The LORD locks you in His ark of safety against the storms of life

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The LORD locks you in His ark of safety against the storms of life

Gen. 7 v 13 – 16 - HCSB

On that same day Noah along with his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah’s wife, and his three sons’ wives entered the ark with him. They entered it with all the wildlife according to their kinds, all livestock according to their kinds, the creatures that crawl on the earth according to their kinds, all birds, every fowl, and everything with wings according to their kinds. Two of all flesh that has the breath of life in it entered the ark with Noah. Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered just as God had commanded him. Then the LORD shut him in. (own emphasis)

 Noah faced the worst storm in the history of mankind. There was only one possible outcome for survival. He had to build an ark exactly according to the instructions that the LORD had given him. And he did it, as we hear in Gen. 6 v 22. Noah did exactly as God commanded him.

 Is it because Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him, which ensured that he, his family and all the animals survived safely? No. The reason why Noah and all who survived with him on the ark was because the LORD locked the ark behind Noah.

 We have a responsibility that we may not neglect, but it is the LORD who locks us safely in his ark of safety against the storms of life.

 You have to live responsibly, but always remember, it is not the fact that you have locked your house that keeps you safe at night. It is not your good driving skills that keep you safe on the road nor your healthy eating habits that keep you healthy. It is only the LORD who locks us in his ark of safety against the storms and dangers of life that keeps us safe.

 Hold on to the comfort that it is your Father in heaven who keeps you safe. But also remember that you may only call Him Father if you believe the gospel that Jesus Christ died for your sins so that you can be reconciled to God.

 Look back on this year and realize how many times God has carried you and helped you through so many things you could not do on your own. Remember, it is the LORD who locks you in His ark of safety against the storms of life.

 

Amen

Waar sal my hulp vandaan kom?

 This devotional is also available in English

Waar sal my hulp vandaan kom?

Psalm 121 v 1 & 2

’n Pelgrimslied. Ek kyk op na die berge: waarvandaan sal daar vir my hulp kom? My hulp kom van die HERE wat hemel en aarde gemaak het.

Waar gaan soek jy hulp wanneer die lewe te moeilik word?

 Die pelgrims wat op pad was na Jerusalem was bang vir die gevare langs die pad. Hierdie Psalm is 'n gebed wat uiting gee aan die vaste hoop en vertroue dat God hulle dag en nag sal beskerm.

 Hulle kyk hemelwaarts na God vir hulp in hul benoudheid en dan verklaar hulle met vaste sekerheid: “My hulp kom van die HERE wat hemel en aarde gemaak het.”

 Die pelgrims vestig hulle hoop op die HERE. Die Naam “HERE” is 'n persoonlike naam van God wat beteken “EK IS” soos ons in Eks. 3 v 14 hoor: Toe sê God vir Moses: “EK IS WAT EK IS. Jy moet vir die Israeliete sê: ‘EK IS’ het my na julle toe gestuur.”

 Die Naam van God “EK IS” (YHWH in Hebreeus, uitgespreek as Yaweh) beteken:

1. Hy is die ewige God wat van altyd af bestaan.
Hy is die begin en die einde, die Alfa en die Omega.

2. Hy is 'n God van verhoudings.
Hierdie Naam van God word net in die Bybel gebruik wanneer God se persoonlike verhouding met sy mense ter sprake is

3. Hy is altyd met ons.
God is persoonlik betrokke in mense se lewens. Hy is nie 'n veraf God nie.

4. Hy is die onveranderlike God wat altyd dieselfde is.

5. Hy is volkome heilig en verhewe bo die mensdom.

6. Hy is getrou aan sy ewige verbond.
Toe God sy verbond (Ek sal vir jou 'n God wees en jy en jou nageslag moet my volk wees) met Abraham gesluit het, het Hy homself as Yahweh voorgestel en daarmee het Hy beloof dat Hy altyd getrou sal wees aan sy beloftes.

7. Hy is vol misterie wat nooit te volle geken kan word nie.
Ons kan God nooit ten volle ken nie, maar wat ons nodig het om van Hom te weet, openbaar Hy deur sy Gees in sy Woord vir ons. Alhoewel ons Hom nooit ten volle kan ken nie, kan ons groei in ons verhouding met Hom.

In die Nuwe Testament hoor ons nog verder wat “EK IS” beteken. Jesus stel Homself voor as “EK IS”.

Die sewe “EK IS” uitsprake van Jesus:

1.  Ek is die brood van die lewe. Joh. 6 v 35
Net soos wat brood jou liggaam voed, is Jesus die Brood wat jou geestelik voed.

2.  Ek is die lig vir die wêreld. Joh. 8 v 12
Jesus is die Lig wat die duisternis van die sonde verdryf. Hy bring hoop en ewige lewe vir elkeen wat in Hom glo.

3.  Ek is die deur vir die skape. Joh. 10 v 7
Jesus is die enigste weg na God toe.

4.  Ek is die goeie herder. Joh. 10 v 11
Jesus is die herder van sy skape, sy eiendom. Hy sorg vir sy skape en maak seker dat hulle alles kry wat hulle nodig het. Hy dra die belange van sy kudde op die hart en Hy dra die volle verantwoordelikheid van hulle. Hy lê sy lewe vir sy skape af. Christus het sy lewe opgeoffer sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo kan lewe.

5.  Ek is die opstanding en die lewe. Joh. 11 v 25
Jesus het die mag van die dood met sy opstanding gebreek. Met ander woorde Hy is magtig om ook aan elke sondaar lewe uit die dood te gee.

6.  Ek is die weg, die waarheid en die lewe. Joh. 14 v 6
Jesus is die weg na die ware ewige lewe. Werklik lewe kan net by Jesus gevind word.

7.  Ek is die ware wingerdstok. Joh. 15 v 1
Ons is die lote wat voortspruit uit hierdie wynstok en word gesnoei sodat ons vrug kan dra. Deur die swaarkry in die lewe waar jy deur die skerp lem van die snoeiskêr gesnoei word laat Hy dit wat seer is ook ten goede meewerk in jou lewe.

Waar gaan soek jy hulp wanneer die lewe te moeilik word? Gaan soek jou hulp by “EK IS” wat jou oneindig liefhet.

Hy het sy Seun, (die waaragtige God wat ter wille van jou mens geword het) gestuur, sodat jy kan lewe omdat Hy jou so lief het

Amen

Where will my help come from?

Hierdie oordenking is ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar

 

Where will my help come from?

 

Matt. 16 v 13 - 16 - HCSB

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Where do you go for help when life gets too difficult?

 The pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem were afraid of the dangers along the way. This Psalm is a prayer that expresses the firm hope and confidence that God will protect them day and night.

 They look to heaven for help in their distress and then declare with firm certainty: "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."

 The pilgrims place their hope in the LORD. The Name "LORD" is a personal name of God which means "I AM" as we hear in Ex. 3 v 14: God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

 The Name of God "I AM" (YHWH in Hebrew, pronounced as Yaweh) means:

1.  He is the eternal God who has always existed.
He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega.

2.  He is a God of relationships.
This Name of God is used only in the Bible when it comes to God's personal relationship with his people.

3.  He is always with us.
God is personally involved in people's lives. He is not a distant God.

4.  He is the unchanging God who is always the same.

5.  He is completely holy and exalted above mankind.

6.  He is faithful to his eternal covenant.
When God made His covenant (I will be a God to you and you and your descendants must be my people) with Abraham, He introduced Himself as Yahweh and with that He promised that He would always be faithful to His promises.

7.  He is full of mystery that can never be known too fully.
We can never fully know God, but what we need to know about Him, He reveals to us through His Spirit in His Word. Although we can never fully know Him, we can grow in our relationship with Him.

 In the New Testament we hear even further what "I AM" means. Jesus introduces Himself as "I AM".

The seven "I AM" statements of Jesus:

1.  I am the bread of life. Joh. 6 v 35
Just as bread nourishes your body, Jesus is the Bread that nourishes you spiritually.

2.  I am the light of the world. Joh. 8 v 12
Jesus is the Light that dispels the darkness of sin. He brings hope and eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

3.  I am the door to the sheep. Joh. 10 v 7
Jesus is the only way to God.

4.  I am the good shepherd. Joh. 10 v 11
Jesus is the shepherd of his sheep, his property. He takes care of his sheep and makes sure they get everything they need. He bears the interests of His flock at heart and He bears the full responsibility for them. He lays down his life for his sheep. Christ sacrificed his life so that everyone who believes in him can live.

5.  I am the resurrection and the life. Joh. 11 v 25
Jesus broke the power of death with his resurrection. In other words, He is also able to give life to every sinner from the death of their sin.

6.  I am the way, the truth, and the life. Joh. 14 v 6
Jesus is the way to true eternal life. Real life can only be found in Jesus.

7.  I am the true vine. Joh. 15 v 1
We are the shoots that sprout from this vine and are pruned so that we can bear fruit. Through the hardships in life where you are pruned by the sharp blade of the pruning shears, He also lets what hurts work together for good in your life.

 Where do you go for help when life gets too difficult? Seek your help from "I AM" who loves you infinitely.

 He sent His Son (the true God who became a man for your sake) so that you can live because He loves you so much 

Amen

Maar jy, wie, sê jy, is Jesus?

 This devotion is also available in English

Maar jy, wie, sê jy, is Jesus?

Mat. 16 v 13 - 16

Toe Jesus in die streke van Sesarea-Filippi kom, het Hy vir sy dissipels gevra: “Wie, sê die mense, is die Seun van die mens?” Hulle antwoord: “Party sê Johannes die Doper, party Elia, party Jeremia of een van die profete.” “Maar julle,” het Hy gevra, “wie, sê julle, is Ek?” Simon Petrus het geantwoord: “U is die Christus, die Seun van die lewende God.”

 Kersfees is amper hier en dit beteken verskillende dinge vir verskillende mense. Christene herdenk met Kersfees die geboorte van Jesus Christus. Daarom is dit goed dat ons net weer so 'n bietjie besin wie Jesus is.

 Jesus het vir sy dissipels (sy volgelinge) gevra wie die mense sê wie Hy is. Uit hul antwoord blyk dit dat die mense Hom beskou as een van die groot profete wat opgestaan het. Dan vra Jesus baie persoonlik: “Maar julle, wie, sê julle, is Ek?”

 Wat sou jou antwoord wees as Jesus vir jou hierdie vraag sou vra? Glo jy dat Jesus die Seun van God is wat Hy gestuur het om jou van jou sondes te verlos? Is jy 'n volgeling van Jesus? Is jy bereid om jouself ten volle aan Hom oor te gee? Is jy bereid om jou kruis op te neem en Hom te volg, selfs al sou dit beteken dat jy daarvoor moet sterf?

 Is jy bereid om die prys te betaal om 'n volgeling van Jesus Christus te wees? Is jy bereid om in alles wat jy doen aan Hom gehoorsaam te wees?

 Om 'n volgeling van Jesus te wees beteken dat God die middelpunt van jou lewe moet wees. Alles wat jy doen of dink moet daarop gefokus wees om aan God gehoorsaam te wees. Jou hele lewe moet op jou verhouding met God gefokus wees. Dit is wat jou lewe betekenis gee, want om op God gefokus te wees, beteken nie dat jy jou lewensvreugde moet opgee en gaan uit mis op dit wat lekker is in die lewe nie. 

 Inteendeel, om op God gefokus te wees beteken juis dat jy begin deel in die ware vreugde van die lewe in die plek van die valse vreugde wat die wêreld bied.

Maar jy, wie, sê jy, is Jesus?

Amen

But you, who do you say that Jesus is?

Hierdie oordenking is ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar

But you, who do you say that Jesus is?

 Matt. 16 v 13 - 16 - HCSB

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”

 Christmas is almost here and it means different things to different people. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. That's why it's good that we're reflect a little on who Jesus is.

 Jesus asked His disciples (His followers) who the people say He is. From their answer it appears that the people regarded Him as one of the great prophets who rose. Then Jesus asks very personally: "But you, who do you say that Jesus is?"

 What would be your answer if Jesus asked you this question? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God whom He sent to save you from your sins? Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you willing to surrender yourself completely to Him? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Him, even if it means dying for it?

 Are you willing to pay the price to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to obey Him in everything you do?

 Being a follower of Jesus means that God must be the center of your life. Everything you do or think should be focused on obeying God. Your whole life should be focused on your relationship with God. This is what gives your life meaning, because being focused on God does not mean that you have to give up your joy of life and miss out on enjoying what is good in life.

 On the contrary, being focused on God means that you begin to share in the true joy of life instead of the false joy that the world offers.

But you, who do you say that Jesus is?

Amen

Hemelse Troos

 This meditation is also available in English

Hemelse Troos

Jes. 40 v 1 & 2 – 2020 Vertaling

“Troos, troos my volk!” sê julle God. Praat mooi met Jerusalem! Roep haar toe dat haar gedwonge arbeid voltooi is, dat haar skuld afbetaal is! Ja, sy het uit die hand van die Here 'n dubbele straf ontvang vir al haar sondes.”

 Elke mens het troos nodig in die lewe. Troos, met die stille tevredenheid en rus wat dit bring, is die belangrikste ding in die lewe en sterwe van elke mens.

 Die vraag: “Wat is jou enigste troos in lewe en in sterwe?” is 'n baie persoonlike vraag wat lastig kan wees. Dit is moeilik om na binne te kyk. Dit is maklik om ander mense se probleme raak te sien, maar nie so maklik om na myself te kyk nie.

 Ware troos kan net by God gevind word, want die grootste rede vir jou ongeluk is die hartseer van sonde wat tussen jou en God staan.

 Die inhoud van die troos wat net van God af kom behels in die eerste plek dat jy van die tirannie van jou eie self verlos moet word. Dit wil sê dat ek nie aan myself nie, maar aan my getroue Verlosser Jesus Christus behoort.

 Dit beteken dat ek die eiendom van God met liggaam en siel, in lewe en sterwe is, want Jesus het my met sy bloed gekoop. Hy het die volle losprys met sy lewe betaal om my van die mag van die bose te verlos. 

 Die troos wat ek hierin vind is die wete dat die Vader my onder sy heel besondere neem. Hy bewaar my op so 'n manier dat alles wat met my gebeur tot my eie beswil dien.

 Hierdie troos behels verder dat Heilige Gees op 'n besondere wyse met my besig is. Hy verseker my deur die woord en sakramente van die ewige lewe en Hy verander my sodat ek vir God wil lewe. Hy vervang die selfsug, vyandskap, haat, naywer en woede in my lewe met liefde, vreugde, vrede, geduld, vriendelikheid, goedhartigheid, getrouheid, nederigheid en selfbeheersing.

Hoe vind ek hierdie hemelse Troos?

Die weg na hierdie troos is die weg van kennis. Dit begin nie by wat ek moet doen nie, maar by wat ek moet weet. En selfs in dit is ek nie op my eie nie. Die Heilige Gees bring my tot dit wat ek moet weet.

Daar is drie dinge wat ek moet weet:

    i.      Hoe groot my sonde en ellende is.

               Net soos die verlore seun moet ek tot inkeer kom.

   ii. Hoe ek van al my sonde en ellende verlos word.

              Ek moet die evangelie glo dat Jesus Christus in my plek die straf
    van die dood gedra het daar op Golgota aan die kruis en dat Hy het
    die dood oorwin het sodat ek kan lewe.

 iii. Hoe ek God vir so 'n verlossing dankbaar moet wees.

              Ek moet my deur die Gees laat lei in 'n lewe wat deur liefde vir my
    naaste en God gekenmerk word.

 Wat is jou enigste troos in lewe en in sterwe?

 My enigste troos in lewe en in sterwe is dat ek aan Jesus Christus behoort.

 Vind jou troos by ons Here. Gee ag op Jesus se uitnodiging
(Mat. 11 v 28 – 30):

“Kom na My toe, almal wat uitgeput en oorlaai is, en Ek sal julle rus gee. Neem my juk op julle en leer van My, want Ek is sagmoedig en nederig van hart, en julle sal rus kry vir julle gemoed. My juk is sag en my las is lig.”

Amen

Heavenly comfort

 Hierdie oordenking is ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar

Heavenly comfort

Isaiah 40 v 1 & 2 - HCSB

“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of forced labor is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”

 Every human being needs comfort in life. Comfort, with the quiet satisfaction and rest it brings, is the most important thing in the life and death of every human being.

 The question: "What is your only comfort in life and in death?" is a very personal question that can be uncomfortable. It's hard to look inside yourself. It's easy to spot other people's problems, but not so easy to look at yourself.

 True comfort can only be found in God, because the greatest reason for your unhappiness is the sadness that the sin that stands between you and God, causes.

 The content of the comfort that comes only from God involves in the first place that you must be delivered from the tyranny of your own self. That is, I do not belong to myself, but to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

 It means that I am the property of God with body and soul, in life and death, because Jesus bought me with his blood. He paid the full ransom with his life to deliver me from the power of evil.

 The comfort I find in this is the knowledge that the Father takes me under his very special care. He preserves me in such a way that everything that happens to me serves my own good.

 This comfort further involves the Holy Spirit dealing with me in a special way. He assures me through the word and sacraments of eternal life and He changes me so that I want to live for God. He replaces the selfishness, enmity, hatred, envy, and anger in my life with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.

How do I find this heavenly Comfort?

 The way to this comfort is the way of knowledge. It does not start with what I have to do, but with what I need to know. And even in that, I'm not on my own. The Holy Spirit brings me to what I need to know.

There are three things I need to know:

    i.    How great is my sin and misery.

     Like the prodigal son, I must repent.

ii.  How I am delivered from all my sin and misery.

      I must believe the gospel that Jesus Christ bore the death penalty in my place
      there on Calvary on the cross and that He overcame death so that I might live.

 iii.   How I should be thankful to God for such a salvation.

    I must let myself be led by the Spirit in a life characterized by love 
    for my neighbor and God.

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

My only comfort in life and in death is that I belong to Jesus Christ.

 Find your comfort with our Lord. Heed Jesus' invitation 
(Matt. 11 v. 28 - 30):

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Amen