Daniel 11:31- 33 tells about what was and what will be; an abomination that causes desolation, corruption and violation – then reminding: “But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” And that those who are wise will be instructing many through extremely difficult times. The crux of verse 32 is people who know their God.
As Satan and his forces snicker, gurgle and slap each other on the back there is a lesson they still must learn though; and that is that God often, if not usually, work with small groups that make a significant impact.
In South Africa the impact of those who destroy our economy, the country and potentially our future unfortunately appears to be far bigger than those focused on building, creating, healing, improving. We are challenged by Luke 19:13 however to “do business, occupy, operate til I come” and can be inspired by so many examples – but let’s take three from the Bible.
Daniel himself encountered a world where Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. He stood his ground for his God to the extent that a den of lions could not disrupt the insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom he and his friends received from God and changed the course of their history. All this because he had full trust in His God, who trusted him in return to the extent that he could tell us in detail about end times to come.
Although clearly told that the beautiful and prosperous land has been given them the spies sent out to explore Canaan came back with serious warnings about powerful people and large and fortified cities – containing even decedents of Anak the giant; concluding with “we seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” but Joshua and Caleb looked with different eyes, saw opportunity and were not afraid at all. They had a different spirit as they followed their God wholeheartedly. We see Caleb as an 85-year-old optimist who shouts: “Now give me this mountain!” when faced with the alternative choice of retire peacefully.
David was so human that just about anybody can associate with one or more of his sins as so amply described, but even more his heartfelt cries to God in different situations in the book of Psalms. This man, poet, sheepherder, king spent so much time with his God and got to know Him so well that God referred to him as “a man after my own heart”.
What these three (the Bible contains many more) all have in common is that they can be deemed as: those who know their God. And that should be the first step as we strategically engage with both huge challenges, and fantastic opportunities by living in South Africa for such a time as this.
Albie Heigers
4 March 2025
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