Page 5 - Good News May2008 paper

tales are true, and more than true,
Dr R.J. Oavis
Dr R.J. Oavis
but they are not new, and their
FRIEND of mine passed conclusions are utterly wrong.
this bit of wisdom on to me “But God is able...” is a statement
Arecently. His observation, of fact that contradicts such con-
with which I heartily agree, is clusions.
confirmed by Solomon, who As far back in history as the three
said, “He that observeth the wind Hebrew young men, who cried,
shall not sow; and he that “Our God is able” when facing
regardeth the clouds shall not the fiery furnace, God’s people
reap” (Eccl. 11:4). have proven that God Himself is
The truth of this statement is the inscrutable factor in human
vividly illustrated by the story of history. He is the reason why His
a young man who jumped to his servants need never give up.
death from the window of a large It is of course true that Christians
downtown hotel. The young man today, face not only most of the
had incurred considerable debt, problems of the past, but also
including his hotel bill, and he plenty of new ones: Revolutions,
had no money. In his concern, he riots, rumours, tumult, turbu-
sent a message to his brother for lence, tension, dangers in the air,
help. The money did not come dangers on the ground, disease,
and, driven to despair, he took disappointment, even death.
what seemed to him the only way Even so, they and all who trust
out. He quit! God, may know the peace of
The real tragedy was that at that heart which fills the breast when
very moment when he took his commitment to Christ is com-
suicidal leap, there was a letter plete and constant.
waiting for him at the lobby desk, Such people do not entertain
with more than enough money in thoughts of giving up, of defeat,
it to cover his bills - if only he had of being beaten. They know that
not given up! victory has been promised.
In God’s service, too, it is always Oh, the sweetness of His
too soon to quit. There are those strength and courage, the result
today who say, “The day of of abandonment to the Lord of
missions and of evangelism is heaven and earth, Controller of
past. It’s all over.” history, Captain of His people,
They emphasize their point by certain Victor!
describing the difficulties, the IN HIS SERVICE, IT IS ALWAYS
dangers, and the seeming TOO SOON TO QUIT!
defeats that we are facing. Their (Life Indeed )
“Dit is Hy (Christus) wat elke middag in 'n onbewoonde, berg-
belofte van God waar maak, en agtige deel van die VSA deur 'n
omdat ons aan Hom behoort, kan verskriklike storm in 'n grot
ons op elke belofte van God vasgekeer.
'amen' sê om God te eer” Toe die storm verby was, kon
(2 Korintiërs 1:20 DLB). hulle weer uitkruip, maar toe was
DIE KRISSISE van die lewe alles anders. Bome was stuk-
kan soos 'n storm oor 'n mens se kend geskeur en omgewaai en al
lewe trek en 'n streep van ver- die tekens wat hulle aangebring
woesting agterlaat. Dinge wat het om hulle pad aan te dui, was
vroeër vastigheid en beskerming weg.
gegee het, lê dan in stukke en 'n Dit was nou onmoontlik om
mens is net bewus van die hulle pad terug te kry. Maar toe
pynlike verlies van iets wat nie sê die een vir die ander: “Kom
weer herstel kan word nie.
ons wag tot dit donker word, dan
Dit kan die dood van 'n kan ons na die sterre kyk en ons
dierbare wees, die ramp van 'n rigting kry. Die sterre verander
egskeiding, die verlies van 'n mos nie.”
mens se werk, 'n ongeneeslike Die Skrif sê 'n gelowige se
siekte of ook die tragiese gevol- lewe “word veilig bewaar by
ge van 'n mens se eie sonde. Christus en by God” (Kolos-
So iets kan 'n mens losskeur van sense 3:3).
alles wat jou vantevore sekuriteit Onthou, Christus het jou lief;
en betekenis in die lewe gegee Hy is in beheer en Hy is ook naby
het. So 'n storm oor 'n mens se jou. Sy beloftes verander nooit.
lewe kan so verwoestend wees Al lyk dit vir jou of jou lewe deur-
dat jy begin wonder of jy ooit mekaar is, moenie vaskyk teen
weer op jou voete sal kom. verhoudings wat verbreek kan
Maar tog het kinders van die word of sekuriteit wat kan
Here deur die eeue heen sulke verdwyn nie.
storms deurgemaak sonder om Kyk liewer na die sterre van
bitter of verhard te word. Hoe het God se beloftes wat nooit hulle
hulle dit reggekry? Deur hulle waarde kan verloor nie, en begin
lewe weer in te stel op die weer voor saam met Hom. So
beloftes in die Woord van die lank die sterre skyn, kan die lewe
Here. nooit hopeloos wees nie!
Twee prospekteerders is een (Dennis J. de Haan)