Disobedience is never the right choice. Not for a student with a teacher. Not for a child with a parent. Not for human beings with their Creator.
“When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.” (Numbers 24:1 ESV)
Balaam had to go against his sinful desires to do what God wanted him to do. He had to turn and go the right way. We too have to daily fight against the temptations in our life and follow what pleases God.
“For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob.” (Israel 14:1 ESV)
The Lord has compassion on those of us trying to do His will daily. We often stumble. We’re far from perfect, but the Lord appreciates our effort.
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25 ESV)
He is the perfect example. He suffered all of it for us without seeking revenge or feeling sorry for Himself. He, like we, should trust ourselves to the Father and daily die to sin.
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.” (Psalm 66:16-19 ESV)
When we cry to Him with praise, not focused on hardships or bitterness because of them, He hears us and blesses us.
I will close with this blessing from the Psalmist:
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise You!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!
The earth has yielded its increase; God our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!” (Psalm 67 ESV)
Amen,
Kellie
Sixty-six books in a year 