Blessings and Curses
Posted by Dion Todd March 21st, 2024 2,518 Views 0 Comments
I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his children begging for bread. All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed. Psalms 37:25'26 WEB.
Today is the tomorrow you were so worried about yesterday, and it is not as bad as you thought. Many times throughout my life, I have been worried about what was coming. But when the problem arrived, so did God.
An unexpected expense comes, then a new way to pay it, all in God's perfect timing. Year after year, He has proven to me that you can trust Him. His help never comes early but appears at the appropriate time. I often find that times of lack are when God is trying to guide me into something new or get my attention.
God's help arrives on time, and yes, He does care for us. God loves every one of us unconditionally. But if you want to walk in the goodness of God, then love Him back unconditionally. Salvation is a free gift because we could never obtain it on our own. But the blessings of God have always been dependent on our behavior.
Yes, I know that many may have a problem with this. Many would have you believe that you can walk in the fullness of God's blessings while living like you do not even know Him, but scripture leads me to think otherwise. Our Heavenly Father is not Santa Claus, but even Santa has his naughty and nice list. Consider these scriptures:
"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you shall listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I command you this day; and the curse, if you shall not listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God" (Deuteronomy 11:26).
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you" (Exodus 20:12).
"Also delight yourself in Yahweh, And He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalms 37:4).
"If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1:19).
"Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:31).
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38).
Obedience to God's word is imperative to receive His blessings. In each of these scriptures, we have a choice to make that determines what will happen in our life. Jesus did bear our sins on the cross, but we must take up our own cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). We still have an active part in this, and if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land. Who will eat the good of the land? Those who are willing and obedient.
Summary: If we do not live by His word, we will not live under His blessing (Haggai 1:9). The prodigal son left his Father's house, went out on his own, and nearly starved to death (Luke 15:17).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for all that You have blessed me with. Please teach me Your word and give me the grace to live it daily. I want to be obedient and to eat the good of the land. Teach me how and show me what I need to change in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress
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