Nehemiah 13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them… Nehemiah sees God at work in this transformation, and openly, gladly, gratefully acknowledge that the transformation of the curse was not the work of human good-will or of human genius, but a direct operation of the Divine almightiness itself. We lose so much by not seeing God immediately. Why do we allow God to go so far sway from our consciousness and appreciation and love? Why do we not cry for Him, and bid Him come to us, and give Him no rest until He draws near? This is the true religion; this is the noble piety. I. TO BE CURSED OF MAN IS REALLY NO PROOF OF GOD'S DISAPPROBATION. II. HE OUGHT TO BE A VERY GREAT MAN, AND A VERY PURE, LOFTY, AND GODLY SOUL, WHO UNDER TAKES TO CURSE ANYBODY ELSE. III. TO BE BLESSED OF MAN IS NO PROOF OF GOD'S FAVOUR IV. THE VANITY OF TRUSTING IN ANYTHING WHICH CAN BE TURNED INTO A CURSE. Application of these truths to your personal experience : 1. The frowns of society. 2. Wronged in business. 3. The seeming opposition of nature, God is willing and able to turn all curses into blessings.But the blessing will not be given without action on our part. Art thou suffering? Go to thy knees; tell God thy sin; then the film shall be taken from thine eyes — thou shall see the great, mighty, redeeming Cross of Christ, and He shall say, "Thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee" The curse will be turned into a blessing, and thou shalt be the better for the abasement. (Joseph Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. |
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