LET GOD BLESS YOU

GOD WANTS TO BLESS YOU

One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'"

Isn’t that good news today, God wants to bless us! He has always desired to bless us. Can I present as evidence the children of Israel today. They were traveling through the wilderness trying to get to land that God had promised to bless them with. They would have already been possession of it had they been faithful and obedient to God’s command, but here there were, 40 years later, still wandering. The good news about the God we serve is that even though they often failed to do their part; he never stopped wanting to blessing them.

As we arrive at Chapter 23 of the book of Numbers, we discover that things are looking better for them. They have just recently defeated two major enemies: King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. Both of these were giant men and formidable foes. Now, Moses and Isreal are camped in the territory of Moab and Balak, King of Moab, is scared to death that he is next on the hit list. He concocts an idea in his head that he would send to Midian for a diviner named Balaam to come and curse the people of God.

Balaam is reluctant to go at first and does what we all should learn to do before making decisions: he prays. The Lord tells him not go, he obeys. But, Balak will not be denied, he needs Balaam to come and put the woo-joo on these people before they launch their assault and wipe he and his people out. I wish I had time to tell the story about how he sent his people back to Balaam and upped the ante, and how Balaam misheard God saying it was alright to go when he had already say do not go. And how his donkey spoke up and said, “why you beating me and I’m trying to save your life ?” But time won’t allow me.

And so Balaam arrives to Balak has summoned him, to curse the people of God. What’s interesting is that Balaam brings a disclaimer with him: he tell Balak, that he can only say what the Lord tells him to say. And so on the first time he tried, God said “They are blessed!” He tried a second time and God said, “They are blessed!” And finally, he tried a third time BUT God said “FAVOR!” Balak was terribly upset and said to Balaam the words in text: See Numbers 24:10

Numbers 24:10 NASB95

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!

Can I tell you all something today?

GOD IS STILL IN THE BLESSING BUSINESS

He is still defeating our enemies and leading us into victory

He is still providing for us and meeting our needs

He is still carrying us through the hard times in our lives

He is still wiping our tears and mending our broken hearts

Will somebody please help me say that the Lord is still in the blessing business and He is blessing me right now.

BEWARE OF BLESSING BLOCKERS

Just as the Lord was blessing the People of Israel in the text and they encountered those who wanted to block their blessings, so must we will face blessing blockers as well. Since Balaam tried three times…let me suggest three potential blessing blockers.

The Devil

Is a liar who only comes to:

SEE JOHN 10:10

John 10:10 NASB95

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

kill

steal

destroy

The World

an organized power system that is diametrically opposed to the kingdom of God

We must not conform to it - See Rom 12:2

Romans 12:2 NASB95

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

We must be friends with it - See 1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15–17 NASB95

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching This World Is Not My Home

For years the late Charles E. Fuller conducted “The Old-Fashioned Revival Hour” on radio. One of the favorite selections of the revival hour quartet was “This World Is Not My Home.” Yes, Christians are in the world, but they are not of the world. The Word of God describes the believer in Christ as a pilgrim, a stranger, a traveler. The Christian in this life does experience “a foretaste of glory divine,” but the ultimate glory awaits him. He longs for the “city whose Builder and Maker is God.” And he yearns to behold Jesus face to face.

The Flesh

I know that we don’t hear much about this culprit these days, but the flesh will block your blessings. What exactly is the flesh? It’s definitions are many and varied but the Tyndale Bible dictionary clarifies it for us

Flesh as Sinful Humanity

There remains a group of ethical references that are distinctly Pauline. The most important feature of this usage is that man is seen not only as fallen and weak before God, but as fallen and sinful. Flesh is contrasted with human spirit regenerated by the divine Spirit, and without the aid of the Spirit, one cannot please God. The most vivid passage is the first part of Romans 8, where Paul sharply contrasts those who are “in the flesh” with those who are “in the Spirit.” To be “in the Spirit” in this sense does not mean to be in a state of ecstasy but to be living one’s life in that spiritual realm that is controlled by the Spirit of God. Those who are “in the flesh,” that is, unregenerate, cannot please God. There are two contrasting and mutually exclusive realms: Bible dictionary“in the flesh” and “in the Spirit.” To be “in the Spirit” means to be indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit, that is, to be a regenerate person.

Can I press the issue a little bit??

Tyndale Bible Dictionary Flesh

Works of the Flesh In Galatians 5:19–23 Paul contrasts the life in the flesh and the life in the Spirit: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like” (Gal 5:19–21, KJV). The important thing to note about this list is that while some of these are sins of bodily and sexual appetite, others are religious sins—idolatry, witchcraft—and several are sins “of the spirit,” that is, of the disposition—hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife. The words “seditions” and “heresies” refer not to theological heresies but to a factious, divisive spirit. This proves conclusively that for Paul the “flesh” is not synonymous with the body but includes the whole person, with all the inner attitudes and disposition.

BLESSINGS BEGIN WITH BELIEVING

As we peek back at the text today, I want you to understand that all the while that Balak was hating and Balaam was trying to curse them; Israel was at peace in God. And I want suggest to somebody listening to me today that your blessings begin with believing in God.

Believe in Jesus - See John 1:11-12

John 1:11–12 NASB95

He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Surrender your life into his hands

Christianity Today, 2010, Volume 54, Numbers 1–12 Bits & Pieces: Excerpts from Recent Books

Charles Blondin was a world-renowned tightrope artist and acrobat. On June 30, 1859, before a stunned crowd of 100,000 excited onlookers, Blondin was the first person to cross Niagara Falls by tightrope. He crossed 1,100 feet on a single three-inch hemp cord, strung from 160 feet above the falls on one side to a spot 270 feet above the falls on the other. The breathless assembly watched him accomplish, step by slow step, a feat most believed impossible.

But Blondin was just getting started. In the years to come, the daring entertainer crossed again and again: on stilts, in a sack, even pushing a wheelbarrow! The story goes that an exuberant onlooker called out, “You could cross with a man in that wheelbarrow!” Blondin agreed and invited the man to climb in. The spectator nervously declined.

Why won’t you trust God today and let him bless you

God will do it - He’ll pick you up when you fall down

God will do it - He will turn your frown upside down

God will do it - He will shelter you in his arms

God will do it, he will bless you…if you let Him

LET GOD BLESS YOU BY

Trust in Him

Believe in his word

Obey Him

Get out of his way

Let him do it

Far more abundantly beyond!

Say yes!