Bible Society of South Africa
Benescke Janse van Rensburg

He can … – Day 16

He wants the best for us

Itekisi yeBhayibhile

IINDUMISO 139

16Kaloku wena wandibona ndingekenziwa;

imihla owandimisela yona yabhalwa encwadini yakho,

ndingekayiqali nokuyiqala mna.

17Hayi bo, zintsonkothile kambe

iingcamango zakho, Thixo wam!

Yaz'ba zingakanani na ubuninzi!

18Xa bendinokuzibala, zingaphaya kwentlabathi;

noba bendingazigqibayo, andikabi phi.

Ndoba ngalala ndivuke, usengulowa.

IINDUMISO 139:16-18XHO96Vula kumfundi weBhayibhile

An unnamed Filipino fisherman hid a huge pearl, of 34 kg, under his bed for ten years. He believed it was his mascot. It was only when his log cabin burned down and he showed it to tourism officials, that he discovered its worth R1,3 billion.

Because the fisherman did not realise the value of the pearl, he was content to struggle to make a living for a decade long, while he stayed in his small, dilapidated hut. Only when he thought he had lost everything in the fire, did he realise what he really had.

It’s the same in our lives. When we lose everything, we really discover God’s power. Yet, it is easy to become so preoccupied with unnecessary things or accept our precarious existence as the fisherman had, that we forget that God says in His Word that He has plans to prosper us, and that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

David understood it. In Psalm 139:16-18 he writes: “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand …”

Fear, however, causes us to become passive – like this fisherman. We think it is safer to keep the gift, God has given us, hidden under our beds. We survive instead of enjoying life to the full. Due to the fear of hurt, we do not dare risk a chance at happiness. Or perhaps due to fear of rejection or that our business plan will fail, we remain in a profession or position we have lost our passion for, long ago.

What is the dream you have in your heart hidden like the fisherman’s pearl? Let us take that step of faith and talk to God about making it a reality. Ask for wisdom, discernment, creativity and favour. We might be, like the fisherman, stunned at the value of what is laying in our hearts. God bless.

Assignment for the day: Ask God if there are anything He has placed in you that you have not yet developed. Write it down. Also ask Him for guidance and wisdom when moving in the direction of achieving it.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.9
SIFUMANE KU-