2023-03-09
Psalm 23:3 NLV
Die lewe is vol keuses, besluite en opsies. Dis ook vol mense met sterk opinies wat jou sal probeer vertel in watter rigting hulle dink jy moet gaan. As ons tyd kon terugdraai, sou amper almal van ons besluite in die verlede verander, omdat dit ons op die pad van ‘verkeerdheid’, eerder as die pad van ‘geregtigheid’, gebring het.
Skape sal na alles wat hulle instinkte aanspreek, soos ‘n bessiebos, aangetrek word, selfs al neem dit hulle van die kudde en die herder se beskermende sorg af weg. Hulle dink dat hulle weet wat die regte pad is, terwyl hulle eintlik nie ‘n idee het nie.
Vraag: Is jy besig om jou aptyte en eetlus, eerder as jou skaapwagter te volg? Jy sê: ‘Maar God het vir my ‘n brein gegee om te gebruik.’ Ja, maar jy moet dit ontwikkel. Dis beperk en sal jou net so ver neem. Die Heilige Gees wil jou graag verby daardie beperkinge neem. ‘Want almal wat hulle laat lei deur die Gees van God – hulle is God se kinders’ (Romeine 8:14 NLV).
Hoe lei God ons? Objektief deur sy Woord, en subjektief deur sy Gees. Soos jy sy Woord lees, hoor jy sy stem en wanneer jy rus (sien Psalm 23:2), druk Hy dit wat Hy wil hê jy moet doen, op jou hart. As jy op die verkeerde pad is, draai na God toe en Hy sal jou weer na die regte pad toe lei. Jy vra: ‘Sal God werklik met iemand soos ek praat?’ Ja: ‘…Hy roep sy eie skape op hulle name en lei hulle uit. Wanneer hy al sy eie skape na buite gelei het, loop hy voor hulle uit, en die skape hou aan om hom te volg omdat hulle sy stem ken’ (Johannes 10:3-4 NVL). Laat God jou vandag lei!
Sielskos: Eks 30-32; Luk 14:25-35; Ps 106:24-48; Spr 7:3-5
Psalm 23:3 NKJV
Life is full of choices, decisions, and options. It’s also full of people with strong opinions who will try to tell you which way they think you ought to go. If we could turn back the hands of time, nearly all of us would alter some of our past choices because they have caused us to find ourselves in the path of “wrongness” rather than “righteousness.”
Sheep will gravitate toward whatever appeals to their instincts, such as a berry bush, even though it will take them away from the flock and the shepherd’s protective care. They think they know the right path when they really have no clue.
Question: Have you been following your appetites and instincts rather than your shepherd? You say, “But God has given me a brain to use.” Sure, and you need to develop it. But it’s limited, and it will only take you so far. The Holy Spirit desires to take you beyond those limits. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14 KJV).
How does God lead us? Objectively through His Word, and subjectively through His Spirit. As you read His Word, you hear His voice, and as you “lie down” (Psalm 23:2 KJV), He impresses upon your heart what He wants you to do. If you have gotten onto the wrong path, turn to God and He will guide you back onto the right path. You say, “Would God actually speak to someone like me?” Yes, “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out… he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 NKJV). Today, let God lead you!
Soul food: Exo 30-32; Luke 14:25-35; Ps 106:24-48; Prov 7:3-5
2023-03-08
Ps 106">Psalm 23:6 DB
Die Psalmdigter het nie woorde soos ‘miskien,’ of ‘dalk,’ of ‘moontlik,’ of ‘hopelik’ gebruik nie. Nee, hy sê: ‘sal,’ wat ‘n term van sekerheid is. ‘Sal’ beteken vir seker; sonder twyfel!
Daar is baie dinge in die lewe waarvan jy nie seker kan wees nie. Jy gaan vir ‘n doktersondersoek en ontdek dat jy ‘n kwaadaardige gewas het. Jy werk vir dieselfde maatskappy vir jare met die geloof dat jou werk veilig is, totdat hulle jou as gevolg van finansiële redes afdank. Jy bid vir jou kinders, leef voorbeeldig en leer hulle wat reg en verkeerd is, maar bevind jou dan een nag by die polisiestasie nadat hulle as gevolg van dronkbestuur of dwelms gearresteer is.
As verloste kind van God, is hier twee dinge waarvan jy seker kan wees: God se goedheid en genade. Wat is jou konsep van God? Dis ‘n baie belangrike vraag, dink dus daaroor na voor jy antwoord. Jou konsep van God sal jou vertroue in Hom bepaal. Dawid was ver van perfek af. Sommige van sy mannewales sou die voorblad van die skinderblaaie gehaal het. Hy het egter nooit aan God se goedheid en genade teenoor hom getwyfel nie: ‘…Omdat God aan my kant is, weet ek dit beslis’ (Psalm 56:10 NLV). Jesus het gesê: ‘…Ek sal jou nie los nie. Ek sal jou nie in die steek laat nie’ (Hebreërs 13:5 NLV).
Sy goedheid waarborg dat daar aan elke behoefte voldoen kan word en sy genade waarborg dat elke sonde vergewe kan word. Net soos skaaphonde verlore skape terug na die trop toe dryf, so sal God se goedheid en genade jou elke keer terug na sy liefdevolle arms toe dryf.
Sielskos: Eks 28-29; Luk 14:15-24; Ps 106:1-23; Spr 7:1-2
Psalm 23:6 NKJV
The psalmist doesn’t lead off with words like “maybe,” or “perhaps,” or “possibly,” or “hopefully.” No, he says, “Surely,” which is a term of certainty. “Surely” means absolutely; without a doubt!
There are a lot of things in life you can’t be sure of. You go for a physical checkup and discover you have a malignant growth. You work in the same company for years believing your job is secure, but they downsize and all you’re left with is a pink slip. You pray for your children, live an exemplary life before them, and teach them what’s right, then you find yourself down at the police station trying to get them out of lockup because they were arrested for drunk driving or doing drugs.
As a redeemed child of God, here are two things you can be sure of: God’s “goodness and mercy.” What’s your concept of God? That’s an all-important question, so think about it before you answer. Your concept of God will determine your confidence in Him. David was far from perfect. Indeed, some of his antics would have made the front pages of the tabloids. But he never doubted God’s goodness and mercy toward him: “This I know, that God is for me” (Psalm 56:9 NAS).
Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV). His goodness guarantees every need you have can be met, and His mercy guarantees that every sin you commit can be forgiven. Just as sheepdogs drive strays back into the fold, so God’s goodness and
mercy will drive you back into His loving arms every time.
Soul food: Exo 28-29; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 106:1-23; Prov 7:1-2
2023-03-07
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
The Bible says: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety… Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God” (vv. 10-11 NLT).
You may not be fortunate enough to work at a job that utilizes your gifts, but you should at least be moving in that direction. Paul worked as a tentmaker to finance his calling as a preacher. So if you know you’re a creative person with aptitude for design and visual arts, and you’re currently exasperated by your accounting job, it may be time to reconsider your career goals. If you love to solve problems when your computer crashes, but you’re currently working as a pastry chef, it’s time to step back and reassess.
You may not be able to make a living at your foremost passion right away, so you’re working in an unrelated field. That’s okay for now. But your sights must stay set on following God’s calling. Moses spent two-thirds of his life getting ready for his real assignment leading the children of Israel into the promised land.
God never wastes experience. Often the wisdom you glean from a job you don’t want equips you to succeed in the one you do; the one God has chosen for you. So keep growing and keep believing God. Then, when He opens the door, you will be ready to walk through it.
Soul food: Exo 25-27; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 136:13-26; Prov 6:32-35
