January 2025

Just after New Year’s Day, a friend and I spent two days in a wooden cabin in the Tsitsikamma forest—completely secluded, surrounded by pine trees as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, children’s voices reminded us of other life nearby, but mostly, it was just the companionship of birds. Early evening, as the last birdsong faded, it was time for the crickets and frogs to take over with their praise. It must have been

We all know the Leaning Tower of Pisa—the bell tower right next to the cathedral in Pisa. The cathedral and tower were built near the mouth of the Arno River, on clay soil mixed with sand and fine shells. First, the cathedral was constructed, followed by the bell tower. Work on the tower began in 1173 but was soon interrupted. These interruptions, some lasting decades, allowed the ground to stabilize, enabling the 60-meter-high tower to

According to Jewish tradition, Jesus and His disciples would have sung Psalm 118 on their journey to Jerusalem and during the Passover meal. The refrain of Psalm 118 would have been repeated: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever.” During Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the crowd even quoted Psalm 118 while singing. At one point, Jesus shared the parable of the farmer who planted a vineyard, but

There was great anticipation created with the prophecy in Isaiah 28:16, where God says: “Look, I am laying a foundation stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, as a sure foundation.” In ancient times, skilled stonemasons were in high demand. There was no cement to seal the stones. Each stone had to fit perfectly with the other. No wonder Isaiah speaks of a “tested stone”!1 And yet, a few centuries later—in Psalm 118:22—these

The Old Testament writers were masters of wordplay—something we often miss out on because we cannot read the original Hebrew. Fortunately, we can still appreciate their creativity. Take Isaiah, for instance, who says to God’s people:“You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay… Does the clay say to the potter, ‘He knows nothing’?” (Isaiah 29:16). Isaiah is also the prophet who frequently uses the word “foundation.” Although

Depending on the translation you use, there are between 80 and 100 references to foundations in the Bible, most of which are in the Old Testament. Many refer to the foundation of the temple, but at times the word is used metaphorically to signify spiritual steadfastness. Long before the temple’s foundation was laid, God had already established the earth’s foundation. When Job began questioning God, God replied with a counterquestion:“Where were you when I laid

On 8 December 1976, a massive earthquake struck Welkom (in the Free State). We schoolchildren were rushed out of classrooms onto the rugby field. Everyone was pale with fear. Not far away, a six-story apartment building, Tempest Hof, collapsed. At 12 years old, my fear was immense: if it could happen there, why not to our house too? For the first time, I learned about solid foundations, quality building materials, and construction regulations. I wonder

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are anxious of heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God’” (Isaiah 35:3-4a; 2020 Translation). I wonder if you can recall the answer to this question: “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” Perhaps you last heard it in your catechism classes. However, the answer from the Heidelberg Catechism (HC) is surely the only assurance we need for