"Acting Out"
"This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction, that Your word has revived me and given me life" (Psalm 119:50 AMP). David is saying that in times of trouble he did not search after other things to console him. His confidence in God's word remained steady, no matter the circumstances. He did not look around for something to ease his miseries, as we do, as if any thing that tickles our fancy will get rid of our sorrows.
David is also saying that he found contentment and satisfaction in the word of God itself. God's word gave him courage and inspiration.
Now I had never smoked before, in fact even purchasing the cigarettes went against my conscience. In my heart I knew better; however, I rationalized in my mind that it would be okay and that it would help me get my mind off of the disappointment.
I took one cigarette out of the package and lit the match. All of a sudden I noticed there was a hole in my new blouse. The spark from the match had burned a tiny hole in my favorite blouse, the blouse that I had spent weeks making for myself.
It didn't take me long realize that I had done the wrong thing. I had not looked to God's promises to comfort and heal my heart. I deserved what I got and to this day I vividly remember that experience.
When we "act out" the blame rests with ourselves; because, when we despise or overlook the word of God, we purposely deceive ourselves with vain consolation - things that are empty - things that make us worse instead of better!!!!
This question is for both of us. Are we going to "act out" today, or are we going to trust in God's word for the help we need?
Romans 15:4 says "For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast and cherish hope."
In other words, all of the Bible, written years ago, was written for us today in order that we might not run after this or that, but hold securely to the ONE thing, the ONE person who alone can keep us and give us hope.
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(I have left this devotional on Blessings and Curses for months, simply because it is basic doctrine. It's what we all need in learning to fear God. If you have read it before, perhaps you might want to refer these truths to a friend!)
Blessings and Curses
1. Jesus gives blessings for obedience (Matthew 5)
2. Jesus gives curses for disobedience (Matthew 7).
The blessings and curses depend upon our obedience.
"Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the flood came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. and great was its fall" (Matthew 7:24-26 NKJ)
Why does God bring about blessings and curses in our lives?
The basis for all of God's dealings with us is the Everlasting Covenant, the relationship of intimate friendship we Christians have in Him.
"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your generations after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you (Genesis 17:7 NKJ ). I will be their God and they shall be My people (2 Corinthians 6:16; and again,"I will be their God, and they will be My people (Hebrews 8:10 NKJ).
Is God's covenant relationship with us one of constant blessing, regardless of our behavior? No. Listen to what God says about our behavior: "Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at -- scorned, disdained or mocked [by mere pretensions or professions, or His precepts being set aside]. - - He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God. For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap life eternal" (Galatians 6:7,8 AMP).
Think about it!
Do you discipline your neighbor's child when they disobey? No, of course not. I don't either. The neighbor's children do not belong to us, and we do not love them as we love our own. This is why you and I do not discipline them. God disciplines those He loves, those who belong to Him.
"For the Lord corrects and disciplines every one whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes" (Hebrews 12:6 amp). This is one of the ways we know we belong to the Lord Jesus.
How should we view blessings and curses?
1. Nothing happens apart from the will of God, even though it may be an enemy that delivers the blow (Ephesians 1:11).
2. The design of trouble is to bring us to fear God, causing us to pray and depend on Him (Psalm 86:7).
3. Curses sets us apart. They bring us to a crossroad. Their effect is never neutral. We are either injured or improved. We either benefit from our curses or we become worse. Job had the right idea when he said: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him,"(Job 13:15 NAS).
4. Prayer soothes and comforts us. It is a blessing to have an understanding friend; however, it is of greater benefit knowing we have an understanding God. If we are willing to obey we will rest in His healing balm and find comfort for our souls. We will find the same satisfaction an infant finds sleeping on it's mother's breast (Matthew 11:28-30).
5. Prayer is the means by which God delivers us from curses. This deliverance isn’t ours automatically. God has ordained that we should ask, seek and knock on the door of heaven until God’s will and our wills become one (Luke 11:9).
What is the non-Christian and the Christian's concern regarding God's blessing and cursing?
The non-Christian's concern is to rail against God and escape His curses. The Christian's concern is to seek the reason for the curses, repent and turn from specific sins that brought the curses about. The non-Christian sees God as an oppressor and is tormented by curses. The Christian sees God as a loving covenant-keeping God and is blessed, and wants more than anything to glorify Him.