en straf voorgelees, soos in die boek van die wet geskryf staan’ (Josua 8:30-34 NLV).
Daar is twee belangrike lesse uit hierdie gebeurtenis te leer. Eerstens, ‘…’n altaar met klip wat nie met ‘n ysterinstrument bewerk is nie…’ spreek van God se onverdiende genade teenoor ons – daar is geen menslike pogings betrokke nie. ‘Dit is mos dié onverdiende goedheid wat julle gered het toe julle tot geloof gekom het. En julle geloof kom nie uit julleself nie, maar is ‘n gawe van God. Dit is nie as gevolg van julle dade nie…’ (Efesiërs 2:8-9 NLV).
Tweedens, let op waar hierdie altaar gebou is. Die helfte van Israel het by Gerisimberg en die ander helfte by Ebalberg gestaan. Diegene by Gerisimberg het hom die seëninge hoor lees en diegene by Ebalberg het hom die strawwe hoor lees. Die altaar is egter nie op Gerisim, die berg van seëninge, gebou nie, maar op Ebal, die heuwel van straf.
Die boodskap is duidelik: selfs wanneer jy foute maak, is God genadig teenoor jou. C. S. Lewis het gesê: ‘Gehoorsaamheid is die sleutel wat elke deur oopmaak.’ Selfs wanneer jy dus misluk en aan God ongehoorsaam is, kan jy terugkeer na die altaar van genade by Ebalberg. Dit is gebou vir mense soos jy.
Sielskos: Jona 1-4; Luk 9:28-36; Ps 141; Spr 4:18-19
Joshua 8:30 NKJV
The Bible says, “Joshua built an altar to the Lord… in Mount Ebal… ‘an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool.’ And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord… Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal… He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings” (Joshua 8:30-34 NKJV).
There are two important lessons in this otherwise obscure Old Testament story. First, “an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool” speaks of God’s unearned and unmerited grace toward us – no human effort involved. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).
Second, notice where this altar was built. When Israel listened to Joshua reading the blessings and cursings recorded in the Law of Moses, half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half in front of Mount Ebal. Those in front of Mount Gerizim heard him read the blessings, and those in front of Mount Ebal heard him read the cursings. But the altar was not built on Gerizim, the mount of blessings, but on Ebal, the hill of cursing.
The message is clear: even when you “blow it,” God extends His grace to you. C. S. Lewis said, “Obedience is the key that opens every door.” So even when you fail and disobey God, you can return to the altar of grace at Mount Ebal. It’s built for people like you.
Soul food: Jonah 1-4; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Prov 4:18-19
2026-02-10
Psalm 34:6 NLT
It had been twenty-five years since Fontella Bass’s rhythm and blues single “Rescue Me” hit number one on the charts. She had no career to speak of, and she was penniless, tired, and cold. The only heat in her house came from a gas stove in the kitchen. She had strayed from her faith and the church where she started singing gospel songs as a child.
As she prayed, Fontella asked God for “a sign” to confirm that He heard her. Suddenly, she heard her hit song “Rescue Me” on a television commercial! To her, it was as if “the Lord had stepped right into my world!” Fontella was unaware that American Express had been using her song in a commercial and hadn’t been able to locate her to pay royalties.
Not only did she receive back-royalties, but new opportunities also began to open for her to sing. Shortly after that, she released a new album. But the best news is that she renewed her relationship with the Lord. “For so many years I tried doing it on my own, and it didn’t work,” she said. “Then I took it out of my hands and turned it over to Him, and now everything’s happening.”
The psalmist David wrote: “In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened, he saved me from all my troubles… . Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:6, 8 NLT). And what God did for David and Fontella Bass, He will do for you if you’ll only turn to Him.
Soul food: Num 34-36; Luke 9:18-27; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17
