"Forfeited Blessings" March 7 Readings: Numbers 25-26, Mark 9:30–50, Psalm 33:1–10, Proverbs 8:6-7

Today's Readings - Numbers 25-26, Mark 9:30–50, Psalm 33:1–10, Proverbs 8:6-7

Devotional - Forfeited Blessings

Though Balaam is not mentioned in Numbers 25, this sad story is the final act of his strange ministry. We learn from other Scriptures what is not mentioned in this passage, that this sinful episode was actually the idea of the prophet. He tried repeatedly to bring a curse on Israel but each time the curse became a blessing and Barak, the king of Moab was increasingly frustrated. He had paid good money to get Balaam to curse Israel and he expected results. Balaam failed in his duties and was facing the prospect of not getting paid.

We learn in Numbers 31:16 the rest of the story. Balaam, determined to leave with coins in his pocket, figured out another strategy. He could not curse the Israelites but he could entice them to sin in such a way that God would bring on them the destruction that he had not been able to accomplish. That is precisely what happened.

The Moabites paraded their prettiest young woman in front of the Israelite men and they responded with lust instead of righteousness. They committed adultery with the Moabite women in direct violation of the commands of God's law. And they demonstrated the reason that God had given that command. As soon as they began to fraternize with the pagan women they were seduced into idolatry. Israel ignored God's commands, violated God's law, committed adultery with the Moabite women and began to worship Baal of Peor.

Balaam could not curse the people of God and take away their blessings, but they could forfeit those blessings by choosing sin and rebellion.

Balaam's plan was genius and it worked. Now, the God who had turned every curse into a blessing brought down judgment on Israel himself. He did to his people what no prophet, what no pagan king, what not the Devil himself could do. He brought a plague on them and 24,000 Israelites died.

This has always been Satan's strategy. He lies to God's people in an attempt to draw us away from obedience to God. When we sin, we forfeit God's blessings on our lives and come under his discipline and correction. Satan was not able to force Adam and Eve out of the Garden, but he could seduce them to sin so that God would drive them out. He could not curse Israel, but he could entice them to sin so that God would bring the plague on them that he could not.

Satan cannot defeat the people of God, he can only induce us to defeat ourselves by tempting us to choose the sin that costs us blessing and brings God's discipline.

If I am not walking in the blessing of God, experiencing his grace, power, and presence daily, it is not Satan's fault. He cannot rob me of God's blessing. It is not the world's fault. It is not this person's fault or that circumstances fault. Nothing or no one can rob me of my joy in Christ or the daily experience of the blessing of God. No one. That comes from God! But I can forfeit that blessing (not my salvation - that is eternal - but the joyful experience of God's grace) by my own sin. By walking in the flesh, by loving this world, by ignoring God's Word and by embracing the lies of Satan I can give up what no one can take away from me.

And the shame is that like Israel we do that far too often. We give up the blessings God has for us to walk in the empty glory of sin.

Father, forgive me for my rebellious heart. I thank you that the blood of Christ has cleansed my sin. I pray that I may walk in your grace that I might experience the blessings of your presence and power day to day. May I never choose the plague of sin over the blessings of obedience. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?