2/16/2025
When my younger son was little he used to love to stomp in mud puddles. It didn't matter where he was or what was happening, he'd find a quagmire, any bog was good for him. This was heaven to my little boy. Jumping, playing, splashing, and it made no difference how much mess he made or tracked into the house and on the floor. I can't remember if I made him clean it up himself, or if I just smiled, as I often did at his antics. You see, I always loved to play in the mud, too. I especially loved making mud pies at my Grammy's house. Either that or rolling down the hill into the pile of leaves I'd just raked up for burning. I always found a way to enjoy time spent at my grandparents' home, even if it was supposed to be work. Sometimes life's like that, the rains fall and the winds blow, but there's always a sunny day, or muddy one, if we look for it.
This has been an interesting day for me, as I have been going through some family stuff. My response to difficulties is not always what one may desire, because I try not to worry, while I am concerned. I'm learning that I can't be all things to all people, and the One I answer to in my life sets the pace. It may not seem to others as if I pray and ask God's direction for the decisions I make, but I do. Many times my obedience is not received well or is misunderstood by others. Jesus said that we are to put God first in all things, and I try with the best of my ability to do so. Many times, in my previous life, I have not successfully done so. But now, and for many years, I have diligently sought to do things His way, the Only Way. And regardless of the storms coming my way, I choose to follow God's path for my life, even if it means moving away from a place I love to return to a home I do not remember.
In my daily reading today, the children of Israel were approaching the Promised Land, as the generation who rebelled against the Lord, had died in the wilderness during those 40 years of wandering. As Israel starts to make the trek towards the final destination, they ask permission to cross the land of Edom (Esau's descendants), and they are flatly forbidden. In fact, some of Edom's men actually picked off some of Israel's stragglers. When they got to the land of Moab (descendants of Lot), they were likewise forbidden to cross. The king of Moab, Balak, had seen the strength of the people of Israel by their sheer numbers, so he tried to hire Balaam, a soothsayer, to curse them. The story of Balaam and his talking donkey are familiar to many. Balak sent his men to beseech Balaam to come to his aid against the multitude of God's people that numbered as "sands on the seashore." Balaam sought the Lord, who forbade him from going. Upon receiving Balaam's answer, Balak sent the men back to beg assistance again. This time when Balaam inquired of the Lord, God told him he could go, but He told Balaam that he could only say what He told him to say.
As Balaam sets out for Moab, astride his faithful donkey, the Lord, who is angry at Balaam for his all too joyful attitude about helping Balak, sends an angel to kill Balaam. The donkey's eyes are open, and it tries to avoid the sword bearing angel three times, being beaten by Balaam, who sees nothing. This is where the donkey's mouth is open, and Balaam's eyes are open to see the sword bearing angel. The angel instructs Balaam to continue on, but again warns him to say only what the Lord tells him to say. When Balaam arrives, he explains to the king that he is allowed only to speak as God directs him. Three times, in three different locations, Balaam is asked to curse the Israelites, but God has him speak blessings instead. Balak does not handle that well, so they are preparing to go their separate ways, when Balaam says: "Yes, I shall return now to my own people. But first, let me tell you what the Israelites are going to do to your people!" Then Balaam prophecies their destruction along with the other nations who came against God's chosen people.
God continues today to do the same for those who oppose His people. And this extends to those of us who have received Christ as our Messiah, our Savior and Lord. As part of Abraham's covenant with God, followers of Jesus Christ are also heirs to the promise of Abraham, according to scripture. Genesis 12:3 says: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." Proverbs 26:2 puts it this way: "Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause does not alight." God watches over His word to perform it, as Balak found out, and in recent days, the nations have discovered regarding God's love for His chosen people. God always vindicates a faithful follower, when someone tries to speak against or about someone. Many times, people will have opinions, or talk about things, or receive half truths, and believe the lies, then spread the gossip. I'm trying to have a thicker skin, but many times, it still hurts. Sadly, it is part of the consequences of failing to be all a child of God should be, but God forgives us. In my case, I have been forgiven much, and as I have testified many, many times, I am eternally grateful, as God chooses to use me still for His glory.
For anyone who may be reading this blog, please know that God's forgiveness extends to all who earnestly seek Him. Romans 8:31-39:
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To that I say, selah.
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