2021-12-18
1 Chronicles 12:32 NCV
William Orton, the president of Western Union, rejected an offer to buy the patents for the first telephone. The University of Southern California’s film school rejected an application (possibly several times) from Steven Spielberg. The technology company HP was offered the design of the first Apple computer, but chose not to take it up. What did all of these people and organisations have in common? They showed a lack of discernment and missed some great opportunities as a result.
When it comes to seeing life’s opportunities and solving life’s problems, we need discernment. It enables us to see what others don’t, fill in the missing pieces, and get to the heart of the matter. If we can see the root cause of a problem, we have a much better chance of solving it. That means when we stay in the area of our core gifts, our discernment will be stronger. So if we want to tap into our discernment potential, we should try to work from the areas of our strengths and giftings.
But there’s something else we can do: pray for discernment. It’s one of the nine ‘gifts of the Spirit’ promised to us in Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Some of Israel’s greatest victories were won when David was king. And when we take a look at some of those who were part of his army, we read, ‘There were two hundred leaders from Issachar. They knew what Israel should do, and they knew the right time to do it.’
Discernment enables us to see doors of opportunity where others can only see brick walls. It will show us what we should do. So let’s ask God for the gift of discernment.
Zech 5-8; John 20:19-31; Ps 67; Prov 30:29-33
1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV
Who said, “I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle the matter by lunchtime”? Napoleon Bonaparte over breakfast with his generals just before the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Who said, “I think there is a world market for about five computers”? Thomas J. Watson, the chairman of IBM, in 1943. Who said, “I don’t need bodyguards”? Jimmy Hoffa, a month before his disappearance in 1975. What did all these men have in common? Lack of discernment – and it cost them dearly.
When it comes to seeing life’s opportunities and solving life’s problems, you need discernment. It enables you to see what others don’t, fill in the missing pieces, and get to the heart of the matter. If you can see the root cause of a problem, you have a much better chance of solving it.
That means when you stay in the area of your core gift, your discernment will be stronger. So if you want to tap into your discernment potential, work from the areas of your strength. But do more. Pray for discernment. It’s one of the nine “gifts of the Spirit” promised to us in Scripture (See 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV).
Some of Israel’s greatest victories were won when David was king. And when we study the makeup of his army, we read, “The sons of Issachar…had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Discernment enables you to see doors of opportunity where others see only brick walls. It will save you from life’s pitfalls and show you what you “ought to do” – so pray for discernment.
Soul food: Zech 5-8; John 20:19-31; Ps 67; Prov 30:29-33
2021-12-17
1 Samuel 30:8 NLV
Toe Dawid en sy manskappe weg was om oorlog te maak, het die Amalekiete hulle huise vernietig en hulle families gevange geneem. Eerstens het Dawid se manskappe gehuil. Tweedens het hulle na Dawid vir leiding gedraai. Derdens het Dawid God se wil gesoek, deur te vra: “…’Moet ek hulle agternasit? Sal ek hulle inhaal?’ En die Here het geantwoord: ‘Ja, agtervolg hulle. Jy sal hulle sekerlik inhaal en alles terugkry wat van jou geneem is.'”
Let vier belangrike punte op: 1) Satan sal jou geliefdes aanval om jou by te kom. Dit mag dalk iets groots wees soos jou man wat sy werk verloor of jou vrou wat ‘n knop in haar bors ontdek, of dit kan kleiner goed soos familiespanning of ‘n gebrek aan bedagsaamheid teenoor mekaar, wees. Jy moet waaksaam bly en Satan se aanvalle kan herken, sodat jy jouself teen hulle kan verdedig.
2) Wees lief vir mense, maar maak slegs op God staat. Die mense rondom Dawid het die een dag nog saam met hom geveg, en die volgende dag hul rug op hom gedraai. Dis hoekom jou krag, strategieë en oplossings van God en nie van ander mense af nie, moet kom.
3) Praat op die regte manier met jouself. As jy moedeloos wil wees, praat oor jou situasie. As jy moed wil skep, praat met die Een wat jou situasie kan oplos – die Here. Die Bybel sê: ‘Vriendelike woorde bring lewe…’ (Spreuke 15:4 NLV). Leer dus om op die regte manier met jouself te praat.
4) Jy kan dit wat jy verloor het, terugkry. God het vir Dawid gesê: ‘…Ja, agtervolg hulle. Jy sal hulle sekerlik inhaal en alles terugkry wat van jou geneem is.’ Wat God daardie dag vir Dawid en sy manne gedoen het sal Hy vir jou ook doen, mits jy sy wil soek.
Sielskos: Sag 1-4; Joh 20:10-18; Ps 57; Spr 30:24-28
1 Samuel 30:8 NLT
While David and his men were off fighting, the Amalekites destroyed their homes and took their families captive. First, David’s army wept. Second, they looked to David for guidance. Third, David looked to God, saying, ‘”Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the LORD told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was take from you!”‘
There are four important points we need to remember: 1) Satan will attack our loved ones to get to us. It might be big stuff like a parent losing their job or a brother or sister becoming ill; or it could be little stuff like low-grade family tension and lack of consideration for each other. We need to stay alert and discern Satan’s attacks so we can defend ourselves against them.
2) Love people but lean only on God. The people David fought side by side with were the same ones who turned against him. That’s why our strength, strategies, and solutions must come from God, not others.
3) Talk to God. ‘David found strength in the LORD his God’ (v.6 NLT). If we talk about our situation, we can become discouraged. But if we talk to God, the One who can change our situation, we’ll be encouraged. The Bible says, ‘As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life, but dishonest words crush the spirit’ (Proverbs 15:4 NCV). God’s words will strengthen and uplift us.
4) We can get back what we’ve lost. God told David, ‘Go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you.’ And what God did for David and his men that day, He’ll do for each one of us if we seek Him.
Zech 1-4; John 20:10-18; Ps 57; Prov 30:24-28
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV
While David and his men were off fighting, the Amalekites destroyed their homes and took their families captive. First, David’s army wept. Second, they looked to David for guidance. Third, David sought God, saying, “‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.'”
Notice four important points: (1) Satan will attack your loved ones to get to you. It may be big stuff like your husband losing his job or your wife discovering a lump in her breast, or little stuff like low-grade family tension and lack of consideration for each other. You need to stay alert and discern Satan’s attacks so you can defend yourself against them.
(2) Love people but lean only on God. The people David fought side by side with one day turned against him the next day. That’s why your strength, strategies, and solutions for living must come from God, not others.
(3) Talk to yourself in the right way. “David encouraged himself in the Lord” (v. 6). If you want to end up discouraged, talk about your situation. If you want to be encouraged, talk to the One who can change your situation – the Lord. The Bible says, “A wholesome [uplifting, positive, inspiring] tongue is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4 NKJV). So learn to talk to yourself in the right way.
(4) You can get back what you have lost. God told David, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” And what God did for David and his men that day, He will do for you if you seek Him.
Soul food: Zech 1-4; John 20:10-18; Ps 57; Prov 30:24-28
