David spoke of nations noisily assembling against him. They devised plots in vain, as the Kings of the earth prepared for battle. They took council together against the Lord and against his anointed people. “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] And cast away their cords [of control] from us” (Psalms 2:3). God’s response to this is laughter and mockery. “It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:22).

God brings princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. David later said in Psalm 2, that God is ready to give us the nations for our inheritance. God will allow us to possess the ends of the earth. “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9). David’s warning was that Kings and rulers of the earth should exercise wisdom. They should serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Our God is a great and terrible God, who keeps the covenant of mercy to those who love him and obey his commandments (Nehemiah 1:5).

There is no king like our God, no ruler as strong and mighty as our God. World leaders exercise dominance and threaten to take control. “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap” (Malachi 3:2). Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to pull down strongholds. We laugh at the empty threats of the enemy. We laugh at his attempts to cause us fear, because we will not be defeated with the Lord on our side. The battle belongs to God, so we will hold our peace and God will fight for us. We will never be defeated with the Lord on our side.

“but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming” (Psalm 37:13).

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David was rumoured to have danced so hard before God that his clothes fell off. What the scripture actually says is that, “And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod” (2 Samuel 6:14). This ephod was a sleeveless garment worn by the Priests. David would have worn this under his royal robes and kingly garments. On this occasion, in worship and adoration to God, David laid aside his royal apparel in order to worship God. As a backdrop to this story, David initially set out to take the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem.

They built a cart to transport the ark, the ark fell, Uzzah reached out to save it and died. David became afraid of the Lord and left the ark in the house of Obed-Edom. The Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and David was told about this. David went to collect the ark and take it back to Jerusalem with joy. On this occasion however, the ark was carried on the shoulders of the priests, as God had prescribed. David’s expression of worship included, singing and dancing before God. David danced until his wife became contemptuous and possibly embarrassed.

She scolded David for uncovering himself, before the male and female servants, as he danced before God. “I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honour” (2 Samuel 6:22). David’s heart was so set on worship and praise before God, that he was not worried about the opinion of others. He worshipped God, with the freedom to express his gratitude.

Most people use dance as a form of celebration at parties and other events. Yet some people remain stoic and barely express any emotions in a church setting. God is not a dead, boring, religious fanatic who values rigidity over joy and celebration. We use our bodies as an expression of gratitude unto God. The next time you are in a church service, make sure that you go prepared to sing, dance and celebrate before God. “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2)!

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In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he encouraged the brethren to bear one another’s burdens. He cautioned them to be humble and look after those who taught the word. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Paul was saying that if we sow to the flesh, then we will reap corruption, but if we sow to the spirit, then we will reap eternal life. Paul taught them not to become weary or tired, of doing good unto others. A due season is coming, when everyone will reap if they remain patient.

Paul placed special emphasis on doing good, especially to other believers. We are one in the body of Christ. If we are all one body, how can we abuse each other and think that this will be pleasing to God? We have to show respect for our ministers and those who shepherd the flock. Look after the widows, elderly, children and those who are vulnerable. For those of us in positions of authority in the market place, we have to use that authority for good. You cannot join in with others, to help to persecute other Christians.

We cannot compartmentalise our lives and only remember that we are Christians on a Sunday. Our lives are a reflection of Jesus Christ and when we commit our work to God, this is an act of worship. God is present in the marketplace and our light will testify, about the love of Jesus Christ in us. We cannot turn a blind eye to injustice and abuse, or participate in oppressive behaviour. God is not pleased with this type of behaviour and we have to remember, that no sin goes unpunished. Do not think that money, wealth or promotion gained through unjust means, will have lasting value.

We will all have to answer to God and give an account for how we used what he has entrusted to us. “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them” Isaiah 61:8). We grieve the Holy Spirit, when we stifle our conscience and use our positions to treat people unfairly. We must not be so hard hearted and stiff necked, that we cannot heed the rebuke of the Holy Spirit. Do good no matter the circumstances. Do good, even when you think no one is watching. Do good, because God sees everything, both good and evil.

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We may recall this story in 1 Kings 19, when Elijah ran to hide in a cave. Elijah heard the voice of the Lord, asking what he was doing in the cave. He defended his decision and threw a pity party, about being the only true prophet alive. God listened to Elijah and then instructed him to go and stand on the mountain, before Him. A great and strong wind tore the mountain and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.

After all of these magnificent demonstrations of wind, earthquake and fire, there was a low whisper. Elijah perceived the presence of God in the whisper. He wrapped his face in his cloak and stood at the entrance of the cave. God questioned Elijah once again and then gave him the instructions for his next assignment. I notice the distinction between Elijah hearing God’s voice and the sound of the low whisper. I perceive that the whisper was God himself in his manifested presence. This while at other times, Elijah did not hear the audible voice of God. What I believe that Elijah listened to most of the times, was the person of the inner witness.

It was important for Elijah to be able to listen and discern either manifestations of God. Elijah had a major assignment ahead of him, but was spooked by Jezebel’s threats. God was ready to anoint two new Kings and a prophet and Elijah had a role to play in this. He was God’s mantle in Jerusalem and God needed him to anoint Hazael, Jehu and Elisha. These two Kings would be instrumental in the destruction of Ahab and Jezebel’s detestable leadership. “And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death” (1 Kings 19:17).

Power was about to change hands in Jerusalem and God needed Elijah to make preparation for what was about to happen. Although Elijah was fearful, tired and throwing a pity party, he was still attuned to the voice of God. Elijah could hear God speak and despite his fears, moved in alignment with God’s will and plan. We have to trust the voice of God over our emotions and fears. We have to move at God’s instructions, even when we feel tired and afraid. There is a much larger scheme of events that are dependent on our actions. The devil can use our emotional weaknesses as a major source of distraction. Stay connected so that you can move on God’s instructions.

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Solomon shared a lot of insight into family life and the home. We know his famous book about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. Most women describe themselves as a Proverbs 31 woman. Let us have a look at the core concepts in this chapter, in order to learn more from it. “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Solomon started by describing a woman of high moral standing, who was also quite capable. She is also a woman of value, as she is considered to be more precious than rubies.

Her husband has confidence in her and she adds great value to his life. She brings him good and not harm, she is industrious and she demonstrates good leadership skills. She has good money management skills and understands how to invest and increase her earning. “She is energetic and strong, a hard worker” (Proverbs 31:17). She uses her time well and has enough to help the poor. She does not fear hard times, because she makes provision for difficult seasons. Her husband is well known in their city of residence and he is a leader among men. She is an entrepreneur who produces items for sale.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”(Proverbs 31:25). She speaks words of wisdom and she instructs with kindness. She manages her home well and her children respect and honour her. Her husband offers words of praises to her; “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all” (Proverbs 31:29)! This woman fears God above all else and her relationship with God is more important than her outward beauty.

These characteristics may seem daunting for most women and can appear unachievable. I don’t believe that a woman can achieve these attributes, without the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit. We anticipate that women will have godly, supportive and loving husbands, who will help them to be who God created them to be. I also believe that as women, we can set the tone for our homes and families. Prayer is the main foundation upon which homes are built. As we grow in God and develop Christlike characteristics, he will perfect his work in us.

“Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise”(Proverbs 31:31).

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Jesus had many choice words for the Scribes and Pharisees. In Matthew 23, he outlined seven woes (great sorrow or distress) concerning their leadership practices. Jesus also outlined many challenges that he observed with them. 1. They did not practice what they preached. One of the most important traits, for people in leadership is integrity. People need to feel confident, that we not only say the right things, but also demonstrate right living. As such, Christians should live by example, as our lives speak a louder witness than our words.

2. They set unreasonable standards for people to follow, which they themselves could not maintain. We have to ensure that our judgement and assessment of other people is reasonable. We cannot set unreasonably high standards for people and lord our standards over them. 3. They did their good deeds to be seen by others in public. This is why Jesus said that we don’t need to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). 4. They loved to be esteemed by others and demanded recognition and acknowledgment. Jesus cautioned them to be humble and not to exalt themselves.

5. They put stumbling blocks in the way for people who wanted to serve God. They neither lived in a manner, which would guarantee them a place in eternity, nor did they pave the way for others. This is similar to standing in the way or sinners (Psalm 1:1). 6. They travelled to far distances to find a new convert. When they were finished with this convert, he was equally on his way to hell as they were. Jesus was distraught with their level of hypocrisy, as they were avid tithe payers, but neglected the more important laws. Jesus placed greater emphasis on the need to show justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Jesus described the Pharisees as blind guides who strained over a gnat (tiny insect), yet they were swallowing a huge camel. The emphasis here was that they were ‘majoring on the minor’ or ‘making a mountain out of a molehill.’ While there are fundamental things in scripture, which are important to be emphasised, we should not create unnecessary barriers for people. Three things which Jesus emphasised are justice, mercy and faithfulness. If we can get these three concepts right, then we can truly win people to God. Rules, restrictions and regulations serve as a burden and present barriers to people serving God in freedom.

“neither as being Lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).

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Joshua spoke of meditating on the law of God, both day and night. His reference to the book would have been the religious scrolls of his time. This is our bible which contains the written word of God. To meditate is to quietly reflect and to ponder over something. Scriptures are good for reflection and meditation, so that we can gain revelation knowledge. We hear the voice of God through scripture, so our quiet devotional time in the word is our time to communicate with God. As we meditate and God speaks, he will reveal deep and hidden mysteries.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). I have heard about business men who credit their success to prayer, fasting and listening to the voice of God. I would say that God can reveal insight, into a business venture to guarantee success. The books of Solomon for example, offer a lot of wisdom and insight for everyday life. The entire bible contains hidden mysteries and truths that cannot be found anywhere else. In our praying, reading the bible and fellowship with God, we also spend quiet time to listen.

We commit our plans to God and trust him that they will prosper. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Solomon went on to say that we should acknowledge God in everything that we do, and he will direct our steps. I know that some religious factions believe, that the Christian journey is all about suffering. It is true that we should expect, to experience persecution for the sake of the gospel. This does not mean that God wants us to live, a life that is characterised by complete suffering and heartache.

Jesus multiplied the fishes for Peter, in order to meet a financial need. The bible talks about success, prosperity, abundance and wealth. The key is to maintain balance and any system that is emphasised, over and above the rest of God’s word, leads to contrary doctrine. That being said, God desires that we prosper and be in good health, even as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2). Some people who hit out against teachings about prosperity, have never truly experienced suffering themselves. There are people who have experienced incredible hardship, for most of their lives and I believe that God is invested in meeting their needs.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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David spoke in Psalm about God being his help and his deliverer. He waited patiently for the Lord to help him out of trouble. The Lord drew him out of the pit of trouble and placed a song in his mouth to sing. “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie” (Psalm 40:4)! David knew that God did not take delight in burnt offerings. He spoke of taking pleasure in doing the will of God. David kept the laws and precepts of God, hidden in his heart, so that he could walk in his will.

Knowing the word helps us to know the will of God. The enemy cannot temp us with false doctrines and erroneous teachings, when we know what the bible says. Jesus responded to satan when he was tempted, using the word. “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”” (Matthew 4:4). We can test the perfect will of God against what the scripture says. One of the main ways to hear from God is through his word. We can know the will of God when we can listen, hear and respond to his voice.

David not only wanted to hear God and know what his will was, but David said that he took pleasure in doing it. How can we take pleasure in doing the will of God, even when his will does not always seem pleasant? We can take delight in knowing, that there are rewards to living in the will of God. Some of the rewards for us transcends this earth. There are also benefits that we will gain in this lifetime. God knows the end from the beginning and he knows how we will benefit, when we walk in his will.

We can take delight in knowing that if it is the will of God, then it will work out for our good. “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

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I once listened to a sermon by the late Kenneth E. Hagin. He described a time in his life when he experienced lack. This was after the Lord called him to change ministries. He remembered struggling to meet his needs and those of his family. He prayed about this and asked God why his needs were not being met. God spoke to him and told him that he had done what he wanted him to do, but that he was not willing. What it meant was that although he obeyed, the attitude of his heart was still unwilling. He shared how he quickly changed his attitude and became both willing and obedient. He shared that his circumstances changed once his attitude changed.

This sermon helped me to realise, that we can do the right thing with the wrong attitude and mindset. I never thought that it mattered as much, how I felt about it, as long as I did the right thing. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God sees and knows both heart, will and emotions. This is why David said, that God would not despise the sacrifices of a broken spirit and a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). We also see Jesus telling the father who brought his son to be healed, that all things are possible to them that believed. The father cried out in desperation, “I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

The father said this because he knew enough to understand, that the state of his heart and mind mattered in that moment. Sometimes we also have to cry out to God, to help us to fix our will and emotions. Half submission is not submission and even if we do the right thing, having the wrong attitude can affect the outcome. Jonah ran away from God because he did not want to prophesy against Nineveh. It nearly cost him his life, but may be he understood the consequences of doing something half hearted. God rejected Cain’s sacrifice because his heart was not in it.

When your heart is at the right place, you have no choice but to give God your best. The state of our hearts matter in order to guard against anger, bitterness and resentment. These emotions give an entry point for the devil, who can find legal grounds on which to afflict us. We can remember the reprimand from our parents, when we walked away with a grumble. This was often because we were sent to do something that we did not want to do. Doing what God has asked you to do while grumbling and complaining will steal your joy and peace. Maintain an excellent spirit and trust in God to reward your obedience.

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Jesus visited the pool of Bethesda, to see a crippled man who had been disabled for thirty eight years. Jesus’s question to the man could make a person wonder, whether or not he was being redundant. Onlookers would suggest that it was obvious that the man wanted to be healed. Why then would he have been sitting by the pool, waiting for it to be stirred so that he could step in? The idea was that at certain times, an angel would step in and stir the pool and the first person who stepped in after the stirring, would be made whole from their infirmity. “The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me”” (John 5:7).

Notice that Jesus didn’t ask the man, why he had not been made whole after thirty eight years. He didn’t ask him why he had not made it into the pool before then. The man was ready with an excuse for why he was still crippled. The man hoped that Jesus could enter into his experience and understand why it was difficult for him to be healed. Maybe the man hoped that Jesus would hang around and wait with him for the pool to be stirred, to help him get to into the water. The reality is that the likelihood of that was slim, because there were many people competing to get into the water.

There was good news for the man. The healing which Jesus would offer was not one that he needed to compete for. All the man needed to do, was to agree with Jesus and he would be made well. “Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk”” (John 5:8). At this statement from Jesus, the man was instantly healed, took up his bed and walked away from that pool.

As long as the man remained fixated on the pool, he would remain bound. His healing was not dependent on the pool being stirred, but on his belief in Jesus Christ. Jesus asked the question in the beginning, because there are people who unfortunately, do not want to be made well. A small minority of people, are addicted to the attention and sympathy that they gain from being unwell. Some people have been unwell for so long, that they stop believing that it is possible to be healed. Thirty eight years was a long time, but the man’s desire to be healed drew the attention of Jesus Christ. This desire led to his healing and freedom from his infirmity.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John‬ ‭8:36‬).

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