Below is the lesson I will pass out to the early birds who come to our church for coffee on Sunday morning. They look forward to a brief Bible lesson they can enjoy with their coffee and treat.
Shall we Bless or Curse?
Do you ever get upset and
angry with the people who live in your city?
Many are sinners, needing
Jesus, and as a church, we are praying that their eyes and ears of
understanding will be opened to the truth of the Gospel. The Good News is that Jesus loves even the
sinner and is anxious for them to repent, and receive Him as Lord of their
life.
In Numbers
22-24, we find the story about Balaam and Balak the king of Moab .
The King of Moab
wanted to weaken the children of Israel ,
who
had moved in on his territory as they traveled on their way to the Promised Land.
The king
of Moab ,
believed in curses and sent a request to Balaam to come and proclaim a curse that would
eliminate the Israelites from his land.
Balaam was a
Prophet but his heart was not right. He
was willing to give a blessing or a curse for riches, but first he needed to
ask permission from God. Naturally God
did not want his people cursed, so he told Balaam “NO.” The king of Moab was troubled but he asked
Balaam to come anyway, and perhaps God would change His mind.
Balaam was
smart enough to know God seldom changes His mind, but he figured “Who
knows?” Besides he thought he might get
a payment from the King - - somehow.
Balaam saddled
his donkey and began his journey. Along
the way, there was a steep place with walls on each side. The donkey pulled over crushing Balaam’s
foot. Balaam was ready to curse now –
except it was the donkey he cursed as he beat the poor animal.
Imagine his
surprise as his donkey spoke with a voice and proclaimed, “Why are you beating
me as I am a faithful servant to you?”
Suddenly Balaam's eyes were opened to see a fierce looking angel with a large sword in his
hand.
The angel told Balaam, you are fortunate
your donkey swerved, because I was ready to strike you dead for your willful
attitude and disobedience. The angel
told Balaam to go and meet the King of Moab, but to ONLY speak blessings over
the Children of Israel.
What kind of
people were the children of Israel ? They were stubborn, rebellious, murmuring and
complaining and quick to serve other gods instead of Jehovah God.
The Children of Israel were very
much like the people in our city!! God
did not want curses, disaster,
misfortune, trouble and disease to fall their lot any more than he wants to
send calamity on the citizens of your city. (or on you and me) . . .
Many in our city are already
suffering in their body and in their emotions from their own willful lifestyle,
and we are praying that their minds and thoughts will be turned to the Lord. That the eyes and ears of their understanding will be open to receive Truth.
We are not praying that they will all get
rich with silver and gold, but that the spiritual riches of Jesus will
enlighten their spirit.
Many in our city were in
Sunday School and church as children, but they have turned their back on the
Lord. This is what Paul was saying to
those who professed to be Christians but were believers in Name only.
(Romans 2:2-5) And we know that the judgment of God
rightly falls upon those who practice wicked life styles. But do you suppose
this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do
the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think
lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing
that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your
stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the
day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Do you need Jesus? He is ready and willing to change you when
you invite him into your life. He desires to bless you.
2 comments:
good writing
Thanks for that reminder!
Post a Comment