2021-08-18
Josua 9:14 NLV
Wanneer jy God raadpleeg voor jy besluite neem, hou dit jou uit allerhande soorte moeilikheid uit. Josua het dit op die harde manier geleer. Hy het pas Jerigo, die grootste stad in die Beloofde Land, ingeneem. Op die hakke van hierdie oorwinning, het die Israeliete gevoel dat hulle nie God rakende hulle volgende beweging hoef te raadpleeg nie.
Oormatige selfvertroue kan egter dodelik wees! Die Gibeoniete, een van die vyandige nasies van die Beloofde Land, het besef dat hulle nie God se mense kan verslaan nie, dus het hulle onderhandelaars gestuur om sogenaamde vrede met hulle te gaan maak. Dit het gewerk. Selfs al het die Gibeoniete gejok, het Josua aangeneem dat hulle die waarheid praat en het ‘n vredesverdrag met hulle geteken. Van daardie dag af was die Gibeoniete ‘n konstante doring in Israel se vlees. Josua was baie spyt dat hy nie ‘…by die Here gaan raad vra [het] nie.’ Sommige van die oudste gesange bevat die grootste waarhede. Hier is een van hulle: ‘Hoe verbeur ons tog die vrede, ag, hoe dikwels ly ons smart, net omdat ons nie ons node uitstort in Gods Vaderhart!’
Is jy iemand wat dinge uit jou eie krag wil laat gebeur? Daar is ‘n fyn lyn tussen Godgegewe selfvertroue en selfonderhoudendheid; en wanneer jy daardie lyn oorsteek kan dit jou duur te staan kom. As jy ‘n geneigdheid het om te vinnig te beweeg of vanuit jou eie sterkpunte en vaardighede op te tree, lees die volgende woorde versigtig en biddend: ‘Vertrou op die Here met alles wat jy het. Moenie staatmaak op jou eie insigte nie. Vra na die wil van God in alles wat jy doen. Hy sal vir jou die regte pad wys. Moenie jouself oorskat nie…’ (Spreuke 3:5-7 NLV).
Sielskos: Rig 16:1-19:15; Luk 14:25-35; Ps 119:89-96; Spr 18:1-5
Joshua 9:14 MSG
When we talk to God before making decisions, it keeps us out of all sorts of trouble. Joshua learned this the hard way. He had just conquered Jericho, the biggest city in the Promised Land. The Israelites were elated and full of their victory, and didn’t feel like they needed to consult God about their next move. But over-confidence can be dangerous.
The Gibeonites, one of the enemy nations in the Promised Land, realised they couldn’t win against God’s people, so they sent negotiators in to make peace with them. And it worked. Joshua assumed they were telling the truth and signed a treaty. But the Gibeonites were lying. It proved to be one of the biggest mistakes of Joshua’s life. From that day on the Gibeonites were a constant thorn in Israel’s side, and Joshua must have regretted that he ‘didn’t ask GOD about it’. An old hymn contains a very important truth about this: ‘O what peace we often forfeit; O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.’
There’s a fine line between God-given assurance and self-sufficiency, and when we cross that line it can cost us dearly. If you tend to move too quickly, rely on your own strength and skill, or forget to involve God, read these words carefully and prayerfully: ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success. Don’t depend on your own wisdom. Respect the LORD and refuse to do wrong’ (Proverbs 3:5-7 NCV).
Judg 16:1-19:15; Luke 14:25-35; Ps 119:89-96; Prov 18:1-5
2021-08-17
2 Corinthians 6:4 CEV
Being Christians doesn’t mean we’ll be free from troubles and battles, but God will help us get through them when they come. Paul described it this way: ‘In everything and in every way we show that we truly are God’s servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and gone without sleep or food. But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. We have spoken the truth, and God’s power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. Whether we were honoured or dishonoured or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours’ (2 Corinthians 4-10 CEV).
When our faith is tested, it attracts God’s power and brings His grace into the situation. He’ll fight for us on our battlefields, take us through our storms, and turn our seasons of trouble into seasons of growth. The Bible says, ‘Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered’ (Hebrews 5:8 NLT). He knows what it’s like to face challenges, so He’ll be there to strengthen and guide us when we face our own.
Judg 12-15; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 119:81-88; Prov 17:27-28
2 Corinthians 6:4 CEV
The Christian life comes with blessings – and battles. You can’t have one without the other. Paul describes it this way: “In everything and in every way we show that we truly are God’s servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and gone without sleep or food. But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. We have spoken the truth, and God’s power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. Whether we were honoured or dishonoured or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours” (vv. 4-10 CEV).
God will fight for you on your battlefield, take you through your storm, and turn your season of adversity into a season of advancement. When your faith is under fire it attracts His power and brings His grace into your situation. The Bible says, “Even Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered” (See Hebrews 5:8). So rejoice, you’re not losing – you’re gaining!
Soul food: Judg 12-15; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 119:81-88; Prov 17:27-28
2 Korintiërs 6:4 NLV
Die Christelike lewe kom met baie seëninge – en ook baie gevegte. Jy kan nie die een sonder die ander hê nie. Paulus beskryf dit as volg: ‘In elke opsig laat ons ons ken as diensknegte van God, ook in ons volharding en swaarkry, ontbering en nood. In die tronk, onder katshoue, onder swaarkry, in oproere, in hongersnood het ons met nougesetheid opgetree, met begrip, met verdraagsaamheid en vriendelikheid, deur betoning van die teenwoordigheid van die Heilige Gees, deur opregte liefde, deur die boodskap van die waarheid en in die krag van God. Ons tree op met die wapens van geregtigheid in ons regter- en linkerhand, in eer en oneer, in veragting en aanprysing; soos verleiers, en tog is ons opreg; soos onbekendes, en tog is ons goed bekend; soos mense wat sterwend is, en kyk, ons lewe; soos swaar gestrafdes, en tog is ons nie doodgemaak nie; soos hartseer mense, en tog is ons altyd blymoedig; soos bedelaars, maar ons verryk baie mense; soos mense wat niks besit nie, en tog besit ons alles’ (verse 4-10 NLV).
God sal vir jou op jou slagveld baklei, jou deur jou storm neem en jou seisoen van teëspoed in ‘n seisoen van vooruitgang verander. Wanneer jou geloof aangeval word, trek dit sy krag aan en bring dit sy genade in jou situasie in. Die Bybel sê: ‘Selfs al was Hy die Seun, het Hy gehoorsaamheid geleer deur wat Hy gely het’ (Hebreërs 5:8 NLV). Verbly jou dus, jy is nie besig om te verloor nie – jy is besig om te kry!
Sielskos: Rig 12-15; Luk 14:15-24; Ps 119:81-88; Spr 17:27-28
