The world is in turmoil.
Darkness has descended over our country with power outages up to 12+ hours a day. People are losing their jobs and livelihoods due to corruption, greed and theft. “I never thought this would happen again” (after Covid.)
In Europe, the Ukrainian war and Putin’s nuclear threats are sowing uncertainty and fear and many friends say, “I never thought this would happen again” (after World War II.)
As I experience the worry and fear around me, I am reminded of Isaiah 29:13 – “Nico, you afflicted people come near to Me with your mouth and honor Me with your lips, but your heart is far from Me…”
Why can’t I understand that God wants me to seek Him not just with my lips, but with my whole heart “You will seek Me and find Me Nico, when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13). He wants me not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2) and that is only possible when I seek Him with all my heart. It’s not easy seeking Him when you sit in darkness, often spiritual darkness, listening to all the negative comments as my thoughts start drawing me down.
And then, as I lift my eyes to the mountains – wondering where my help will come from, I start to realize that my help is from the Lord, who watches over me and who will keep me from all harm. (Psalm 121) And as I look to Him, rather than to the darkness around me, I become greatly encouraged and guided by His word in every aspect of my life.
- My relationship with Him – “In quietness and trust is your strength. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:15 & 21) Why are my ears so deaf?
- Our country – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18 + 19) In the darkness Lord? Yes, don’t you see it? It has already started.
- My family – “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” “…do not turn away from your own flesh and blood.” (I Timothy 5:8 and Isaiah 58:7)
- My life – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and, be content with what you have, Nico, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…”
I then slowly realize that I must be very careful how I listen (Luke 8:18) and that I need to seek Him with my whole heart, and only then, will my mind be renewed. Then I can start walking uprightly again, because God has promised that I must not be afraid, I will not be put to shame (Isaiah 54:4.)
So come my friend, let us walk uprightly in the light of His Word as we seek him with all our heart and step out of our spiritual darkness into the Light… and start making a difference.
A word in season.
Thank you for being a faithfull and vunerable vessel of our Lord. Indeed we live in unprecedented times, with darkness lurking in every direction.
Sharing this guidance and words of life brings ointment to my own injured heart. So today… I will look up and wait for His move in the world and my life.
Dankie Nico dat jy ons herrinner dat Hy saam met ons is in die boot op die stormagtige donker see
Thank you Nico for reading you’re words in the middle of the night – after the 4th day of my Operation in Zurich – lifting my eyes and my heart towards Jesus where we can get the answer to all our problems in life
Praise the lord!!!
Amen
I pray for a full recovery Ine!
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18 + 19) In the darkness Lord? Yes, don’t you see it? It has already started.
How I love this question; in the darkness Lord? Nico, your question makes me realize how even common sense will elude us in our state of unbelief. It is as if, in such state, we want God to shine a torchlight in broad daylight. No! His light will shine brighter to expel the darkest of darkness.
Dankie Nico, hierdie boodskap is so bemoedigend in die onseker en donker tye wat vir ons voorlê.
Truth at the right time.
Thank you!
Very inspirational Nico, despite all the challenges we are or have come up against, God promised us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. He is doing a new thing.
Thank you so much Nico.
Nico so inspiring and true. Thank you for reminding us in such a wonderful way and that is through His Word!
Thank you, Nico, powerful! Appreciate and honor the grace and gift of Christ in you
Thank you Nico for sharing the Word of God with us! It is with much excitement that I always open and read your messages. We know that God is faithful, He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus said to us be anxious of nothing!
Baie dankie vir hierdie kosbare Woord…..sooo bemoedigend vir hierdie tyd en baie baie spesiaal
Such a powerful blog post. With so many negative thoughts about South Africa, so many family and friends immigrating. Should we stay or should we go? What about our children? We are so confused and afraid without God. Thank you, Nico this helped me.
AMEN!
BAIE tydige aanmoediging, Nico!
Dankie
Baie dankie Nico!