Cut off, empty, lonely?

DO WE HAVE VALUE? DOES GOD VALUE ME AND YOU?


Eliphaz the Temanite argued, Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? (Job 22:1,3)
Sometimes we feel cut off from God, and He seems very far away:
Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! [says Eliphaz the Temanite] (Job 22:12)



WHY?


God makes us suffer:
Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. (Isa 24:1)



WHY?



God allows bad things to happen to us:


And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. (Job 1:8 & 12a)



WHY?



Sometimes our experiences in life let us cry out like Naomi did in her grief:


I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? (Rth 1:21)



We often cannot help to question WHY a God of love "forsakes us" in our time of need.



BUT DOED GOD really FORSAKE US?



God assures us in His Word in Heb 13:5 b: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.



So WHY does God allow us to feel lonely, empty, and forsaken?



We find the answer directly after His assureance in Heb 13:6:
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.



God wants us to reach out to Him in our time of need:
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. (Pro 25:2)



Even when we are surrounded by loved ones we sometimes FEEL betrayed, cheated, and very much alone. Yet, like Jacob, we have to realize that we are NEVER alone:



Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee last night. (Gen 31:42)



In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains why we should rejoice when we feel lonely, empty, and forsaken by people:



Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (Luk 6:20-3)



God tests our faith when He causes us to FEEL empty and forsaken.



WHY?



For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Rom 3:23-6)



Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom 5:1-5)



After God allowed Satan to sorely test Job's faith in God, Job says to God:
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
...the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.



We have to TRUST IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING and be THANKFUL:
Of Abraham, Paulus says: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (Rom 4:20-2)



Jesus gives us a better understanding of WHY:
And as he [Jesus] entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (Luk 17:12-9)



That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1Th 2:12 )



Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. (Isa 59:1-4)



Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isa 7:14)



According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense. So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. (Isa 59:18-20)



And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luk 2:9-14)



And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1Ti 3:16)



Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory... ( Col 1:26-7)



Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him [Jesus], and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phi 2:9-11)



He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. (Luk 1:52-3)



[After suffering at the hands of the Sadducees,] Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (Act 5:29,41)



For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (2Co 4:6-9)



When Lazarus became ill, Jesus explains WHY bad things sometimes happen to good people:
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (Joh 11:4)



For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co 4:15-8)



Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Rev 14:)



I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isa 42:8)



Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Co 10:31)
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. (Jer 13:16 )



We do have value. God values us:
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Luk 12:23-4) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1Jo 4:9-10)



God will never forsake us:
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Mat 6:30) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Rev 7:17) For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psa 37:28)



We feel empty and cut off from God when we sin:
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (Psa 37:9) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Mat 21:43) For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psa 37:28)



Seek God:
Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. (Lam 3:54-7)So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. (Pro 24:14)



We need to trust God for our every need:
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luk 12:2526, 29-32) The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence. (2Sa 22:3)



We must have faith in God, increasingly so:
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Eph 6:1) Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (Psa 37:34) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2Co 5:7-9) Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. (2Co 8:7) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2Co 13:5)



We will be tested to learn to endure and trust God:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-3) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Rev 3:19) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Act 26:18)



God created all things and all beings to Glorify Him:
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. (Psa 19:1) And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. (Deu 5:24)Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (Isa 62:3)



We have to repent and return to God:
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Act 3:19) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. (1Pe 1:23)



God will punish the unrepentant:
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:31) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Mat 21:43) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psa 19:14)



Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jud 1:24-5)

Be ready to DO every good work! Why?

Good works cannot save you, but they are the product of your believing, humble, and thankful Christian heart!

Tit 3:1-15

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Rev 22:10-14 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Rev 22:16-17 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Rev 22:20-1 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Why do we suffer and die?

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul...Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? Job 3:11,20

Read the history of man's fall from grace and the consequences: Gen 3:1-24

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Jer 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Mar 16:16 - He that believeth - That is, believeth the gospel. “He who credits it to be true, and acts as if it were true.” This is the whole of faith. Man is a sinner. He should act on the belief of this truth and repent. There is a God. Man should believe it, and fear and love him, and seek his favor. The Lord Jesus died to save him. To have faith in him is to believe that this is true, and to act accordingly; that is, to trust him, to rely on him, to love him, to feel that we have no merit, and to cast our all upon him. There is a heaven and a hell. To believe this is to credit the account and act as if it were true - to seek the one and avoid the other. We are to die. To believe this is to act as if this were so; to be in readiness for it, and to expect it daily and hourly. In one word, faith is feeling and acting as if there were a God, a Saviour, a heaven, a hell; as if we were sinners and must die; as if we deserved eternal death and were in danger of it; and, in view of all, casting our eternal interests on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. To do this is to be a Christian: not to do it is to be an infidel. (Barnes, eSword)

Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Rev 3:19-22 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

CONCLUSION:

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Rom 5:15 But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Rom 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.

Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Rom 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

A VALEDICTION FORBIDDING MOURNING.

A VALEDICTION FORBIDDING MOURNING.
by John Donne

AS virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."

So let us melt, and make no noise, 5
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move ;
'Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.

Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears ;
Men reckon what it did, and meant ; 10
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers' love
—Whose soul is sense—cannot admit
Of absence, 'cause it doth remove 15
The thing which elemented it.

But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20

Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to aery thinness beat.

If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.

And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35
And makes me end where I begun.

Source:Donne, John. Poems of John Donne. vol I. E. K. Chambers, ed.London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1896. 51-52.
http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/mourning.php Retrieved: 07/11/2008

Interested in discussions about doctrine? See link:

Interested in discussions about doctrine? See this link:

http://savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com/

Link to some insights well worth reading!

http://at-adriaan.blogspot.com/

DIT GAAN OOR GOD SE EER

Hierdie gedeelte is In Oktober 2008 deur 'n vriend geskryf:

DIT GAAN OOR GOD SE EER Ek en jy kan nooit die Here forseer om sekere dinge vir ons te doen nie. Dan word God die dienskneg en ons word God. Baie het so 'n ingesteldheid en waar mense so 'n humanistiese "evangelie" beet het, gaan hulle een of ander tyd diep teleurgestel en ontnugter word. Wat gaan die dag gebeur wanneer hulle moet uitvind God sê "nee" op 'n sekere punt? Gaan hulle dan õõk vir die Here kwaad word en hul rug op die Here draai, soos wat ander gedoen het? In Dan. 3:17, 18 het ons die mooi voorbeeld van mense wat op God vertrou het maar nog steeds die uitkoms in Sy hande gelaat het. Dis die bekende verhaal van die drie vriende van Daniël wat die realiteit van hulle keuse, om nie te buig voor die afgodsbeeld van koning Nebukadneser, in die gesig staar. Dis of buig of vuuroond toe.

Maar luister nou hoe klink hulle antwoord aan die woedende, dreigende en magtige koning: Dan. 3:17 - "As onse God wat ons dien, in staat is om ons te verlos, dan sal Hy ons uit die brandende vuuroond en uit u hand, o koning, verlos;" Dan. 3:18 - "maar so nie, laat dit u dan bekend wees, o koning, dat ons u gode nie sal dien nie en die goue beeld wat u opgerig het, nie sal aanbid nie." Nie vir 'n oomblik twyfel hulle in God se krag om hulle uit die vuuroond te verlos nie. Hierdie drie gelowige Jode ken die verhale van hulle God se krag: · Hulle God wat hulle voorouers uit Egipte verlos het deur groot wonders en tekens; · Hulle God wat die waters van die Rooi See gekloof het; · Hulle God se voorsiening vir 40 jaar vir 'n volk van 6 miljoen d.m.v. manna, water en selfs vleis (Ps. 78:27) en dit in 'n woestyn! Maar of Hy dit vir hulle gaan doen; daaroor het hulle nie seggenskap nie. Dit laat hulle in hulle God se hande. Maar die faset waaroor hulle wel sekerheid en klarigheid het is: "dat ons u gode nie sal dien nie en die goue beeld wat u opgerig het, nie sal aanbid nie." Om vír God te besluit, is nie geloof nie, maar is arrogansie! As gelowige verlaat ek myself op God, vertrou ek op God tot die einde toe! Maar ek aanvaar ook dat Sy besluit en Sy uitkoms sal die regte een wees vir my lewe, want dit gaan oor Sý eer en Sý verheerliking!

NOGTANS ........ Job 17:9 - "Nogtans hou die regverdige vas aan sy weg, en die wat rein van hande is, neem toe in krag." Slegte tye sál kom en storms sál teen my en jou lewe opsteek - ja, selfs teen die vroomste en opregste. Die storms van die lewe is ons ongelukkig nie gespaar nie. Selfs die huis op die rots gebou, moet die storms verduur (Mat. 7:25). Hand. 14:22 sê: "Ons moet deur baie verdrukking in die koninkryk van God ingaan."Jes. 41:2 praat van die water en die riviere (meervoud) en die vuur wat ons in hierdie lewe selfs as kind van God moet trotseer. Maar hierdie dinge moet ons nie van koers af gooi nie.Ek hou van die woord, "nogtans" in Job 17:9. M.a.w. ongeag al die stryd, ongeag die deurmekaar dinge in ons land, die onregverdige optrede van tiranne en maghebbers; hou ons steeds vas aan die weg van die Here. Dien ons steeds die Here. Sal niks maar niks, ons van die Here wegdryf nie. Dit gaan per slot van sake om God se eer, ………… en om aan Hom vas te hou sluit Sy eer in. Tant Sannie de Ferrières se bekende boekie se titel, Al Bruis Die Jordaan, is ontleen aan die woorde in Job 40:18. Dit verwys na die seekoei wat net rustig sy gang gaan, ongeag die rivier wat besig is om te swel en op te styg; asof hy nie eens bewus is van die rivier wat in vloed is nie. · Laat kom wat wil ............... Laat die mense doen en sê wat hulle wil ... · Laat die wêreld so deurmekaar wees as wat dit kan ... "Hierdie evangelie sal ek vas aan hou!!!" K

yk wat sê die laaste gedeelte van Job 17:9 - "die wat rein van hande is, neem toe in krag." Kaleb het na die reuse verwys en gesê (Num.14:9): "Hulle is ons spys." Spys, is kos en kos maak jou sterk en laat jou groei. Dus, aan die einde van die dag, dien die stryd ons en help dit ons om geestelik te groei en sterker te word. Ja, ons neem net toe in krag, ongeag die stryd wat wag!

DIT GAAN ALLES OM GOD SE EER!

Onthou die broederliefde.

Heb 13:1 Die broederliefde moet bly.
Heb 13:2 Vergeet die gasvryheid nie, want daardeur het sommige, sonder om dit te weet, engele as gaste geherberg.
Heb 13:3 Dink aan die gevangenes asof julle medegevangenes is, en aan die wat mishandel word, as mense wat self ook ‘n liggaam het.
Heb 13:4 Laat die huwelik in alle opsigte eerbaar wees en die bed onbesmet; want God sal hoereerders en egbrekers oordeel.
Heb 13:5 Julle gedrag moet vry van geldgierigheid wees. Wees tevrede met wat julle het, want Hy het gesê: Ek sal jou nooit begewe en jou nooit verlaat nie.
Heb 13:6 Daarom kan ons met alle vrymoedigheid sê: Die Here is vir my ‘n Helper, en ek sal nie vrees nie; wat sal ‘n mens aan my doen?
Heb 13:7 Gedenk julle voorgangers wat die woord van God aan julle verkondig het; aanskou die uiteinde van hulle lewenswandel en volg hulle geloof na.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christus is gister en vandag dieselfde en tot in ewigheid.
Heb 13:9 Moenie rondgeslinger word deur allerhande en vreemde leringe nie; want dit is goed dat die hart versterk word deur genade, nie deur voedsel nie, waarvan die wat daarin gewandel het, geen voordeel gehad het nie.
Heb 13:10 Ons het ‘n altaar waarvan die wat die tabernakel bedien, geen reg het om te eet nie;
Heb 13:11 want die diere waarvan die bloed vir die sonde deur die hoëpriester in die heiligdom ingedra word—hulle liggame word buitekant die laer verbrand.
Heb 13:12 Daarom het Jesus ook, om die volk deur sy eie bloed te heilig, buitekant die poort gely.
Heb 13:13 Laat ons dan uitgaan na Hom toe buitekant die laer en sy smaad dra.
Heb 13:14 Want ons het hier geen blywende stad nie, maar ons soek die toekomstige.
Heb 13:15 Laat ons dan gedurig deur Hom aan God ‘n lofoffer bring, dit is die vrug van die lippe wat sy Naam bely.
Heb 13:16 Vergeet die weldadigheid en mededeelsaamheid nie, want God het ‘n welbehae aan sulke offers.
Heb 13:17 Wees gehoorsaam aan julle voorgangers en onderdanig, want hulle waak vir julle siele as diegene wat rekenskap moet gee, sodat hulle dit met blydskap kan doen en nie al sugtende nie; want dit is vir julle nie nuttig nie.
Heb 13:18 Bid vir ons, want ons is oortuig dat ons ‘n goeie gewete het, omdat ons in alles goed wil wandel.
Heb 13:19 Des te meer vermaan ek julle om dit te doen, sodat ek gouer aan julle teruggegee kan word.
Heb 13:20 Mag die God van die vrede, wat die groot Herder van die skape, naamlik onse Here Jesus Christus, deur die bloed van die ewige testament uit die dode teruggebring het,
Heb 13:21 julle volmaak in elke goeie werk, om sy wil te doen, deur in julle te werk wat welbehaaglik is voor Hom deur Jesus Christus aan wie die heerlikheid toekom tot in alle ewigheid! Amen.
Heb 13:22 En ek vermaan julle, broeders, verdra die woord van vermaning, want ek het ook maar kort aan julle geskrywe.
Heb 13:23 Julle moet weet dat die broeder Timótheüs vrygelaat is, saam met wie ek julle sal sien as hy spoedig kom.
Heb 13:24 Groet al julle voorgangers en al die heiliges. Die wat van Italië is, groet julle.
Heb 13:25 Die genade sy met julle almal! Amen.

*****************************************************************************

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2 Do not forget hospitality, for by this some unknowingly took in angels as guests.
Heb 13:3 Be mindful of the prisoners, as having been bound with them; of those ill-treated, as also being in the body yourselves.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but God will judge fornicators and adulterers.
Heb 13:5 Set your way of life without money-loving, being satisfied with present things; for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you," never! Deut. 31:6
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?" LXX-Psa. 117:6; MT-Psa. 118:6
Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders who spoke the Word of God to you, considering the issue of their conduct, imitate their faith:
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.
Heb 13:9 Do not be carried away by various and strange doctrine; for it is good that the heart be confirmed by grace, not by food, in which those walking in them were not profited.
Heb 13:10 We have an altar of which those serving the tabernacle have no authority to eat.
Heb 13:11 For of the animals whose "blood is brought" by the high priest "into the Holy of Holies" concerning sins, of these the bodies "are burned outside the camp." Lev. 16:2, 27
Heb 13:12 Indeed, because of this, in order that He might sanctify the people by His own blood, Jesus suffered outside the gate.
Heb 13:13 So let us go forth to Him outside the camp bearing His reproach.
Heb 13:14 For we do not have here a continuing city, but we seek the city coming.
Heb 13:15 Then through Him let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God always, that is, the fruit of the lips, confessing to His name.
Heb 13:16 But do not be forgetful of doing good and sharing, for God is well pleased with such sacrifices.
Heb 13:17 Yield to those taking the lead of you, and submit, for they watch for your souls, giving an account, that they may do this with joy, and not with grieving; for this would be unprofitable to you.
Heb 13:18 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, in all things wishing to behave well.
Heb 13:19 But I much more urge you to do this that I may sooner be restored to you.
Heb 13:20 Now the God of Peace, He leading up out of the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, in the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus,
Heb 13:21 perfect you in every good work, in order to do His will, doing in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Heb 13:22 And, brothers, I exhort you, endure the word of exhortation, for I indeed wrote to you by a few words.
Heb 13:23 You know the brother, Timothy, having been freed, with whom if I come sooner, I will see you.
Heb 13:24 Greet all those leading you, also all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
Heb 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

November 4th, 2008: God, Our Comforter

The world knows not The Comforter:
Ecc 4:1-3 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Children of Christ Jesus, take Comfort:
Joh 14:15-21 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Jesus promised:
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Our Comfort:
Joh 14:26-28 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Psa 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Our Comforter:

Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted...[says the LORD!]

Isa 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Psa 119:57-58 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Our Future Hope:
1Th 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Invitation to you...
Phi 2:1-2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
DC

O grave, where is thy victory?

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


Be ye steadfast - ἑδραῖοι hedraioi, from ἕδρα hedra. Seated, sedentary (Robinson); perhaps with an allusion to a statue (Bloomfield); or perhaps to wrestling, and to standing one’s ground (Wolf). Whatever may be the allusion, the sense is clear. Be firm, strong, confident in the faith, in view of the truth that you will be raised up. Be not shaken or agitated with the strifes, the temptations, and the cares of life. Be fixed in the faith, and let not the power of sin, or the sophistry of pretended philosophy, or the arts of the enemy of the soul seduce you from the faith of the gospel.
Unmovable - Firm, fixed, stable, unmoved. This is probably a stronger expression than the former, though meaning substantially the same thing - that we are to be firm and unshaken in our Christian hopes, and in our faith in the gospel.

Always abounding in the work of the Lord - Always engaged in doing the will of God; in promoting his glory, and advancing his kingdom. The phrase means not only to be engaged in this, but to be engaged diligently, laboriously; excelling in this. The "work of the Lord" here means that which the Lord requires; all the appropriate duties of Christians. Paul exhorts them to practice every Christian virtue, and to do all that they could do to further the gospel among people.

Forasmuch as ye know - Greek "Knowing." You know it by the arguments which have been urged for the truth of the gospel; by your deep conviction that that gospel is true.

Your labour is not in vain - It will be rewarded. It is not as if you were to die and never live again. There will be a resurrection, and you will be suitably recompensed then What you do for the honor of God will not only be attended with an approving conscience, and with happiness here, but will be met with the glorious and eternal rewards of heaven.

In the Lord - This probably means, "Your labor or work in the Lord, that is, in the cause of the Lord, will not be in vain." And the sentiment of the whole verse is, that the hope of the resurrection and of future glory should stimulate us to great and self-denying efforts in honor of Him who has revealed that doctrine, and who purposes graciously to reward us there. Other people are influenced and excited to great efforts by the hope of honor, pleasure, or wealth. Christians should be excited to toil and self-denial by the prospect of immortal glory; and by the assurance that their hopes are not in vain, and will not deceive them.

Thus, closes this chapter of inimitable beauty, and of unequalled power of argumentation. Such is the prospect which is before the Christian. He shall indeed die like other people. But his death is a sleep - a calm, gentle, undisturbed sleep, in the expectation of being again awaked to a brighter Day, 1Co_15:6. He has the assurance that his Saviour rose, and that his people shall therefore also rise, 1Co_15:12-20. He encounters peril, and privation, and persecution he may be ridiculed and despised; he may be subjected to danger, or doomed to fight with wild beasts, or to contend with people who resemble wild beasts; he may be doomed to the pains and terrors of a martyrdom at the stake, but he has the assurance that all these are of short continuance, and that before him there is a world of eternal glory; 1Co_15:29-32. He may be poor, unhonored, and apparently without an earthly friend or protector; but his Saviour and Redeemer reigns; 1Co_15:25. He may be opposed by wicked people, and his name slandered, and body tortured, and his peace marred, but his enemies shall all be subdued; 1Co_15:26-27. He will himself die, and sleep in his grave, but he shall live again; 1Co_15:22-23. He has painful proof that his body is corruptible, but it will be incorruptible; that it is now vile, but it will be glorious; that it is weak, frail, feeble, but it will yet be strong, and no more subject to disease or decay; 1Co_15:42-43. And he will be brought under the power of death. but death shall be robbed of its honors, and despoiled of its triumph. Its sting from the saint is taken away. and it is changed to a blessing. It is now not the dreaded monster, the king of terrors it is a friend that comes to remove him from a world of toil to a world of rest; from a life of sin to a life of glory. The grave is not to him the gloomy abode, the permanent resting-place of his body; it is a place of rest for a little time; grateful like the bed of down to a wearied frame, where he may lie down and repose after the fatigues of the day, and gently wait for the morning.

He has nothing to fear in death; nothing to fear in the dying pang, the gloom, the chill, the sweat, the paleness, the fixedness of death; nothing to fear in the chilliness, the darkness, the silence, the corruption of the grave. All this is in the way to immortality, and is closely and indissolubly connected with immortality; 1Co_15:55-57. And in view of all this, we should be patient, faithful, laborious, self-denying; we should engage with zeal in the work of the Lord; we should calmly wait till our change come; 1Co_15:58. No other system of religion has any such hopes as this; no other system does anything to dispel the gloom, or drive away the horrors of the grave. How foolish is the man who rejects the gospel - the only system which brings life and immortality to light! How foolish to reject the doctrine of the resurrection, and to lie down in the grave without peace, without hope, without any belief that there will be a world of glory; living without God, and dying like the brute.

And yet infidelity seeks and claims its chief triumphs in the attempt to convince poor dying man that he has no solid ground of hope; that the universe is "without a Father and without a God;" that the grave terminates the career of man forever; and that in the grave he sinks away to eternal annihilation. Strange that man should seek such degradation! Strange that all people, conscious that they must die, do not at once greet Christianity as their best friend, and hail the doctrine of the future state, and of the resurrection, as that which is adapted to meet the deeply-felt evils of this world; to fill the desponding mind with peace; and to sustain the soul in the temptations and trials of life, and in the gloom and agony of death! (Barnes Commentary e-Sword)

Laste / Burdens

Thought for today: Bear ye one another's burdens...
Gedagte vir vandag: Dra mekaar se laste...

Gal 6:2-10


Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.




Dra mekaar se laste en vervul so die wet van Christus. Want as iemand meen dat hy iets is, terwyl hy niks is nie, mislei hy homself. Maar laat elkeen sy eie werk op die proef stel; en dan sal hy grond vir roem hê alleen wat homself betref en nie wat die ander betref nie. Want elkeen sal sy eie pak dra. Maar laat hom wat in die Woord onderwys ontvang, meedeel van alle goeie dinge aan hom wat onderwys gee. Moenie dwaal nie; God laat Hom nie bespot nie; want net wat die mens saai, dit sal hy ook maai. Hy wat in sy vlees saai, sal uit die vlees verderf maai; maar hy wat in die Gees saai, sal uit die Gees die ewige lewe maai. En laat ons nie moeg word om goed te doen nie, want op die regte tyd sal ons maai as ons nie verslap nie. Laat ons dan, terwyl ons geleentheid het, aan almal goed doen, maar die meeste aan die huisgenote van die geloof.



Gal 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens - Sympathize with, and assist, each other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials. And so fulfil the law of Christ - The law of Christ (an uncommon expression) is the law of love: this our Lord peculiarly recommends; this he makes the distinguishing mark of his disciples. (Wesley)

CD

I will lift up mine eyes...

Psa 121

A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Praise God for He is Good!

Praise God for He is Good!


Psa 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.


Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.


Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.


Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Verklaar God se Almag of die klippe sal dit uitroep.

Vandag se boodskap:


God het ons geskape tot eer van Sy Heilige Naam. Ons moet Hom loof en prys vir Sy liefde en genade:

Job 7:17 -18 Wat is die mens, dat U hom so hoog stel en dat U op hom ag gee? En dat U hom elke môre soek, elke oomblik hom op die proef stel?



Eph 2:4-7 Maar God, wat ryk is in barmhartigheid, het ons deur sy grote liefde waarmee Hy ons liefgehad het, ook toe ons dood was deur die misdade, lewend gemaak saam met Christus—uit genade is julle gered — en saam opgewek en saam laat sit in die hemele in Christus Jesus, sodat Hy in die eeue wat kom, kan betoon die uitnemende rykdom van sy genade in goedertierenheid oor ons in Christus Jesus.


Luk 19:37-40 En toe Hy al naby die afdraand van die Olyfberg kom, begin die hele menigte dissipels God met blydskap te prys met ‘n groot stem oor al die kragtige dade wat hulle gesien het, terwyl hulle sê: Geseënd is die Koning wat kom in die Naam van die Here, vrede in die hemel en heerlikheid in die hoogste hemele! En sommige van die Fariseërs uit die skare sê vir Hom: Meester, bestraf u dissipels! En Hy antwoord en sê vir hulle: Ek sê vir julle, as hulle swyg, sal die klippe uitroep.



Psa 47:6-9 Psalmsing tot eer van God, psalmsing! Psalmsing tot eer van ons Koning, psalmsing! Want God is Koning van die hele aarde; psalmsing met ‘n onderwysing. God regeer oor die nasies; God sit op sy heilige troon.


Groet: 2Pe 3:18 Maar julle moet toeneem in die genade en kennis van onse Here en Saligmaker, Jesus Christus. Aan Hom kom die heerlikheid toe, nou sowel as in die dag van die ewigheid. Amen.

God's Promise to the world / God se belofte aan die mensdom:

Hi daar,

ek wil graag so 'n kort boodsakppie met jou deel.

Ek sluit 'n paar fototjies in van 'n reenboog wat ons onlangs afgeneem het. Hy was so groot dat ek hom in stukke moes afneem, 'n volle halfsirkel van begin tot end. En toe kry hy 'n eggo langs hom. God herinner ons gedurig aan Sy beloftes.


Tydens Thanksgiving word ons weereens op die hart gedruk om te besef hoe geseend ons is, en met groter dankbaarheid te bid vir God se Groot Genade.

Exo 19:4 Julle het self gesien ...dat Ek julle op arendsvlerke gedra en julle na My toe gebring het.
Exo 19:5 As julle dan nou terdeë na my stem luister en my verbond hou, sal julle my eiendom uit al die volke wees, want die hele aarde is myne.

(Exo 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine)

Gen 9:11-17 En Ek rig my verbond met julle op, dat alle vlees nie meer deur die waters van die vloed uitgeroei sal word nie, en dat daar geen vloed meer sal wees om die aarde te verwoes nie. En God het gesê: Dit is die teken van die verbond wat Ek sluit tussen My en julle en al die lewende wesens wat by julle is, vir ewige geslagte: my boog gee Ek in die wolke; dit sal ‘n teken wees van die verbond tussen My en die aarde. As Ek dan wolke oor die aarde bring en hierdie boog verskyn in die wolke, dan sal Ek dink aan my verbond wat daar bestaan tussen My en julle en al die lewende wesens, in alle vlees. En die waters sal nie meer ‘n vloed word om alle vlees te verdelg nie. As die boog dan in die wolke staan, sal Ek dit aansien om gedagtig te wees aan die ewige verbond tussen God en al die lewende wesens in alle vlees wat op die aarde is. En God het vir Noag gesê: Dit is die teken van die verbond wat Ek opgerig het tussen My en alle vlees wat op die aarde is.

(Gen 9:9-17 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.)

Mag jy hierdie belofte jou eie maak.

D C

Why Eytan Yam?

Ethan (Eitan, Eytan) - אֵיתָן
Meaning: Strong, steadfast, firm. The adjective "איתן" (eitan) refers to a stream whose water flows all year round.
History: There are several people in the Bible called Ethan. One of them is one of the wise men of King Solomon’s time.
Citation: “And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman and Chalcol and Darda the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all nations round about.” 1 Kings 4, 30-31 (Hebrew version: 1 Kings 5, 10-11)

Yam - יָם
Meaning: Sea, ocean.

Retreived: 21/10/2008: http://www.learn-hebrew-names.com/Show-Hebrew-Name-en414.htm