Lydenstyd-oordenkings - 19 Maart 2010

Die hemel getuig van die mag van God,
die uitspansel maak die werk van Sy hande bekend.
Die een dag gee die berig deur aan die ander
en die een nag deel die kennis aan die volgende mee.
Sonder spraak en sonder woorde, onhoorbaar is hulle stem.
Tog gaan daarvan 'n boodskap uit oor die hele wêreld
en hulle taal bereik die uithoeke van die aarde.
Vir die son is daar in die hemel 'n tent opgeslaan.
As hy stralend begin om sy baan te volg,
is hy soos 'n bruidegom wat uit sy slaapkamer kom.
Aan die een kant van die hemel kom hy op
en aan die ander kant gaan hy onder, en niks ontkom aan sy gloed nie.
Die woord van die Here is volmaak: dit gee lewe.
Die onderwysing van die Here is betroubaar:
dit gee wysheid aan dié wat nog onervare is.
Die bevele van die Here dui die regte koers aan:
dit bring blydskap.
Die gebod van die Here is helder: dit gee insig.
Die eise van die Here vir sy diens is goed:
dit staan altyd vas.
Die bepalings van die Here is reg:
elkeen van hulle is regverdig.
Hulle is kosbaarder as goud, selfs as baie goud,
soeter as heuning, as druppels uit 'n heuningkoek.
U dienaar laat hom daardeur leer.
Wie dit alles onderhou, groot is sy beloning.
Wie sien sy eie dwalinge raak?
Moet my tog nie straf vir sondes wat ek onwetend gedoen het nie.
Weerhou my van opsetlike sondes,
laat hulle nie oor my heers nie.
Dan sal ek onberispelik wees en vry van hierdie groot sonde.
Mag wat ek sê en wat ek dink
tog vir U aanneemlik wees,
Here, my Rots en my Verlosser.

Ps 19:1-15 (NAV)

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Ps 19:1-15 (NIV)

To live with compassion

Still, Jesus says: "Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate," and throughout the centuries all great spiritual guides echo these words. Compassion - which means, literally, "to suffer with" - is the way to the truth that we are most ourselves, not when we differ from others, but when we are the same.

Compassion, to be with others when and where they suffer and to willingly enter into a fellowship 0of the weak, is Gods way to justice and peace among people. Is this possible? Yes, it is, but only when we dare to live with the radical faith that we do not have to compete for love, but that love is freely given to us but the One who calls us to compassion.

Henri Nouwen