Amandla Omthandazo

UJethro 5:13-18

Nguye Gabe Fluhrer

Ngenkathi nihlezi phansi, uma nizotjika ezincwadini zenu zibhayibheli kuJethro isahluko 5, niyakuthola lokhu ekhasini 1013 uma nisebenzisa incwadini yebhayibheli ekubeni. Ngaphambi kokuthi sifunde lesi sigaba, ngifuna ukwenza inkomentarili eyodwa mayelana nomkhutshana wowezi uphelelwe. Angisebenzisi umbhali wokulotshwa lapha, futhi enye yezinto ezingahle zenzeke ngokulotshwa ngale ndlela y ukuthi ungashiya izinto ozihlosile ukuzisho. Futhi ngenze iphutha elikhulu ngowezi uphelelwe. Abaphostoli benza amaphutha, nami ngenza amaningi, futhi elinye lawo laphosake ukuthi ikhukhulo yethu yokholo, iWestminster isahluko 22, ichaza ukuthi izifungo ezisemthethweni – besikhuluma ngezifungo ngowezi uphelelwe kuJethro 5 – izifungo ezisemthethweni ziyingxenye yoku thandaza okwenkolo. Futhi khona kukhona izigaba eziyisikhombisa mayelana nezifungo ezisemthethweni nezithembiso. Kakhulu lokho engifuna ukukucacisa ukuthi, kukhona izikhathi zokuthi kusemthethweni, ngokwezibhalo, ukuthatha izifungo nezithembiso – ukufunga esikhundleni somphakathi, ukusho izithembiso zethu zomtshado, izithembiso zosam. Yini uJethro ayexwayisa ngayo kwakuwukusebenzisa izifungo noma izithembiso njengendlela yokukhuluma okungeyona ukuqinisa lokho esake wasazi ukuba okungeyona ukhuluma. Kakhulu ngifuna ukwenza lokho kucaciswa ngokushesha. Ngiyanixolela ngokungakucacisi ngowezi uphelelwe.

UJethro 5; sifunda verse 13 kuya ku 18 kule mvakwemini. Ngaphambi kokuthi silalele iLizwi likaThixo, masiye kuye ekuthandazeni.

Oyihlo, thina kule mvakwemini singabantu ababhekene nalobu buhlungu obungenakuthenwa nokuthi thina asinalutho ukuthula esikhundleni sokukhathazeka Oyingenzanga ukuba sibekwe. Kakhulu kule mvakwemini sicela ukuthi Ungabhekisa amehlo ethu kuJesu, ukuthi sibone amandla omthandazo. UnguThixo onamandla ngaphezu kokuthi thina singakwazi ukucabanga. Kakhulu usisize. Usisize ukuba sazi amandla akho. Usibonise uKristu, umthombo wamandla ethu, ngomoya oNgcwele kule mvakwemini. Sicela egameni likaJesu, amen.

UJethro 5, kusukela eveseni 13. Lokhu iLizwi likaThixo elingcwele, eliphefumlelwe, yingakho elingenaphutha:

Ngabe ubekhathazekile phakathi kwenu? Makathandaze. Ngabe ubekhanya? Makadlale ukudumisa. Ngabe ubegula phakathi kwenu? Makabize abapastori bebandla, baze bathandaze phezu kwakhe, bamgcobele ngamafutha egameni leNkosi. Thandazo lokholo liyasindisa ogulayo, iNkosi iyamphakamisa. Uma enzele izono, uyaxolelwa. Ngakho-ke, vumani izono zenu phakathi kwenu, thandazani ngenxa yenu, ukuze niphile. Thandazo lomuntu olulungileyo linamandla amakhulu njengalokhu lisebenza. U-Elija wayengumuntu onesimo esifana nesethu, wathandaza ngokuqinile ukuba imvula inganethi, iminyaka emithathu neyisithupha imvula inganethanga emhlabeni. Waphinda wathandaza, izulu lanetha imvula, umhlaba wabele izithelo.

Utshani buchwaya, izimbali ziyawa, kodwa iLizwi likaNkulunkulu ophilayo liyasema kuze kube phakade. Amen.

Nokho, sathola umdlalo othi, njengoba ngiwaqonda manje, ungomunye wemidlalo emithathu ephezulu kakhulu yekhathalogi ye-Day School, “i-Barnyard Praise” yenkulnursery! Lokho kwaba yinto entsha kithina. Futhi njengokwehlukana, ngiyabonga, Gary nabasebenzi, wonke umuntu esikoleni se-Day. Lena yinkonzo emangalisayo yeqembu lethu futhi thina, u-Callie nami besikhuluma ngalokho, sasikhumbuziwe ukuthi i-Day School imangala kanjani ngemuva kokubuka lo mdlalo. Igama lizwakala lijabulisa futhi lincane, kodwa kunenkolo enhle kakhulu. Futhi angizami ukuphakamisa indodakazi yami lapha, kodwa yena athi – ngiyise oqhayayo! Sifikile engxenyeni yakhe yokukhuluma – ngangaziwa ukuthi wayezosho ntoni. Angizwanga ukuthi uyaziqhelisela noma into enjalo. Futhi wafinyelela engxenyeni yakhe yokukhuluma yathi: “Ngawakha njalo uma siqala into entsha, kufanele sithandaze. UThixo ufuna sikhulume naye ngakho konke.” Yilowo umugqa wakhe emdlalweni. Futhi njengoba ngahlezi lapho ngamlisten, ngacabanga ngami, “Hhayi unike awayi um sermon wami weSonto ebusuku, darling!” “Njalo uma siqala into entsha, kufanele sithandaze. Futhi UThixo afuna sikhulume naye ngakho konke.”

Yileyo ifokus'i yalesi sifundo stobusuku njengoba uJakobe ekuphetha uhlamvu lwakhe. Ibuya kwisahluko 4 verse 8. “UThixo unika umusa kubathobekileyo kodwa abekhathazayo abaqhoshayo.” Kwaye ngempela ukusukela ngaleso sikhathi, uJakobe ubenemisebenzi yokwethu, “Kunjani ukuphila impilo ethobekileyo, ethembekileyo?” Ubekhombisa umdwebo waleso sizathu eyisimpawu yempela yokholo lwangempela, oloba yinto ekhathazayo lolu hlamvu – ukholo lwangempela. Kwaye uJakobe, njengoba ekuphetha apha kulolu hlamvu, usitshela ukuthi enye yezimpawu ezibalulekileyo zomuntu okholwa ngempela ukuthi uphila impilo ethobekileyo, ethembekileyo yemithandazo. Kwaye yilesi isibuzo ebekufanele ngisibuze njengoba bengilungiselela kule viki – “Ngiyakukholwa yini emandleni omthandazo?” Siyakukhohlwa ukholo lwaleso sibuko sika “umthandazo uyashintsha izinto.” Njengoba abantu abalungisiweyo besifuna ukulungisa izinto ezimbalwa ngalelo cala, kodwa masicace. Izinto ezibalulekileyo zaleso sibuko ziyiqiniso, ngokuvumelana nezibhalo. Siyakukholwa yini?

Kwaye uJakobe afuna ukusisiza sibuyisele ukholo lwethu emandleni omthandazo msimu. Uyokwenza njalo kithi phakathi kwezi zihloko zimbili. Kwizigaba 13 kuya ku 16 – izimo zemithandazo enamandla; 13 kuya ku 16 – izimo zemithandazo enamandla. Kwaye kwizigaba 17 no 18 – isibonelo somthandazo onamandla. Futhi eyona nto uJakobe asinika yona msimu ichaza izimo zemithandazo enamandla ngokusinika leso sibonelo somthandazo onamandla. Yileyo imihloko yethu naleyo izinto ezibalulekileyo uJakobe asitshela.

Izimo Zemithandazo Enamandla

Bhekani nami emva nje kweyesi-13 kuye ku-16. “Kukhona yini phakathi kwenu ophekese? Makapraye. Kukhona yini phakathi kwenu ojabulayo? Makacule udumo. Kukhona yini phakathi kwenu ogulayo? Makabize abaphezulu bebandla, makabaprayeleni, bakugcwalise ngamafutha egameni leNkosi. Nempela umthandazo wokholo uyamsindisa ogulayo, iNkosi iyamphakamisa. Uma enenzono, uyaxolelwa. Ngakho-ke, vumelanani izono zenu phakathi kwenu, niprayelane, ukuze niphile.” UJames usinika ama-“C” amathathu njengezimo zomthandazo onamandla. Owokuqala uwumphakathi; yivesi 13 no-14. Umphakathi. Leyo yinto eyodwa yezimo zomthandazo onamandla. Futhi uyakwenza lokhu ngokumelindela. Bhekani lokho akwenzayo. Uthi zikhona izimo lapho sithola khona. Izinto zihamba kahle, siyagula, noma sikhathazekile, siphethwe yinto, njalo njalo. Uthi noma nina thina, zimo zenu zithini – prayini.

Futhi bhekani isecaleni akwenza khona. Enye yezindlela zomthandazo ayozikhuluma ngazo iwudumo. Futhi uthi, “Uma niziphilisa kahle uma izinto zihamba kahle kwenu, culani!” Njengoba sithi kokuqala, ikakhulu thina bantu, “Hhayi, angazi ukuthi ngicula kanjani.” Futhi makingene nje ezingeni. Angazi ukuthi ngicula kanjani yena, kodwa ngithanda ukucula. Futhi enye yezinto okufanele siyenze, ikakhulu uma izinto zihamba kahle emiphilweni yethu, ukucula. Futhi futhi, ungaba mbi, yiyo yingakho ikhona leyesi, “Nenza ingxolo ejabulisayo kuNkosi!” Futhi kulungile! Futhi uJames uthi uma izinto zihamba kahle, yenzani. Kodwa nakwizinye izimo futhi, akukho okwenzekayo, kufanele sibe abantu bomthandazo.

Naye lapho unika lesi sihluko esibangela ukuphikisana okuningi khona emavesini 14 no 15. “Uma umuntu egula, makabize abadala, abadala bamgcobise ngamafutha, lo mthandazo uzamsindisa lo muntu.” Kulungile, sizokhuluma ngakho konke lokhu ngomzuzwana. Masiyabone imininingwane embalwa. Enye yezincwadi zokuphawula engiyithandile ukuyifunda kulo mfula yincwadi yindoda okuthiwa u Dan Doriani. U Dan wayenguprofesa e Covenant Seminary, iseminary yethu yobuhlanga. Ube ngumpristi we-PCA owaye wathiwa ngesikhathi eside. Futhi une indaba enhle ngencwadi yakhe ngalesi sihluko ngindoda ekhethekileyo esontweni lakhe owaphulukiswa ekuthelelekeni kwenhliziyo okuyingozi kakhulu. Lo muntu watholakala enale vayirasi enhliziyweni yakhe, bekufanele ithathe impilo yakhe ngeminyaka embalwa, kanjalo u Doriani uyaphawula ukuthi ngesikhathi nje athola lesi sifo afunda lesi sihluko wabiza abadala besontweni lakhe wathi, “Ngicela nje nize ungigcobise ngamafutha nithandaze?” U Doriani wathi, “Hhayi, asizange senze njengalokho ngaphambili! Kanjalo ngendlela yamaPresbyterian, sathatha amasonto ayisithupha ukutadisha umtheo waphambuka sathandazela ukuthi angafi!” Ngesikhathi babethadisha bebebonakalisa ukuthi benzeni, bafika esiphethweni sokuthi, “Masiyaye enzeni.” U Doriani wabe esekhulumela lokho kwenzeka. Wathi, “Siya endlini yalo muntu, samgcobisa ngamafutha, wathi” ngiyakucaphuna, “ngesikhathi nje saqala ukuthandaza ngaba nale mvuzo yokuthi uThixo wayemphilisa umngani wami. Izingalo zami zazizwe okuthiwa nje ukushisa okukhulu okudlula kuzo. Ngesikhathi ngibambe igxathu lomngani wami, ukushisa negesi kwakasha esandleni sami. Ngazi uThixo wayemphilisa.”

Nokho ukuthi ulimi lungasenza singakhululeki, njengabakhethiweyo abafriziwe, kodwa masibe sobala, iSibhalo senza sazi ngokucacile ukuthi umthandazo ungaba nemphumelelo, uma uNkulunkulu ethanda, ekuphiliseni kwabantu. Futhi lokhu akusiyo into eyenzeka kanye. Ngeke ngilalela umkhulumi kanye ekungqungqutheleni owaye waguquka waba nguKristu ngoba umyeniwe wayehlonziwe ukuthi unomdlavuza wobuchopho. Lo mkhulumi wayenamadigri amathathu avela eHarvard, usosayensi obongwe; umyeniwe wathola umdlavuza wobuchopho, wanikezwa isigwebo sokuphila izinyanga eziyisithupha, abasanga baye ecwaningeni, bahamba baya ekerekeni laseKarismatic, iPentecostal, izandla zabo zabethwathwa kuye, waphiliswa – lokho kwenzeka eminyakeni eyishumi nhlanu edlule. Ngakho lezi zinto, lezi zenzakalo – futhi ngendlela, zonke zazo engizifundile zinezimpawu zohlobo olufanayo. Lawa mabhamuza omlilo; lokhu ukushisa namandla ahamba ngezandla zomuntu.

Nokho uDoriani uyaqhubeka achaze ukuthi lokho akuzange kwenzeke njalo lapho bebathambisela ngamafutha baze bathandazela kubo. Kwenzeka kulokhu kanye! Futhi okuthi uJames asitsho kithi kucacile kakhulu. Uthi lapho sithola ukuthi sisezimweni ezinjalo, kufanele sibize abadala ukuba bathandaze nathi njengabamele ikhulu lomphakathi esitholakala kulo. Njengabadala beKereke, njengalabo abasimeleleni, yilokho ayefika kukho lapha.

Thandaza Ngokuqiniseka

Kwaye-ke uyatshaya ukuthi kufanele sithandaze ngokuzethemba; hhayi nje emphakathini, kodwa ngokuzethemba. Isigaba 15 – “futhi umthandazo wokholo uzosindisa lowo ogulayo.” Manje ukudideka okukhulu kukhona lapha kule sigaba. Unayo kwesinye isandla abantu abathi, “Bheka, uma ungaphilisiwe, kungenxa yokuthi awunalo ukholo olwanele.” Enye yezinto ezidabukisa kakhulu ukuyenzeka njengomshumayeli ukuya kuvakashela umuntu ongeke abe nawo umuqondo wezwi ohluke njengawe. Futhi benginalaba bantu abathi kimi emibhedini yokugula – “Uyazi, mfundisi, inkinga y ukuthi nginandlela yokholo futhi yiyo eyenza uThixo angangiphilisi.” Hhayi, izinto ezimbili kufanele zikuphikise ngokuqinile. Inombolo yokuqala – uPawuli. Wathi, “Kathathu ngamthandazela iNkosi ukuba asuse le ndlovu yenyama, waphenduka wathi cha.” Ngakho noPawuli akaphilisiwa. Inombolo yesibili – ekugcineni, konke ukuphila kunakuphela kuze uJesu abuye. Sonke sizofa. Ngakho kungaba khona ukuphila okuncane, kodwa kusesikhashana futhi kusesikhashana kuze kube ukuphila kokugcina uma siye kuJesu. Ngakho-ke lelo yisandla esisodwa.

UThixo Ubukhosi Ekuphiliseni

Sifuna ukugwema ukuthembela okungaphezu kwemilingo lapha ngokugcoba ngamafutha – futhi asiqiniseki ukuthi lokho kutshenzisela ntoni; ababhali bezincwadi bahamba bayizungeza. Ingabe itshenzisela uMoya oNgcwele? Ingabe iyingxenye yeritshala? Asazi! Kufanele silalele sifanye. Ngamazi abashumayeli ababeguqukile abagcobile abantu ngamafutha, phakathi kukaDan Doriani nabanye. Kodwa into esifuna kuiphepha ngokuqinisekile ukuyibona njengomuthi womlingo noma ifomula yokuphila. UThixo ubukhosi ekuphiliseni. Ukhetha nini na ubani nawe akuphilisayo. Futhi angaphilisa ngokumthatha umuntu ekhaya. Ngakho lelo iphutha elilodwa okufanele ligweme.

Kodwa, ngakolunye uhlangothi, asikwazi ukuba abangabazi. Asikwazi ukuba labo abasondela kuye ngohlobo lokungakholeki – asibizi ngokuthi ukholo; kukungakholeki. Kuthi, “Ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi uNkulunkulu akasoze asebenze, kodwa ngiyathandazela noma kunjalo.” Umthandazo ongakholelwa wona awusoze usixhumanise namandla kaNkulunkulu. UJakobe watshela ngalokhu emuva kweshaphu 1.

Ukuphulukiswa Kwasemzimbeni noma Kwasemoya?

Kodwa ngoku, yile ndaba. Ngabe siyakholwa ngokwanele ngamandla Akhe ukuthandazela ngokuzethemba? Yilokho okulapha kithi! Yindaba yezinhliziyo zethu. Ngabe siyakholwa ngokwanele ngamandla Akhe ukuthandazela ngokuzethemba kodwa simthembe ukuthi enze izinto ngesikhathi Sakhe njengoba ethanda? Yilokho Akhe uhlangothi ukuba sikwenze lapha. Futhi usebenzisa le nkulumo, “Umthandazo wokholo uzosindisa lowo ogulayo.” Kodwa kwathakazelisa ukuthi yilo igama uJakobe alisebenzisa lapha. Lingasho ukusindiswa kwasemoya noma ukusindiswa kwasemzimbeni. Futhi sifuna ukumbuza uJakobe, “Kukuphi kwalokhu?” Ngingathi athi kithi, “Ewe!” Ngoba zonke izinkulumo ezihlobene nokusindiswa kanye “kumphakamise” lapha, zonke zinjengo ambiguous kule nkathi ezingasho ukuphulukiswa kwasemzimbeni noma kwasemoya.

Kodwa kuJakobe, umugqo wokugcina ungu – ukuvuma. Uthi iNkosi ingamphakamisa umuntu lowo ekhathini lokugula, kodwa lonke isikhathi Sakhe sigxile ekuthethelweni kwezono. Isaya 15, “Uma enzenze izono, uyothethelelwa.” Isaya 16, “Ngakho, vumani izono zenu komunye nomunye niyophulukiswa.” Kukhona lokho ambiguity kwakhona! Ingabe ukuphulukiswa kwasemzimbeni noma kwasemoya? UJakobe uthi, “Zombili!” Futhi umugqo Wakhe yilokhu. Uthi ungaphulukiswa kwasemzimbeni ngexesha elithile, kodwa uma uthandazela ngokuzethemba emphakathini futhi uhlanganyela ekuvumeni, uyophulukiswa kwasemoya njalo. Uyothethelelwa, uthi.

Inkululeko Enye Ngokuvuma Kwezwi

Nokuthi kuthini ukuvuma izono zethu komunye nomunye? Yaphinda, kukhona lokho kugcizelelo kwumphakathi. Hhayi, into eyodwa engenziwa yile nto. Ngibonile lokhu kwenziwa emihlanganweni yamaKristu. Ngabona umfundisi enze lokhu kanye njengoba wayeshiya ibandla. Waqala ukubiza abafazi ngamagama ayebahlubukile. Kulungile? Lokho akusona isigxizo sevesi lona nhlanhla. Uma unempikiswano ngesifiso, ngifuna ukukukhuthaza ukuthi uyeke lokho eNkosini ngasese because lokho yisono esiyimfihlo. Kunizono zomphakathi okufanele zivume umphakathi. Kodwa lokho uJakobe akhuluma ngakho lapha kulula kakhulu kunalokho. Ukhulumile ukuthi kukhona inkululeko ekhona lapho sihlanza imizwelo yethu komunye nomunye. Amabandla ethu kumele abe yizindawo zokuthi kuphephe ukwenza lokho. Ukhulumile kithi ngalokho kakhulu, akazange? – kuphephe ukwenza lokho because lokho yindlela eyodwa uNkulunkulu ayisebenzisayo ukuletha inkululeko emilweni yethu.

Kwaye akuyiqiniso lokho? Uma usube yingcwele isikhathi esithile uyazi ukuthi kuyiqiniso. Uma kukhona okukukhathazayo ngaphakathi futhi unomngane omuhle ongumKristu ongakwazi ukuya kuye uvulele izono zakho, kucishe kwenzele ukuphulukisa ngeshesha. Ngakho uJakobe usimema ukuba sicabange ngumphakathi wabakholekile lapho izinto zokwenziwa njalo - ukubalana ngemibandela, ukuvuma izono komunye nomunye ukuze sithole ukuphulukiswa kweminye imiphefumulo yethu. Ngakho uJakobe usithembisa ukuthi loThando usitholele ngale ndlela, hhayi ngenxa yokuvuma kwethu komunye nomunye kodwa ngoba uma senze lokho, futhi siyenze kuNkosi kuqala futhi siyenze nomunye nomunye futhi siyakhalimisa komunye nomunye ekukholeni kwethu kuKristo, yenza ukuphulukisa. Udinga ukwenza lokho? Ngiyazi ngaphakathi kwami, ngorinda nje ngaba yingcwele nginemngane omthandekayo owayeguqulwe ngomshana. Besingabafowethu ekolishi, wagcina eba umkhulumeli emshadweni wami, usabonakala singabangani abaseduze. Wayengomunye walabo bantu abambalwa abangakwazi ukuya kuye, futhi nanamuhla, singabacaphuna komunye nomunye futhi savumelanisa komunye nomunye lokho okwenzeka emalini yethu - izono esisokulwa nazo. UJakobe uthi yilo esifanele ukwenza komunye nomunye.

Kuye Wathola Ukuthethelelwa KukaNkulunkulu Nenceba?

Naye enye yezinto okufanele sizibuze yithi, “Lolu ngendawo lapho lokho kungenziwa khona?” Ibuyela emuva kwlokho besikhuluma ngalo isonto eledlule – ukuba yiqiniso; ukususa lelo maski. Noma lapho sivuma kowodwa, ukusabela kokuqala akusona isahlulelo esonayo, kodwa kunalokho kuwukukhululeka, “Nami! Ngikusiza uthole ukhululeko kulolu hlobo lokonakalisa ulwenza.” Futhi futhi, lokhu kuphuza emphakathini wabakholekile kuphela kulabo ababenze kwazi ukuxolelwa kukaNkulunkulu nomusa. Awukwazi ukukhombisa owakho. Ingqikithi lapha ukuthi labo abalokhu kwenzeka kubo nalabo abakulokhu benza yilabo ababenze kwazi umusa kaNkulunkulu nokuxolelwa kwakhe emihlotsheni yabo. Singenze lokho? Futhi enye yezinto ezisenza sibe nolaka nesahlulelo nokuxolelwa kungenxa yokuthi sikhohlwe lokho esisanda kucula – “Dijithwe! Ndiyathanda ukukhuluma! Dijithwe, ngegazi leNdlane! Ingane yakhe, nanaphakade ngiyaye.” Umuntu okhishiwe yilowo mthandazo uyakuba umuntu onokuxolela; uyakuba umuntu, lapho uya khona uvume kuye awanakusukuma phansi ekhaleni lakhe, uyakuthi, “Masithandaze. UNkulunkulu mhle kakhulu, angasiza kulesi simo.” Yilowo ukuzethemba uJakobe afuna usibe nakho. Lokhu kuyakwenzeka lapho sihlangabezana nomusa kaNkulunkulu nokuxolelwa kwakhe.

Ukulunga Kwethu eKristo

Ngakho-ke umphakathi, ukuzethemba, nokuvuma. Futhi uJakobe uphetha ngomshwana lesi kuvesi 16, “Umthandazo womuntu olungileyo unamandla amakhulu njengoba usebenza.” Yileyo nkind promise edingeka ukuba sibambe kuyo! Mhlawumbe sesithandazile lokhu kubwaNkulunkulu uma ukhulele esontweni? Ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi uyawuzwa. Kodwa uma kukusha kuwe, nansi iphromisi, kalula nje. Hhayi uthi, “Hhayi, ngimuntu olungileyo.” Futhi anginathi. Kodwa kuKristo, silungile, yingakho singaba nokuzethemba uma sithandaza ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyasizwa. Konke lokhu kusudiwe uku…, kusudiwe ukutshala, kusudiwe kutinike ukuzethemba kakhulu emthandazweni. Yingakho uJakobe asinika le phromisi.

Isibonelo Somthandazo Onamandla

Kodwa bhekani nami endaweni yesibili isibonelo somthandazo onamandla. Yilokhu athi. “U-Eliya wayemuntu onenhlobo efanayo nathi, yena wathandaza ngokuqinile ukuba kunganethi, iminyaka emithathu nemisebe, kwakunganethi emhlabeni. Khona wathandaza futhi, izulu lanetha imvula, nomhlaba wabeletha izithelo zayo.” Yilokhu isibonelo. Qaphelani njengaJakobe amsingenisa ngayo. Yile umuntu weTestamente Elidala owesibili atho ukunaka kwethu. Isonto elidlule kwakunguJobe. Kule wiki ngu-Eliya, umprofeti omkhulu; ingakho umprofeti abalobi beTestamente Elisha bayamphakisa njengongumuntu oyisibonelo sabaprofeti. Kodwa wabona njengaJakobe amsingenisa ngayo? “Umuntu onenhlobo efanayo nathi.” Kungani enza lokhu? U-Eliya wayehlonishwa kakhulu ngamaJuda asendulo. UJakobe ungumJuda osendulo, yingakho singalindela mhlawumbe ekungenisayo ngandlela ethe - “Umprofeti omkhulu nowexukileyo, u-Eliya,” into efanayo naleyo. Uthi, “Umuntu onenhlobo efanayo nathi.” Kungani? Ukhumbuza ukuthi kule mpendulo enkulu yemthandazo u-Eliya ayitholile, wayengumuntu onga…, wayengumuntu ofanayo nathi. Ngamanye amazwi, uJakobe athi le nkind yamandla emthandazweni u-Eliya ayenayo.

Naye siphinde siye embuyiswe kule nto eyenzekile kwincwadi yabaseKosi. USalomo wathandaza yena usitshela oko kwenzeka. Ukugeleza kwendalo kwashintshwa. Ngoku andazi ngawe, kodwa ukuba ndamkela loo mpendulo yohlobo lokuthandaza, loo nto yayiza kundikhulisa ukholo lwam! Ngokukhethekileyo emva kwe-alamu yethu yewetha kule ntsubeko, ndicinga ukuba uninzi lwethu luyathanda ukuba namandla kaSalomo okuphelisa iintshukumo nezivunguvungu ezinzima ephakathi eMisisipi! Kodwa yile nto yenzekile. Uthandaza ukuba kungebi mvula. Akukho ngcaciso; akukho ngcaciso yendalo. Yiyo kuphela ingcaciso engaphezu kwendalo yokuba uThixo wamphendula umthandazo wale nkulungisa inkulu. UYakobe uthi, "Ewe, kodwa." Amandla abo ayafumaneka kuthi sonke. Umntu onendalo efana nale yethu. Wena nawe ningaba nokholo lokuthandaza ukuba loo mandla ayafumaneka kithi. Ndiyidinga loo nkuthazo evela kwLizwi. Ndiyidinga ukwazi uThixo unamandla. Ndiyidinga ukwazi xa ndikhubazekile yena andiboni mpendulo zothandazo ezifana neempendulo zothandazo olungaphezu kwendalo lukaSalomo zisekhona. Kwakhona nokwenza kwakhe, uYakobe uthi zisekhona.

Kodwa uma sifunda nge-Elija kuphinde kusikhumbuza ngalokho uJesu akusho. Uyakhumbula yini akusho eMathewu 12? Wathi, “Yena omkhulu kuno-Elija ukhona.” Futhi lokhu kusithatha ekuyeni kwiVangeli uma sifunda nge-Elija njengesibonelo lapha somthandazo ngoba kubuyela emva kweleso lesi statement ekugcineni emavesini 16. Umbuzo okufanele sonke siwubuze ngowuthi, “Ungubani umuntu o righteous?” Futhi uJesu uyatshengisa kithi Yena omkhulu kuno-Elija. Futhi lokho kugcina ukunaka kwethu kuJesu njengomuntu omkhulu kuno-Elija, njengomuntu oyedwa o righteous ongakaze aphile – ngokuphelele o righteous; ngokuphelele othilekileyo kumthetho kaBawo. Futhi kuvele, kuno kuye, kusithatha ngqo enkabeni yomphefumulo womSindisi. Bonke abaprofethi ababesele u-Elija njengommeleli babengabantu abathandaza kakhulu futhi babatshengisa ngaphambili kuJesu. Futhi ngakho uma sifunda ngeMpilo yoMsindisi, sifunda izinto ezinjengale Mark 1:36 Lo wayehlala ethandaza. Hhayi, angithi wena udinga ukusetha i- alarm clock yakho ngo-3 ekuseni kusasa uphinde uvuke uthandaze. Akuyona ideya embi, kodwa akuyona into leyo yaleso veshi. Indawo yaleso veshi ukusibonisa ukushisekela nokuzinikela koMsindisi ekuyeni kwaBawo.

Umthandazo kaKristo Obuhlungu

Nokuphela, ukuphela kwempilo Yakhe yokuthandaza, yiqiniso, yiJadini yaseGetsemane. Siyaphi lapho Siyamthola? Masiye kulelo jadini siyamthola uMsindisi ongenasono wezwe, uNkulunkulu-uMuntu, ngobusuku ngaphambi kokubulawa Kwake, ecela abangani Bakhe abasondelene kakhulu ukuba bathandazele. Bangaki bethu sathi kithi thina namhlanje ekuseni, “Thandazani ngenxa yami! Ngi nazo izinto ezimbalwa; ngi nazo ezinye izinto.” Futhi siyathanda ukuthandazela komunye komunye; ngiyazi, sihlangabezane nakho ngokuyisimangaliso muva nje, njalo njalo njengoba besilapha. Kodwa uJesu wacela lokho abangani Bakhe – bamshiya. Futhi lapho Simthola uMsindisi eGetsemane, asimtholi nje enenza imithandazo emihle kuBaba Wakhe. Simthola ekhathazekile kakhulu futhi edabukile kangangokuthi kwavela isimo sakhe sokugula lapho imithambo Yakhe yegazi yaphuka yaye waqala ukujuluka, umbhalo usitsho, njengokungathi, amaconsi amakhulu egazi. Ukhathazeka emthandazweni! Futhi yini ayethandaza? “Baba, uma kungenzeka, makale ngekho kuye lo isikhala.” Yisiphi isikhala? Isikhala esichazwe yiziprofethi. Isikhala sobuNkulunkulu. Isikhala sobuNkulunkulu ngenxa yayo yonke imikhuleko yethu, ngenxa yayo yonke uk pride yethu, ngenxa yayo yonke ukwenqaba kwethu ukuthembela kuNkulunkulu, ngenxa yayo yonke ukumpompa kwethu kuye. Futhi uJesu uthi, “Uma kungenzeka, makale ngekho kuye.” Futhi nokho uyaphela kanjani umthandazo? “Nokho, musa kwenziwe intando yami kodwa eyakho.” Lokho kuya kubuyela nje kwlokho uJakobe ebe usifundisa. uJesu uyakwenza ngakho ngokuphelele. Unayo umthandazo wokholo. “Ngiyazi Ungakwenza lokho, Nkulunkulu. Ngiyazi Ungakhipha isikhala kuye. Nokho, musa kwenziwe intando yami, eyakho, Baba.”

KwaNgani Athandaza Ngakho?

Naye lokhu kuphakamisa omunye umbuzo oshisayo – Kungani Yena athandaza ngale ndlela? Kungani uMsindisi wethu ejuluka amaconsi egazi amakhulu engadini? Kungani Yena athandaza ngale ndlela? Futhi impendulo ithi – ngenxa yethu. Yena wayewazi amagama ethu ngokuYena esiya kulelo msalo. Yena wayewazi ukuhlupheka ayengakubhekana nakho kwakungekho ngenxa yono. Yena akazange enze sono; akukho ululwazi olwatholakala emlonyeni wakhe. Yena wayephelele; uMvana kaNkulunkulu ongenasici. Futhi nokho zonke izono zethu zazimelelwe kulelo tashe Yena waguqa ngamadolo akhe Yena wathandaza ngale ndlela yakhe ngenxa yakho nangenxa yami. Yena wayethandaza esikhundleni sethu. Futhi izindaba ezinhle kakhulu ukuthi, lo msalo awukuyeki lo mthandazo. UJesu akayeki ukuthandazela kithi. Umbhali weHeberu usho lokhu, “Yena uphila njalo ukuze enze isithunywa ngenxa yethu.”

Ingabe udinga ukhuthazo namhlanje ukuthi imithandazo yakho ifike phezulu kunophakeme? USekhaya usitshela, esebenzisa isibonelo sikaEliahu esisithatha ngqo kuKristo, ukuthi akukho nje kuphela ukuthi imithandazo yakho ifike phezulu kunophakeme; njalo ifika phezulu kunophakeme. Eqinisweni, ifika ngqo ezulwini lapho uJesu ekhona khona kwesokudla seBaba, esithunywayo njalo. Lokho kuyindaba enhle kubantu abangenamthandazo kuthi, ngoba uma ngithandaza, ngicabanga ukuthi iningi lathi lapho sithandaza, kube khona okungaka “kwami” kwimithandazo yethu. Siyenza uhlobo lwe ACTS – ukudumisa, ukuvuma, ukutshumeka, ukucela. Kulungile? Sonke sizwile lokho uma ukhona esikoleni seSonto noma ukhulela esontweni. Iningi lathi kulula ukudlula ekwenziweni kwe ACT. Ukudumisa – “Nkulunkulu, Ungumkhulu.” Ukuvuma – “Ngonile. Ngiyabonga ngokwenzayo. Manje vumela ukuthi ngikutshele okudingayo.” Yindlela imithandazo yethu eya ngayo. Ingabe akuyathokozisa ukwazi ukuthi ngakho konke ukonile kwethu, sonke sibambekile kule mithandazo, lokho kususwa yigazi likaJesu?

Naye, njengokwephriests ongumthetheleli othembekile weTestamente Elidala, uthatha umusi womthandazo wethu onguwathatha hhayi njengokunuka okubi emiphefumlweni yethuThixo, kodwa njengokunuka okumnandi okwanelisa umshumayelo ka-Isaya wokuthi imithandazo iyakhuphuka njengomusi ovela kuwo wonke umhlaba, uJesu uthatha yonke imithandazo yethu egoqelekile, yonke imithandazo yethu ebekwe ngokungalungile, yonke imithandazo yethu engenathemba, aye yenza ibe nephunga elimnandi phambi koBaba onkulunkulu, ukuze wena nami sikwazi ukwazi ukuthi lo mthandazo uzwiwe, yaye uyaphendulwa ngokuvumelana nentando kagThixo ephelele. Musa ukulahlekelwa ukuthemba emthandazweni. Yilokho uJakobe akusho kithi. Yilokho uJesu akusho kithi edlula ngamadolo akhe eGetsemane. “Ngithandazele wena, Petru, ukuze ufaith yakho ingan(c)isi.” Yaye uthandazela kithu njengamanje. Lapho udinga umuntu othandazela wena, oh, buza noma ngubani lapha. Kodwa buza uJesu. Mthande. Uyathandazela kithu.

Thandaza Nini Nanphi Nawe Ukwazi!

Ake ngiqede ngokukunika izinto ezine zokuthi sikwenza njani lokhu emhlabeni wangempela. Sikwenza njani lokhu ukuphila okuthembele emthandazweni? Into yokuqala, thandaza nini nanphi nawe ukwazi – enzenzeka ekuya eskoleni, enzenzeka ekuya emsebenzini, ekuya ekilasini, ngenkathi wenza izinto zikakhishi, ngenkathi useofisini, ngenkathi iphuma ehamba izinyamazane, ngenkathi wenza ilondri. Noma yini, thandaza nanphi nawe ukwazi. Uma ukhona emotweni uhambe phansi komgwaqo, gcina amehlo akho evulekile, kodwa thandaza!

Gxila KuJesu!

Into yesibili – ungagxili ekubeni ubude bemithandazo yakho; gxila kOthile ozithandazela kuye. USatana ufuna ukusebenzisa le ndlela. Uma uthandaza imizuzu embalwa nje uthi, “Bona umthandazo wakho uphi?” Kudingeka ngithandaze nangaphezulu; sonke kudingeka sithandaze nangaphezulu. Umzuzu awusithola ukuba sigxile kulowo, asusa amehlo ethu kuJesu. Yileyo ngxubho yemithandazo yethu, hhayi ukuthi sithandaza isitha eside kangakanani. Futhi makingathi lokhu. Umthandazo ungaba njengokuthandana nomuntu – amahora andiza. Lokho kungasenzeka ekuthandaneni kwethu noJesu, kodwa kuqala ngokungagxili esikhathini sethu, ekuboneni kwethu isikhathi. “Sesithandazile isitha eside kangakanani?” Kodwa kunalokho, “Sithandazile kuye kangakanani? Simgxile kangakanani kuye? Sithandazile kangakanani njengoba besichitha isikhathi noMlobo, umlobo omkhulu, uMsindisi waboni abafana nami?”

Thandaza Uma Ungazizwa!

Into yesithathu – thandaza uma ungazizwa! Thandaza uma ungazizwa. Futhi uyakuthi, “Yikhukhesi.” Cha, bahlobo, hhayi yikhukhesi; yikhaya. Yena uSathana uthi, “Bona, uyakhukhesa. Awuzizwa. Awuzizwa usondele kuJesu. Inhliziyo yakho ayikho kuwo, ngakho yeka ukuthandaza.” UJesu uthi ukholo luhle kakhulu kunemizwa. Uma ungazizwa, thandaza. Kungenjalo, njengexa ngibe yKristu, umpastor omdala wanginika iBhayibheli futhi walibhala ngaphambili, “Xa kunzima kakhulu ukuthandaza, thandaza kakhulu.” Xa kunzima kakhulu ukuthandaza, thandaza kakhulu. Hhayi yikhukhesi, yikhaya. Yileyo uthi, “Nkosi, angizizwa kodwa ngiyakholwa Kuwe. Ngiyakholwa ukuthi Uyongezwa.” Thandaza uma ungazizwa.

Thandaza Ngethemba!

Into engwethi – thandazani ngokulindele! Yilokho uJakobe asho kithi. Thandazani ngokulindele. Uma ufuna abapastor beze kugcoba ngamafutha, babize. Uxolo ngokuthi ngivulele nje abapastor beSeshini ukwenza lokho, kodwa uma uJakobe esho, kufanele sikwenze! Kusebenza, ngokusho kukaJakobe kithi uma uThixo ekhetha. Thandazani ngokulindele yingongolo. Ungabeki ukholo lwakho emafutheni noma kubapastor; bekela ukholo lwakho kuKristu thandaza wazi ukuthi Ungasebenza. Siyakholelwa yini? Njengabantu basebandleni, njengabantu ngabanye, yilokho esikudingayo namhlanje, bafowethu. Kufanele sibe uhlobo lwabantu basebandleni kanye nabantu ngabanye abajabule ngokwazi ukuthi uThixo uyawaphendula imithandazo yakethu futhi angenza izinto ezingavamile ngomuntu oyedwa ethandaza. Umuntu oyedwa! Umlando webandleni ugcwele izibonelo zomuntu oyedwa ethandaza nezinto zonke zishintsha.

Omunye wabantu engibathandayo nguGeorge Muller waseBristol. Unkosana “wabantwana basezintandini.” Waphila kusukela ngo-1803-1898. Waphila isikhathi esiningi sekhulu le-19. Waguqulwa lapho eneminyaka engamashumi amabili futhi phakathi nokuphila kwake, ekuqaleni ngemuva kokuba yikristu, okokuqala, waba nokuqiniseka kweCalvinism futhi wathi lokho kwaguqula impilo yakhe yethandazo lapho aqiniseka ukuthi ukholo olulungisiwe lufundwa kahle yiZibhalo. Futhi ngemuva kwalokho, wenza isinqumo sokugcina ijournal. Waqala izintandini wathi, “Ngigcina ijournal yemithandazo ephenduliwe ukubonisa labo abangakakholelwa kuEvangel iNkosi ukuthi kunuThixo ezulwini yena ophendulayo imithandazo.” Kanjalo waba nenjongo yevangeliso kanye ne-apologetic, ukuzivikela kukholofwethu, yokugcina lezi journal zethandazo, zonke ezishicilelwe namhlanje. Kanjalo kusalokhu kukhona ukuphila kwake, wathandaza. Akazange atshele abantu ngenxa zakhe; wathandaza nje. Akazange atshele nabantu abasondekayo. Kunjalo ngendaba ngendaba yalezi zintandini, eziningi kuzo, zivuka zingazi ukuthi zizodla kanjani isibuko sazo ekuseni, ingasabi luncht noma isidlo sakusihlwa. uThixo wayesebenza njalo.

Naye ekupheleni kwempilo yakhe, nazi izibalo. Ngokusebenzisa izincwadi zikaGeorge Muller, ezilungisiwe zafinyelela emayini yanamuhla - wanakekela abantwana abangaphezu kuka-10 000 abayizintwa futhi wathandazela cishe izidlangalazi ezingama-70 million zafinyelela emayini yanamuhla ukuze anakekele labo bantwana - abantwana abangama-10 000; izidlangalazi ezingama-70 million - umthandazo. Futhi ngokuthakazelisayo, kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe, ngemuva kokuguqulwa kwakhe wathandazela abangani bakhe abayisishanu. Ngamunye ngamunye, bonke baba abantu abamukelayo uKristu. Oyedwa kuphela, noma kunjalo, waphikelela. Futhi uMuller wathandazela yena njalo, njalo iminyaka engu-63. Ngasekupheleni kwempilo yakhe, wabuuzwa ngomngani wakhe oyedwa ayethandazela yena ongakabi umuntu abamukelayo uKristu. Bathi, “Awadikiwe na?” Wathi lokhu. Wathi, “Ngithandazele iminyaka engu-63 nezinyanga eziyisishanu ukuguqulwa kwakhe. Akasapheki, kodwa uyakwenza. Kungenzeka njani okunye? Ngithandazela.” Futhi ngokuphindaphinda, uMuller wayesho izinto ezinjalo, “Ngingedwa. Aningithangathanga ukuya kuNkulunkulu. Ngiyakholwa ukuthi uYabakhulu wami uyangithanda futhi uyangilalela.”

Nazi izindaba. Uyafa; lowo mngani wakhe uvele ekhathini lakhe. Njengoba behlowera umzimba kaMuller phansi wayegijima aye ekhathini lakhe yethi, “Nkulunkulu, yiba nomusa kimi, isoni!” wawasindwa khona ekhathini lakhe uMuller wafa ngokholo. Futhi nali iphuzu. Ingxenye enhle kakhulu ngumthandazo onamandla njengoba uJakobe ekhuluma ngaye njengoba uGeorge Muller edemonstha ukuthi wonke umuntu olapha stanight angakwazi ukukwenza. Iyatholakala kwethu sonke. Musa ukuphuma lapha ngaphandle kokwazi lokho. Njengamanje, namuhla, konke okufanele sikwenze kukho ucela. Ngakho masithandaze!

Baba, sisincedi ekukholeni. Sinike ukuzethemba okunovuliwe njengomphakathi wabo bonke abavume izono, abaningi kithi. Kwabangaakazivumi, Jehova, ngithandazela namhlanje ekuthi babe njengomngani kaMuller oweza ukwazi uKristo. Baba, musa ukubavumela balinde enye usuku. Futhi sisincedi sonke, Jehova, ukuphuma kule ndawo ngamandla anovuliwe okuthandaza. Sifisa kakhulu ukuhlaziya imithandazo ephenduliwe, ukuhlaziya okuningi Kuwe. Susa ukungabaza futhi wakhe ukholo. Yilokho ithandazo lethu, lo sicelo siwenza egameni eliqinileyo likaJesu. Amen.