2026-07-07
Psalm 56:9 NKJV
In the early days of America, a stranger asked how he might identify George Washington among those present at Congress. He was told, “You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels down.” Washington was known as a man who prayed. When the fate of the new nation hung in the balance at Valley Forge, he frequently found rest and relief in prayer.
One day, a farmer approaching Washington’s military camp heard an earnest voice. When he drew nearer, he saw Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears. The farmer returned home and told his wife: “George Washington will succeed, and the Americans will secure their independence.” His wife said, “Isaac, what makes you think so?” He replied, “I heard him pray out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah, rest assured, He will!”
When we have less, we’re more aware of our need and pray more. But as we acquire and achieve more, we become more self-sufficient and pray less. That’s a mistake. The more God entrusts to you, the more you need His strength, His wisdom, His guidance, and His grace. David sat on a throne and ruled Israel. Was he proud or arrogant? No. “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me… In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid” (vv. 9, 11 NKJV).
So this is the word for you today: More responsibility calls for more prayer.
Soul food: 2 Sam 7:18-11:27; Matt 25:1-13; Ps 122; Pro 17:18-21
2026-07-06
Jakobus 4:2 NLV
Van die begin tot aan die einde van die Bybel vind ons klinkklare bewyse dat God gebede verhoor. Dinge wat ons dink onmoontlik is, doen God wanneer mense daarvoor bid! Wanneer ons bid, vereenselwig ons onsself met God se doeleindes en maak van die krag van die Almagtige gebruik. Omdat ons bid, werk God deur ons op maniere wat Hy andersins nie sou doen nie. God het sekere dinge van gebed afhanklik gemaak, dinge wat nooit sal plaasvind tensy ons bid nie. Kan God doen wat Hy wil, sonder dat ons daaroor bid? Natuurlik. God het egter bepaal dat Hy die gebede van sy mense sal gebruik om sy doeleindes te bereik.
Wanneer ons nie bid nie, beperk ons dit wat God in ons lewens sal doen. Dit mag dalk vreemd klink, maar as dit nie waar was nie, hoekom sou Jakobus dan geskryf het: ‘En eintlik is die rede hoekom julle nie het wat julle wil hê nie, die feit dat julle God nie daarvoor vra nie’? Waarom sou Paulus sy vriende vra: “…bid vir ons sodat die woord van die Here vinnig mag versprei en net soos by julle met eerbied ontvang word. Bid ook dat ons bewaar sal word van slegte en bose mense….’ (2 Tessalonisense 3:1-2 NLV), as hy nie geglo het dat gebede die krag het om sy omstandighede te verander nie?
Omdat beide Jakobus en Paulus al die seën wat vir hulle beskikbaar was wou hê, het hulle nie net self gebid nie, maar ook ander gelowiges gewerf om vir hulle te bid. Hulle wou nooit dit wat God in en deur hulle wil doen beperk deur nie te bid nie. Indien jy al die seën wat God beskikbaar stel wil hê, moet jy ook bid.
Sielskos: 2 Sam 3:22-7:17; Matt 24:36-51; Ps 110; Spr 17:15-17
James 4:2 NIV
From the beginning of the Bible to its conclusion, we see absolute evidence that God answers prayer. Things that we think are impossible, God does when people pray! When we pray, we align ourselves with the purposes of God and tap into the power of the Almighty. Because we pray, God works through us in ways He wouldn’t otherwise. God has made certain things dependent upon prayer, things that will never be done unless we pray. Could God do whatever He chooses without our prayer? Of course. But God has determined that He will use the prayers of His people to accomplish His purposes.
When we do not pray, we limit what God will do in our lives. Some may not like the sound of this, but if it were not true, what could James mean when he writes: “You do not have because you do not ask?” Why would Paul ask some friends to, “Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured… that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NIV), if he did not believe their prayers had the power to change his circumstances?
Both James and Paul believed that God might well withhold His hand of blessing from them if they neglected to pray. Since they wanted all the blessing available to them, they not only prayed themselves, they recruited others to pray for them. They never wanted to limit what God might be pleased to do in and through them by failing to pray. And if you want all the blessing God has available, you too must pray.
Soul food: 2 Sam 3:22-7:17; Matt 24:36-51; Ps 110; Pro 17:15-17
2026-07-05
Psalm 127:2 NIV
In western culture, we think of a day beginning when the sun comes up. But the creation account says: “The evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5 NKJV). Each day began with evening. Author Eugene Peterson noted that in this way, the biblical writers help us to remember: “Everything doesn’t depend on me. I go to sleep; God goes to work. It’s His day. The world keeps spinning, tides ebb and flow, lives begin and end even though I am not there to superintend any of it. God is present when I sleep.” So, the Psalmist wrote: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2 NIV).
It’s estimated that each year in America, 24,000 people die in car accidents caused by sleep deprivation and fatigue. Lack of sleep causes people to argue with spouses and friends, do subpar work, be less loving and more irritable with children and friends, and generally feel miserable.
So, here’s how to “have a good day.” Before you go to sleep, take a few minutes to review your day with God. Seek to resolve any household conflicts before bedtime. Paul wrote: “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT). Confess any sin that comes to mind and ask for forgiveness. Where you were blessed today, take time to savour it and say thanks. In other words, give God the last word in your day.
Soul food: Matt 5:8; Ps 51:10; Tit 1:15
Psalm 127:2 NLV
In die Westerse kultuur dink ons dat ‘n dag begin wanneer die son opkom. Die Bybel sê egter: ‘…Dit het aand geword en dit het môre geword. Dit was die eerste dag’ (Genesis 1:5 AFR53). Elke dag begin met die aand. Die skrywer, Eugene Peterson, het opgemerk dat die Bybel op hierdie manier ons help om te onthou: ‘Alles hang nie van my af nie. Ek gaan slaap; God gaan werk. Dis sy dag. Die wêreld hou aan draai, die getye eb en vloei en lewens begin en eindig, selfs al is ek nie daar om enige iets daarvan te bewaak nie. God is teenwoordig wanneer ek slaap.’ Dus het die Psalmdigter geskryf: ‘Tevergeefs werk jy so hard, van vroegoggend tot laatnag, soos jy swoeg om te bestaan, maar vir hulle wat Hy liefhet, gee Hy dit in hulle slaap’ (Psalm 127:2 NLV).
Daar word beraam dat daar in Amerika 24 000 mense jaarliks in motorongelukke, wat deur slaapgebrek en moegheid veroorsaak word, sterf. Gebrek aan slaap veroorsaak dat mense met hul eggenote en vriende stry, minder goeie werk lewer, minder liefdevol en meer geïrriteerd met kinders en geliefdes is en oor die algemeen ellendig voel.
Hoe kan jy dus ‘n ‘goeie dag’ hê? Voordat jy gaan slaap, neem ‘n paar minute om jou dag met God te hersien. Probeer om enige huishoudelike konflikte voor slaaptyd op te los. Paulus het geskryf: ‘…Moenie tot die aand toe kwaad bly, en die duiwel so ‘n houvas gee nie’ (Efesiërs 4:26-27 NLV). Bely enige sonde wat by jou opkom en vra vergifnis daarvoor. Neem die tyd om aan die oomblikke wat jy seën ervaar het, te dink en daarvoor dankie te sê. Gee God met ander woorde die laaste sê in jou dag.
Sielskos: Matt 5:8; Ps 51:10; Tit 1:15
