“God turned the curse into a blessing for you.” Deuteronomy 23:5 NKJV
“Where God speaks His blessing and favor, no other can contradict or change it.”
My thoughts today are about “blessings in disguise.”
Things are not always as they appear to be. I have observed that some things that first seem good don’t always turn out to be as good as you thought, and thankfully, everything happening that you might view as bad could ultimately be better than you expect. What may appear as good fortune may involve more pain or hurt than you envision; at other times a circumstance that initially seems a disaster may become a blessing in disguise. Consider Joseph’s personal testimony a lifetime after his dreams became his nightmare, “But as for you, you meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good . . “ Genesis 50:20 NIV. He saw the worst that could happen to him as a blessing in disguise. God’s involvement in your life will make that difference!
The Bible shares the interesting story of a prophet, Balaam, who is bribed to pronounce a curse upon Israel, but every time he tries to do so, he finds himself pronouncing blessings instead. Read Numbers 22-24. Years later, Moses, then again Joshua, and finally Nehemiah and Micah remind later generations of that particular moment in Israel’s history, “Moab hired against you Balaam . . to curse you. Nevertheless the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because God loves you . . therefore Balaam continued to bless you.” See Deuteronomy 23:5 NKJV/ Joshua 24:8-10/ Nehemiah 13:1-2/ Micah 6:5.
Those multiple references to this one historical occurrence just might say something of its significance as regards God’s character and conduct toward those he loves. Would God do any less for you? God’s reversal of others’ intention happens much more than you might have thought. I think God enjoys doing that for those He loves. You are one of those people.
When you feel discouraged with things as you presently see them, take time to recall the moments in your history when God spoke blessing over you. Living confidently everyday, and in every circumstance good or bad, involves a strong, inner conviction that others cannot speak an adverse opinion over your life that will contradict God’s good intentions for you. See Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. If others speak ill of you or seem to plot trouble for your future, firmly remember that only God has the authority to proclaim what your opportunities tomorrow will be. Where God speaks His blessing and favor, no other can contradict or change it. You can be assured, “Like . . a darting swallow, an unfair curse will not land on its intended victim.” Proverbs 26:2 NLT.
My practical mind seeks to know how I can live in a way that God can and would take the worst that happens and turn it for my good. The Bible says, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 NIV. Pleasing to the Lord; that’s what I want to be. You must choose to live “pleasing to the Lord,” if you would see blessings in disguise. See Romans 8:28-31 NIV. Any person upon whom God pronounces His blessing and favor will be blessed no matter the harmful intent or hurtful attempts of others.
My prayer for you today is that your life will resound with Heaven’s benediction.