“What should I do with my life?” Many of us ask this question when things do not make as much sense as during “better” times, or when we are exhausted, or worried. The Bible’s answer is that we have to begin with a bigger, more relevant question. If I am a Christian, if I am committed to follow Jesus and love him, my question should be: ”How do I fit into God’s plans?” And “What are God’s plans for me ?”
God is not standing idly by as the world we live in plummets from one debacle and failure into another. God certainly has not deserted our sad and corrupt world, leaving us to see whether we will be able to fix the problems we have created for ourselves and for each other.
God has already revealed his plan to bring an end to all evil. He made the preparations for a new world possible when Jesus once and for all died and rose to save sinners. He continues his preparation by using you and me, his church, to invite the whole world to accept his invitation to join him in overcoming evil by following him as Lord of our lives.
A picture of this future is given to us in the book of Revelation:
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:3-4)
This perfect peace is what the world is destined for. It is a world where those who share God’s peace will no longer be self-centred, greedy, corrupt, malicious and insecure. Instead God will be with his people and he will be their God. He will rule over them perfectly and lovingly through his Son Jesus. It begins for us when we submit our lives to the perfect rule of King Jesus.
As Christians, we “show case” the new world, as God transforms us to follow Jesus, to love Jesus and be more like Jesus. You and I are called to “no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus who died for us” (2Cor 5:15). He calls us to live for his kingdom and to live for his future.
The better question to ask is: Am I part of God’s plans? How will what I do fit into his plans? And how can I best serve him with the means, gifts, opportunities and responsibilities he has given me today?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Our battles belong to the Lord...
Israel and the Philistines were at war - again! They arranged their forces on opposite sides of a valley. This made it risky for either army to begin an attack. By descending one slope, crossing the valley floor and its stream, and climbing up the other side, the attackers would make themselves vulnerable. The result was a stalemate; neither army dared to leave its position.
It was the giant, Goliath, who provided a solution. He boastfully challenged anyone in Israel to a one-on-one confrontation. This encounter would decide the battle and the war.
The most important detail that the Bible gives us about Goliath is not his size, his armour or his challenge to Gods people. The most important detail is that Goliath defied "the armies of the living God" (1 Sam 17:26). He treated God with contempt. He mocked the almighty God of Israel.
But the LORD had chosen David to be his servant. David represents the power of God and the glory of God. David is God's chosen instrument to overcome an enemy who defied him.
David accepted Goliath's challenge, because the LORD was with him. Victory and defeat was in the hands of the LORD. Not in the hands of David or his ridiculous “weapon” – a sling and a stone. It was God who defeated Goliath - not David or his sling. The battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sam 17: 47), and the Lord will give his enemy into our hands, however insufficient our defence may be.
To save us from the last and final enemy, God has a chosen instrument – it is Jesus Christ, his beloved Son. God defeats the enemy without sword or spear. Of all things, God uses a cross and a grave, a crucifixion and a resurrection to defend us once and for all.
He chose his Son, dying on the cross and arising from the grave, to defeat the powers of darkness.
As always, the battle still belongs to the Lord.
As always it is not our weapons that make the difference – but God.
Because the battle belongs to the LORD, and so does the victory.
It was the giant, Goliath, who provided a solution. He boastfully challenged anyone in Israel to a one-on-one confrontation. This encounter would decide the battle and the war.
The most important detail that the Bible gives us about Goliath is not his size, his armour or his challenge to Gods people. The most important detail is that Goliath defied "the armies of the living God" (1 Sam 17:26). He treated God with contempt. He mocked the almighty God of Israel.
But the LORD had chosen David to be his servant. David represents the power of God and the glory of God. David is God's chosen instrument to overcome an enemy who defied him.
David accepted Goliath's challenge, because the LORD was with him. Victory and defeat was in the hands of the LORD. Not in the hands of David or his ridiculous “weapon” – a sling and a stone. It was God who defeated Goliath - not David or his sling. The battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sam 17: 47), and the Lord will give his enemy into our hands, however insufficient our defence may be.
To save us from the last and final enemy, God has a chosen instrument – it is Jesus Christ, his beloved Son. God defeats the enemy without sword or spear. Of all things, God uses a cross and a grave, a crucifixion and a resurrection to defend us once and for all.
He chose his Son, dying on the cross and arising from the grave, to defeat the powers of darkness.
As always, the battle still belongs to the Lord.
As always it is not our weapons that make the difference – but God.
Because the battle belongs to the LORD, and so does the victory.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Our God gives wisdom as much as he gives warning
God warns us way ahead of time of the dangers in our spiritual life as well as of the challenges for his church. It always was the case. In the days of Amos the prophet, God said through his servant:
Amos 3: 6 and 7: When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
But we have to listen when we hear and see that God reveals his plan, we must take the action God’s wisdom shows us and be prepared. God will provide in our every need, even when dangers prowl.
Always give your best and your all to God. When the day of the Lord comes, we will be prepared to heed his warning and triumph - in his Name and by his grace and mercy. Because our God gives wisdom as much as he gives warning.
May you be blessed when you serve God wholeheartedly, responding to his revelation and conquer through his omnipotent power! Be prepared to receive the Lord’s solution on the day of danger and attack, by giving him your best and giving him your all.
Amos 3: 6 and 7: When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
But we have to listen when we hear and see that God reveals his plan, we must take the action God’s wisdom shows us and be prepared. God will provide in our every need, even when dangers prowl.
Always give your best and your all to God. When the day of the Lord comes, we will be prepared to heed his warning and triumph - in his Name and by his grace and mercy. Because our God gives wisdom as much as he gives warning.
May you be blessed when you serve God wholeheartedly, responding to his revelation and conquer through his omnipotent power! Be prepared to receive the Lord’s solution on the day of danger and attack, by giving him your best and giving him your all.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
We see God's glory in the wonders of creation.
When you visit the coast, you see the most glorious sunsets. After the sun slides behind the sea, you go on your way, with this text on your lips: "O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Ps 8: 1 and 9)
God's glory shines above the heavens and below the sea. I am visiting South Africa’s second most popular international tourist destination, the Garden Route of the Southern Cape, also known as the Knysna region. (Kruger Park is the number one SA destination}
The fine arrangement and beauty of mountains, lagunes, wetlands, sea, rivers and the unique ecology shown in the abundance of vegetation and forests only found here, show the skill of the heavenly Artist. The immense grandeur of each one of these gardens designed by the eternal Gardener himself, demonstrates the incomprehensible greatness of God. It enthuses gratitude. It inspires thanksgiving.
God's name is not simply crowned in our hearts; it is majestic in all the earth. Many small and seemingly unimportant things reveal the greatness of God. Each little flower that opens is a witness of the Creator’s glory. The immense variety of birds tells of God’s divine creativity and each one sings its own song to proclaim the glorious majesty of God. Simply being in these quiet, natural gardens, reminds of the glory of the Lord.
David starts and ends Psalm 8 the same way, with words of praise to God:
(Ps 8:1 and 9) O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God's name stands for God's person, God's being, and God's attributes; they are all majestic. In the Hebrew language, the word for Majestic tells us that God is the only one, unique, incomparable, omnipotent God.
We read this message on all the pages of the Scriptures, all the time:
(Ex 15:11) "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
(1 Sam 2:2) "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God."
(Jer 10:6) "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power."
God is majestic. He is majestic in power, in splendour, in glory, in works, in love and in holiness. He is incomparable. The Lord God almighty, the awesome Creator, is indeed the one and only God and need to be praised forever.
For King David, the majesty of God is especially evident in his vast and wondrous creation. David looks at the sun, moon, and stars, David looks at the birds, fish, and animals and David looks at man. He sees all that God has made and he says,
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God's glory shines above the heavens and below the sea. I am visiting South Africa’s second most popular international tourist destination, the Garden Route of the Southern Cape, also known as the Knysna region. (Kruger Park is the number one SA destination}
The fine arrangement and beauty of mountains, lagunes, wetlands, sea, rivers and the unique ecology shown in the abundance of vegetation and forests only found here, show the skill of the heavenly Artist. The immense grandeur of each one of these gardens designed by the eternal Gardener himself, demonstrates the incomprehensible greatness of God. It enthuses gratitude. It inspires thanksgiving.
God's name is not simply crowned in our hearts; it is majestic in all the earth. Many small and seemingly unimportant things reveal the greatness of God. Each little flower that opens is a witness of the Creator’s glory. The immense variety of birds tells of God’s divine creativity and each one sings its own song to proclaim the glorious majesty of God. Simply being in these quiet, natural gardens, reminds of the glory of the Lord.
David starts and ends Psalm 8 the same way, with words of praise to God:
(Ps 8:1 and 9) O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God's name stands for God's person, God's being, and God's attributes; they are all majestic. In the Hebrew language, the word for Majestic tells us that God is the only one, unique, incomparable, omnipotent God.
We read this message on all the pages of the Scriptures, all the time:
(Ex 15:11) "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
(1 Sam 2:2) "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God."
(Jer 10:6) "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power."
God is majestic. He is majestic in power, in splendour, in glory, in works, in love and in holiness. He is incomparable. The Lord God almighty, the awesome Creator, is indeed the one and only God and need to be praised forever.
For King David, the majesty of God is especially evident in his vast and wondrous creation. David looks at the sun, moon, and stars, David looks at the birds, fish, and animals and David looks at man. He sees all that God has made and he says,
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Our relationship with Jesus results in the fruit of love for each other
If we do not know Jesus, we can do nothing good!
As we look around our congregation, we see people whose lives reveal the glory of Jesus! Their witness strengthens our faith. We are strengthened by them and they by us, and together we reveal Jesus' glory, and as we reveal his grandeur, we help others to believe in him.
In the "true vine" context, Jesus says, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch (of the vine) cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
The fruit that Jesus speaks about is revealing his love through our love for each other as his children, thus sharing his joy with a sad, lost world, because he is the answer, the Saviour, the true source of life and hope, of meaning and fruit. In John 15: 10 – 11 Jesus says: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our relationship with Jesus results in the fruit of love for each other and complete joy in his service.
If we really want to honour Jesus, this is how we do it: by loving one another. When we do, people will look at us and see Jesus living in us and, understanding his message, believe, take heart and give him glory! Only then our discipleship will be complete.
As we look around our congregation, we see people whose lives reveal the glory of Jesus! Their witness strengthens our faith. We are strengthened by them and they by us, and together we reveal Jesus' glory, and as we reveal his grandeur, we help others to believe in him.
In the "true vine" context, Jesus says, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch (of the vine) cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
The fruit that Jesus speaks about is revealing his love through our love for each other as his children, thus sharing his joy with a sad, lost world, because he is the answer, the Saviour, the true source of life and hope, of meaning and fruit. In John 15: 10 – 11 Jesus says: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our relationship with Jesus results in the fruit of love for each other and complete joy in his service.
If we really want to honour Jesus, this is how we do it: by loving one another. When we do, people will look at us and see Jesus living in us and, understanding his message, believe, take heart and give him glory! Only then our discipleship will be complete.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wait upon the Lord
Christians are infamous for their intolerance with God’s timing. They want to have perfect answers to instant prayers, immediately. They often blame God for having to wait. They time and again loose interest and focus when there is no wind driving their faith ships or when stormy weather interferes with their plans and desires.
Jesus, on the other hand, spent a lot of time waiting on his Father. He often went into retreat to find answers, strength, and patience. In order to be able to do this, Jesus made certain that he had time to pray. There are four important words about this in Matthew 14:22: "Jesus dismissed the crowd."
This was not just any crowd. This was about 10,000 people who had heard Jesus teach, had seen him heal the sick and had watched him produce enough food miraculously to feed them all. This was a crowd ready to make him a king. But Jesus dismissed them! Why? We read in verse 23: "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."
Jesus said no to a buzzing, excited crowd, an excellent opportunity, in order to say yes to an even better one. It was a deliberate choice to honour his priorities. Jesus' first responsibility and main concern was not to satisfy his scores of excited fans, but to wait faithfully on his heavenly Father until “his hour has come”, as he often said.
On another occasion Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek." This word "meek." used in the Bible is the same word used to describe a wild stallion that has been trained for the saddle. It means power under control, strength with direction, ready to get going, yet being disciplined, focussed – and waiting. This saying probably says something like: “Blessed are the focused, those who know their priorities and honour them and wait upon God for the wind to turn and the timing to be perfect.”
Jesus most of the time served the crowd diligently. But he did dismiss them when he had to do something of greater importance – like having fellowship time with his heavenly Father, while waiting on his divine timing.
Will we, in spite of waiting long, when God’s time comes, still be focussed, calm and determined enough to accomplish his will?
Are we patiently disciplined when it comes to waiting upon the Lord?
Father, Thy will be done… Amen.
Jesus, on the other hand, spent a lot of time waiting on his Father. He often went into retreat to find answers, strength, and patience. In order to be able to do this, Jesus made certain that he had time to pray. There are four important words about this in Matthew 14:22: "Jesus dismissed the crowd."
This was not just any crowd. This was about 10,000 people who had heard Jesus teach, had seen him heal the sick and had watched him produce enough food miraculously to feed them all. This was a crowd ready to make him a king. But Jesus dismissed them! Why? We read in verse 23: "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."
Jesus said no to a buzzing, excited crowd, an excellent opportunity, in order to say yes to an even better one. It was a deliberate choice to honour his priorities. Jesus' first responsibility and main concern was not to satisfy his scores of excited fans, but to wait faithfully on his heavenly Father until “his hour has come”, as he often said.
On another occasion Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek." This word "meek." used in the Bible is the same word used to describe a wild stallion that has been trained for the saddle. It means power under control, strength with direction, ready to get going, yet being disciplined, focussed – and waiting. This saying probably says something like: “Blessed are the focused, those who know their priorities and honour them and wait upon God for the wind to turn and the timing to be perfect.”
Jesus most of the time served the crowd diligently. But he did dismiss them when he had to do something of greater importance – like having fellowship time with his heavenly Father, while waiting on his divine timing.
Will we, in spite of waiting long, when God’s time comes, still be focussed, calm and determined enough to accomplish his will?
Are we patiently disciplined when it comes to waiting upon the Lord?
Father, Thy will be done… Amen.
Monday, August 15, 2011
To those who have, more will be given!
Jesus used financial investment as an example of making the most of what God invested in our lives. In the parable about the 10 servants, each received one mina, an amount of money, to invest for their master. Some earned 10 and 5 minas more. One man kept it laid away in a cloth. The master’s investment did not earn any interest in his case.
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.
The servant who did nothing with the investment he was a steward of, represents people who have received the gospel message and God’s blessings, yet it has not changed them even one little bit! Therefore they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains small and vulnerable and insignificant.
But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, who truly work with the Great Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, increasing Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give, to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will hear the Master say: “Well done good and faithful servant.” By God’s grace, they have been changed into the godly entrepreneurs Christ needs for his work to be done!
Jesus Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power, his Word and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.
The servant who did nothing with the investment he was a steward of, represents people who have received the gospel message and God’s blessings, yet it has not changed them even one little bit! Therefore they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains small and vulnerable and insignificant.
But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, who truly work with the Great Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, increasing Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give, to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will hear the Master say: “Well done good and faithful servant.” By God’s grace, they have been changed into the godly entrepreneurs Christ needs for his work to be done!
Jesus Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power, his Word and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Seeking God Part 2
Psalm 27: 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27. And we all are in pursuit of happiness in the Lord.
But what should be the focus of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: fellowship with God. Above all else, David knew that he could find strength and fullness of joy in God’s presence.
From the context of Psalm 27 we understand that David had been facing difficult challenges. There were enemies who were against him, made war against him and fought him constantly. You might say that David was under a lot of stress. Yet in the midst of this, he knew where to turn. He knew that in God’s presence, he would find the spiritual resilience to face every possible test.
It is only in God’s presence where we find refreshing water for our spiritual and emotional thirst and nourishment for our souls. We cannot fulfil this desire in any other way, even if we try! We need to seek God, because it is only fellowship with him that we will have our need for rest and spiritual fulfilment met. As we wait upon the Lord, enjoying fellowship with him, he promises us that he will renew our strength.
There is nothing as satisfying as true and earnest fellowship with Jesus Christ. As we seek him in prayer, through his Word, and through our living by faith every day, we receive an authentic inner strength through the assurance that he loves us and that he is there for us. Through fellowship we come to an understanding that his promises are real, and that he will never leave or forsake us. We come to know him as our Friend.
Never stall your seeking of Christ, that is your fellowship with him. If you lack power, peace and joy: pause to consider your fellowship with Jesus. Are you passionate about being with him? Do you desire to know him better every day? The focus of our search for God is fellowship with Jesus Christ.
And as fellowship with God in Christ is the focus of our search, so fellowship with God in Christ also will be the fruit of our search.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27. And we all are in pursuit of happiness in the Lord.
But what should be the focus of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: fellowship with God. Above all else, David knew that he could find strength and fullness of joy in God’s presence.
From the context of Psalm 27 we understand that David had been facing difficult challenges. There were enemies who were against him, made war against him and fought him constantly. You might say that David was under a lot of stress. Yet in the midst of this, he knew where to turn. He knew that in God’s presence, he would find the spiritual resilience to face every possible test.
It is only in God’s presence where we find refreshing water for our spiritual and emotional thirst and nourishment for our souls. We cannot fulfil this desire in any other way, even if we try! We need to seek God, because it is only fellowship with him that we will have our need for rest and spiritual fulfilment met. As we wait upon the Lord, enjoying fellowship with him, he promises us that he will renew our strength.
There is nothing as satisfying as true and earnest fellowship with Jesus Christ. As we seek him in prayer, through his Word, and through our living by faith every day, we receive an authentic inner strength through the assurance that he loves us and that he is there for us. Through fellowship we come to an understanding that his promises are real, and that he will never leave or forsake us. We come to know him as our Friend.
Never stall your seeking of Christ, that is your fellowship with him. If you lack power, peace and joy: pause to consider your fellowship with Jesus. Are you passionate about being with him? Do you desire to know him better every day? The focus of our search for God is fellowship with Jesus Christ.
And as fellowship with God in Christ is the focus of our search, so fellowship with God in Christ also will be the fruit of our search.
Monday, August 8, 2011
God delights in godly sorrow.
2 Corinthians 7: 10: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
What is "godly sorrow"? Firstly, it is sorrow that glorifies God. (2 Cor 7:9). It is sorrow that God delights in. It is sorrow that is good for the soul.
The opposite of "godly sorrow" is not the absence of sorrow, but what Paul calls "worldly sorrow." The powers of darkness in this world are crafty and sly and try to imitate the real thing. Worldly sorrow often imitates godly sorrow, but when it is scrutinized, you realize it is not the same.
Worldly sorrow is when you feel sorry for something you did, because it backfires on you and leads to humiliation or punishment. It is the reflex of a proud and arrogant heart and the reaction of a fearful, uncertain ego. Fear regrets actions that jeopardize comfort, safety and popularity. The focus of worldly sorrow is oneself! Feeling sorry for something we have done is therefore not in itself a sign of virtue.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the reflex of a soul that has wounded God's heart, a sorrow that grieves that God's Name has come into disrepute. The focus of "godly sorrow", is God.
Worldly sorrow is the result of an attitude that despairs when it loses the praise of people. Worldly sorrow often leads to deep and dark depression, to distrust, anger, dissension, conflict and even war. This is why Paul says that worldly sorrow brings death.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the result of God's Word touching our lives.
Godly sorrow is the guilt you feel when the Word of God shows you that you are a sinner and you have dishonoured the Name of God. Godly sorrow is the sorrow of a God-directed heart, not a world-directed heart. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and salvation.
It leaves no regret. It brings life and rejoices in Truth.
What is "godly sorrow"? Firstly, it is sorrow that glorifies God. (2 Cor 7:9). It is sorrow that God delights in. It is sorrow that is good for the soul.
The opposite of "godly sorrow" is not the absence of sorrow, but what Paul calls "worldly sorrow." The powers of darkness in this world are crafty and sly and try to imitate the real thing. Worldly sorrow often imitates godly sorrow, but when it is scrutinized, you realize it is not the same.
Worldly sorrow is when you feel sorry for something you did, because it backfires on you and leads to humiliation or punishment. It is the reflex of a proud and arrogant heart and the reaction of a fearful, uncertain ego. Fear regrets actions that jeopardize comfort, safety and popularity. The focus of worldly sorrow is oneself! Feeling sorry for something we have done is therefore not in itself a sign of virtue.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the reflex of a soul that has wounded God's heart, a sorrow that grieves that God's Name has come into disrepute. The focus of "godly sorrow", is God.
Worldly sorrow is the result of an attitude that despairs when it loses the praise of people. Worldly sorrow often leads to deep and dark depression, to distrust, anger, dissension, conflict and even war. This is why Paul says that worldly sorrow brings death.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the result of God's Word touching our lives.
Godly sorrow is the guilt you feel when the Word of God shows you that you are a sinner and you have dishonoured the Name of God. Godly sorrow is the sorrow of a God-directed heart, not a world-directed heart. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and salvation.
It leaves no regret. It brings life and rejoices in Truth.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Seeking God Part 1
Psalm 27: 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27.
We all have desires. We are all seekers. We have goals. We are in pursuit of happiness.
At work we have strategies, milestones, targets, assessments.
In the church we are told that we have to be purpose driven. And we are all hopeful that those dreams may one day come true.
But are the things which we seek, worth looking for? Some of them may not be according to God’s wisdom. Some of the things we seek with so much energy, may even hurt us, were we to successfully obtain them.
So we must carefully evaluate what we seek and why we have such a strong desire to own something or accomplish our goal. Part of the evaluation is the important question: “Why do I seek these things?’
All of us are involved in the living of life. All of us “want a life!” But in seeking what we believe will give us a life to enjoy, everything does not always work out the way we wished or desired. The road of seeking a life is not always smooth – it often has potholes, risks and dangers. As we grow wiser and learn a few lessons in life, we find that some things which we thought were essential, no longer seem significant anymore. We experienced that not all that glitters, is gold and that something that looked exciting and promising at first, became a source of sadness, disappointment and hurt later on.
Everywhere people are hurting and are seeking for solutions. They are seeking “a life”. Yet, what the world promise will make us at ease and will guarantee fulfilment, are often only substitutes of the real thing. And we need to find the real thing! We need to find what satisfies. We need to pursue true life and real happiness.
David was a man weighed down by his life’s challenges. Yes, he enjoyed a lot of success. Yes, he became the mightiest king in the world! But still his life was not without problems. David had personal problems, he had marriage problems, he had children problems, and he had to deal with issues of state.
More than once there were enemies seeking an opportunity to kill him – and one of these enemies was his beloved son. David struggled with serious concerns.
But David knew what was important to seek. And in Psalm 27 the poet in King David reveals what we need to seek when challenged with issues and riddles. David found a desire that would wisely direct his search and prioritise his priorities: “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
What should be the focal point of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: communion with God. Above all else, David desired to be in the presence of God. He knew that he could find strength in his presence. He knew that "in God’s presence there is fullness of joy."
(Next week – a more practical Part 2).
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27.
We all have desires. We are all seekers. We have goals. We are in pursuit of happiness.
At work we have strategies, milestones, targets, assessments.
In the church we are told that we have to be purpose driven. And we are all hopeful that those dreams may one day come true.
But are the things which we seek, worth looking for? Some of them may not be according to God’s wisdom. Some of the things we seek with so much energy, may even hurt us, were we to successfully obtain them.
So we must carefully evaluate what we seek and why we have such a strong desire to own something or accomplish our goal. Part of the evaluation is the important question: “Why do I seek these things?’
All of us are involved in the living of life. All of us “want a life!” But in seeking what we believe will give us a life to enjoy, everything does not always work out the way we wished or desired. The road of seeking a life is not always smooth – it often has potholes, risks and dangers. As we grow wiser and learn a few lessons in life, we find that some things which we thought were essential, no longer seem significant anymore. We experienced that not all that glitters, is gold and that something that looked exciting and promising at first, became a source of sadness, disappointment and hurt later on.
Everywhere people are hurting and are seeking for solutions. They are seeking “a life”. Yet, what the world promise will make us at ease and will guarantee fulfilment, are often only substitutes of the real thing. And we need to find the real thing! We need to find what satisfies. We need to pursue true life and real happiness.
David was a man weighed down by his life’s challenges. Yes, he enjoyed a lot of success. Yes, he became the mightiest king in the world! But still his life was not without problems. David had personal problems, he had marriage problems, he had children problems, and he had to deal with issues of state.
More than once there were enemies seeking an opportunity to kill him – and one of these enemies was his beloved son. David struggled with serious concerns.
But David knew what was important to seek. And in Psalm 27 the poet in King David reveals what we need to seek when challenged with issues and riddles. David found a desire that would wisely direct his search and prioritise his priorities: “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
What should be the focal point of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: communion with God. Above all else, David desired to be in the presence of God. He knew that he could find strength in his presence. He knew that "in God’s presence there is fullness of joy."
(Next week – a more practical Part 2).
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