Francois (VO297) enrolled on 30th. He resides in Kempton Park & owns 3 bikes. The Vee is a Boulevard M50. Francois was recruited by member Corrie Janse van Rensburg. Well done!
Rallies are often a high-point on any biker's calendar, especially if it is attended by a group of bikers from the same club. There is nothing much more exciting than a number of big bikes roaring along the open road in formation. It indelibly imprints a picture of power and freedom in the minds of those who witness it, with many a time some little kid peering from a car's back window with awe and wonder written all over his face.
Then, of course, there is much excitement at the arrival on the rally site - unpacking gear and putting up camp - meeting other friends from previous rallies, etc. Such was the case at the Pongola rally at the end of June. Standing near the entrance gate of the rally site during the Friday afternoon, I was thrilled when I saw and heard the powerful throb of a group of cruisers turning into the rally entrance, recognizing them as the V-Owners Group from Pretoria, the East Rand and surrounding areas. And what a joy it was to be accepted and greeted like a long-lost friend, even by some whom I've never met before. But such is the kameraderie of the biker-fraternity. Then, of course, there are the different characters amongst the members. Some are quiet, some more serious, and, of course, every group has a "clown" or two in their midst. But even sometimes the more quiet and serious can "let go" - like the tall, thin biker and his friend, who, on the chilly Sunday morning displayed a hilarious alternative use for starter cables!
All too soon the rally, with all its fun and adventure, ends and it is time to pack up and head for home and the reality of earning a living. But at least the memories and fun of the weekend has been captured on photo's and one can look at them often in the days to come and remember old and new friendships that had developed. How blessed we are with modern technology that enables us to capture forever precious moments so that we can preserve those memories.
Even though this is amazing, I want to share with you an even more amazing truth: And that is the truth that God also preserves things! When David was going through a rough patch in his own life, this fact encouraged and strengthened him so that he could write about God in Psalm 56 verse 8:
"You number my wanderings; You put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?"
This psalm was written early in David's career when he fled from King Saul to Gath, the Philistine stronghold (1 Samuel 21). Following a secret anointing in Bethlehem by the prophet Samuel, David had entered into King Saul's service as court musician. The relationship proved difficult, partly because of David's popularity with the people. The latter was due to his character: he was young, handsome and brave. (1 Samuel 16:18). But it was the slaying of Goliath that changed the course of David's life. For a shepherd boy, armed with only a few pebbles and a sling, to overcome and kill the notorious enemy warrior, Goliath, was more than some people could take in. It brought David into the realm of folklore! Women sang openly in the streets: "Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands." This was something that King Saul resented and he became so bitter against David that he tried to kill him.
From that moment David became a hunted man and he had to flee to a place called Gath. David had hardly begun his adult life and now his world was falling apart. What lessons did David learn here in Gath? Let's see if we can summarize some of the lessons from Psalm 56:
1. Learning from our mistakes.
Firstly, we see that there is no problem too great for God. Some of David's problems were of his own making, others were not. Either way, troubles abounded for him and his many enemies were trying to kill him. But David learned something in Gath that would stand him in good stead for the rest of his life:
"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God have I put my trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
In a comparison Psalm, written at the same time and expressing much the same sentiments, David puts it this way: 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19). How does God do this? "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7).
Perhaps you are tempted to say that your problems are special. No one understands their complexities. When someone tries to offer a word of encouragement you simply shrug it off by saying: "But you don't understand! My problem is too big for God!" But think about that for a minute. I'm sure that every one of us has thought something like that at some time or another. But it makes no sense! If there is some power in the universe that is stronger than God, then God is not God! There isn't a problem that God cannot deal with and solve. That does not mean that the problem is always going to vanish away. It is vital for us to remember that sometimes the way God deals with problems is to help us cope with them.
That is what David discovered in Gath. Saul remained David's enemy, and attempts on his life would be made again. But because of these trials, David learned to trust God more fully than before. David, who had known the Lord's help to overcome the giant Goliath, discovered that in the darkest time of his life he could trust the Lord with his problems. We can trust God too!
2. Submission.
We also find that trials and difficulties have a way of bringing us into total submission to God. Through his trials David learned to submit his will to God:"I will trust in You … In God have I put my trust …" (verses 3,11). David's prideful spirit that came to depend on his own abilities had been broken and brought under submission to God. It was a painful process. It always is. And it was necessary, for unless we are prepared to accept God's will for our lives we cannot be useful for Him.
Sometimes the sight of evil men and women succeeding in their ways makes us fret. We become anxious. We lose our confidence. We become impatient. And we devise schemes to ape them. This is what David did. But now he sees a better way: waiting on God. In Psalm 37 he says:
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass."
It was his trial that taught him this lesson. Maybe you should ask yourself what area of your life needs to be brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Lord sometimes allows difficulties in our lives to bring us closer to Him - to make us realize that we should depend on Him.
3. Help is just a prayer away.
During his trial, David found that prayer sustained him through it. This is how David expressed himself: "When I cry out to God, then my enemies will turn back" (verse 9). He says the same thing in a companion Psalm: "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry" (Psalm 34:15).
Tell me, what are you doing with your problems? Maybe, like David, you are taking it out on your best friend. Husbands can bring problems home from the office and dump them on their wives as soon as they enter the front door! Mothers can take out their own frustrations by shouting at their husbands or their children! But the best way is prayer.
4. God knows.
However dark our circumstances may seem, we may be sure that our Father never forgets us:
"You number my wanderings; You put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?"
Are you the kind of person who needs to write things down to remember them? I am - and even then I sometimes forget! Some folk even write things on their hands! But God not only remembers, but He keeps a diary of everything that happens to us. Why do we think, as we so often do, that when trouble comes, it must be because God has forgotten us? Just think about it for a minute. Could the Father send His own Son to die in such a terrible way on the cross so that we might live, only then to forget all about us? The very idea is unworthy of God!
That God cares, and goes on caring deeply about His children, ought to be self-evident; but Jesus underlines it anyway. Out of some 9,000 species of bird He chose what must be the most common of all to make His point - the sparrow: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will … Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-30).
If the Lord knows all about a sparrow that might drop from the sky, then He most certainly knows and cares about you and me! Next time you see a scruffy sparrow just remind yourself that God cares for you, no matter what may be happening.
5. A praising heart.
Finally, we see from this Psalm that a praising heart will see us through difficulties. It's easily said, but a great deal more difficult in practice. It is much easier to get depressed, or moody, or irritable in difficult times. Praise is about the last thing on our minds in difficult times. But praise is the key that unlocks the door of faith in God. It helps us to take our eyes off the problem and focus on God who is able not only to sustain us in our time of need, but also to take us through our time of difficulty. David makes his vows of praise at the end of this Psalm like this:
"Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to you, For You have delivered my soul from death" (verses 12-13).
May the Lord bless you and keep you! And remember, the road behind you is past. So fix your eyes on the road ahead and keep the throttle open. Enjoy the ride!
Francois (VO297) enrolled on 30th. He resides in Kempton Park & owns 3 bikes. The Vee is a Boulevard M50. Francois was recruited by member Corrie Janse van Rensburg. Well done!
