The Error of Balaam 4 -Error of Wrong Battles

2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. 4 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw,[a] to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me.6 Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”-Numbers 22:2-6 ESV English Standard Version

Balaam following his involvement and association with Balak and the elders of Midian was invited  to curse  the Israelites under the premonition that they would be the next victims of the enviable conquest of the Israelites(Numbers 22:2-6). This assumption was wrong as God had already given the Israelites an instruction not to engage in battle with the Moabites. He told them categorically that he would not give them the land of the  Moabites because they were their relatives (Deut 2:9).

 It is worth noting that God has respect for our families, our relatives, people who in his own wisdom he orchestrated we  invariably share our lives with. True Christianity has a  healthy respect for the family and even the Apostle Paul says if  we do not take care of our family, we have denied our faith( 1 Timothy 5:8).When  we practice a Christianity that does not identify with our relatives by  choosing to ignore some of  their needs under the pretext of  meeting those of our church, then we are far from the model the Bible clearly shows .This practice was condemned by Jesus as he opposed the Pharisees (Matthew 15:3-8). Instead of engaging in needless battles and  branding our relatives  "witches" while ignoring the real enemy (Ephesians 6:12), there may be a need to check that our  hearts are rid  of jealousy or even malice which may have come from  unresolved issues,incomplete information and dismally, gossip.Involvement in wrong battles leads to a dissipation of energy  in the wrong direction and a waste of resources, time and sadly, damaged relationships. 

 Although  it was a wrong battle,much can be learnt from the Midianites in their approach.They engaged the highest form of warfare by seeking to tackle the battle  spiritually. Acknowledging the power of words(Proverbs 18:21) they hired  Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Balaam's error of wrong company led to the error of wrong battles.We have not been called to fight every battle and sometimes we may need to step aside and allow our loved ones face some battles themselves  so they can learn invaluable lessons.

Battles are an everyday reality and it is pertinent that we engage rightly and with the right weapons. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God is the only offensive weapon  of the Christian soldier (Ephesians 6:17). Different battles will require different strategies which we  should actively pursue under the wisdom and direction of God  (1 Samuel 23:2).The greatest battle  which occurs daily  is the battle of the mind (2 Corinthians 10:5) and we win this battle by speaking out the Word of God. However,our involvement  in any external battle should done with caution ,courage with detailed  and current information

In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer

Error of Balaam

Error of Balaam

The Error of Balaam-Error of Wrong Battles

Balaam following his involvement and association with Balak and the elders of Midian was invited  to curse  the Israelites under the premonition that they would be the next victims of the enviable conquest of the Israelites(Numbers 22:2-6). This assumption was wrong as God had already given the Israelites an instruction not to engage in battle with the Moabites. He told them categorically that he would not give them the land of the Moabites because they were their relatives (Deut 2:9).

It is worth noting that God has respect for our families, our relatives, people who in his own wisdom he orchestrated we  invariably share our lives with. True Christianity has a  healthy respect for the family and even the Apostle Paul says if  we do not take care of our family, we have denied our faith( 1 Timothy 5:8).When  we practice a Christianity that does not identify with our relatives by  choosing to ignore some of  their needs under the pretext of  meeting those of our church, then we are far from the model the Bible clearly shows .This practice was condemned by Jesus as he opposed the Pharisees (Matthew 15:3-8). Instead of engaging in needless battles and  branding our relatives  "witches" while ignoring the real enemy (Ephesians 6:12), there may be a need to check that our  hearts are rid  of jealousy or even malice which may have come from  unresolved issues,incomplete information and dismally, gossip.Involvement in wrong battles leads to a dissipation of energy  in the wrong direction and a waste of resources, time and sadly, damaged relationships. 

 Although  it was a wrong battle,much can be learnt from the Midianites in their approach.They engaged the highest form of warfare by seeking to tackle the battle  spiritually. Acknowledging the power of words(Proverbs 18:21) they hired  Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Balaam's error of wrong company led to the error of wrong battles.We have not been called to fight every battle and sometimes we may need to step aside and allow our loved ones face some battles themselves  so they can learn invaluable lessons.

Battles are an everyday reality and it is pertinent that we engage rightly and with the right weapons. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God is the only offensive weapon  of the Christian soldier (Ephesians 6:17). Different battles will require different strategies which we  should actively pursue under the wisdom and direction of God  (1 Samuel 23:2).The greatest battle  which occurs daily  is the battle of the mind (2 Corinthians 10:5) and we win this battle by speaking out the Word of God. However,our involvement  in any external battle should done with caution ,courage with detailed  and current information

In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer

Happy New Year

The three words "Happy New Year"will be used more frequently in our vocabulary in the next few days and will gradually wane by the end of the month. This can easily   be attributed to the fact that by then the excitement of the word “new” may no longer be applicable and things may have steadily  returned  to status quo.

But I am quite glad that although the word “new” may not be applicable to the year after some months, there is something that we can count on that will be new every day; God’s mercy (Lamentations 3:23). It will never grow  stale neither will it expire as , there is a daily  manufacture of it. No matter how much we use the day before, there will always  be a new  and  fresh supply the  following day  and this is ample reason for  rejoicing. We can hope  and  trust in the mercy of the Lord ( Psalms 52 8 ) as it is good and does us good.  

God is the source and  Father of mercies  (2 Corinthians 1:3), he is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2 4), his mercy being abundant  (1 Peter 1 3), is great towards those who fear him(Psalms 103:11)  and the joker is that  he  delights in showing mercy(Micah 7:18).It is in God’s DNA to be merciful. This mercy of God can surround us (Palms 32 10), be a crown on our heads( Palms 108 :4) and even be our special personal  escort with its twin goodness(Psalms 23 6).No wonder, the Psalmist rejoiced at God’s mercy and when given at option to choose his punishment, decided to fall into the hand of the Lord because he understood the mercy of God (2 Samuel 24:14).

 

As a result of his mercy, we receive salvation( Ephesians 2:4-6,1 Peter 1:3) and as we continue in our walk, our failures  and sins are forgiven( Psalms 51:1) yes of course we need to confess them (1 John 1:9).It is his mercy that enables us to walk in the fear of the Lord. Our families are saved as a result of  his  increased   mercy (Genesis 19:19 ),this mercy is an insurance  policy for our children and grandchildren  (Luke 1 50).As an outflow of mercy, marital destines are fulfilled and partners are located(Genesis 34:1-25).Barren wombs bear children in remembrance of God’s mercy and visitation (Luke 1:10-24,Genesis 30:2).God’s mercy is available  to help us (Psalms 30:10)when we are sad (Psalms 31:9) , desolate ( Psalms 28:16), in trouble ( Psalms 9:13 ) and  brings healing , causing  blind eyes to be opened ( Luke 18:38), mental illness to be cured (Matthew 17:15-18). His mercy will make men and even our bosses to favour us Genesis 39:21). Celebration and rejoicing occurs  at our gates because of the mercy of the Lord( Luke 1:58 ).Truth be told, all our prayers are answered because of the mercy of God ( Psalms 4:1 ).But how can we access this mercy?

All we need to do is to come boldly to Gods throne and obtain this mercy (Hebrews 4:16) and the Living Bible puts it well by saying ”so let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need”.God does not only delight in showing mercy but he delights in those who hope in his mercy(Psalms 147: 10,11 ).

So this year I wish that more than ever we, being vessels of his mercy (Romans 9:24) all live under the reality of the new mercies of God daily with thanksgiving (2 Chronicles 16:34). Happy New Year and remember every day is new with his mercies.

         

In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer.

The Ultimate Gift

The Error of Balaam 3- Error of Wrong Company

7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

8 “Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.” So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

9 God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”Numbers 22:7-9

So  the delegation  from Midian and Moab armed with the fee set off on the  long arduous journey of over 400 miles  to meet Balaam (Numbers 22:7).After a minimum of twenty one days, they arrived safely in Balaam’s house where the typical  oriental hospitality would have been shown and  faithfully stated their mission. They retired that night with a promise from Balaam that he would consult  God about the matter (Numbers 22:8).

Balaam’s statement of faith is worthy of emulation(Hebrews 11:6). He was so sure God would speak to him( Numbers 22:8) . He had an altar that challenges us as Christians today when we watch the dialogue and not a monologue that ensued between  Balaam and God(Numbers 22:9-12).This kind of relationship is both  our right and privilege as his children (John 10:27; Jeremiah 33:3) True to his expectation, that very night, God asked Balaam “Who are these men with you”?(Numbers 22:9).

  It is important to note that God asks the question “who” and not “why”. It is not for a lack of knowledge that God asks Balaam this question, rather it was needful for Balaam  to come to a realization of the full implications of the “who” in his life .Balaam replied answering God’s question of who  and  went further to answer “why” to justify the “who”, which is the usual human tendency and a common error we make.

 But  God is concerned about "who" because he knows the influence of our “who”(1 Corinthians 15:33).This is because our “who” will greatly influence and be a cause of “why”. Who are those men with you because the men with you are a prophecy of who and what you are going to become (Proverbs 12:26; Proverbs 27:17&Proverbs 13:20).

 This “who” association is all embracing and needs not to be confined to people or the physical plane alone. Intellectually who are we rubbing minds with? It boils down to the blogs, magazines  we read or even the TV programmes we watch or the sites we visit on the internet (Romans 12 :2). Are we like the Psalmists who  said he refuses to take a second look at corrupting people and degrading things( Psalms 101:3).Even those we follow on Twitter or other Social Media should be mirrored against the standard of God’s word(2 Timothy 2:19).

 Balaam’s first error of the wrong company is one that we sometimes are guilty of and need to keep a check on regularly (Romans 12:2). Any company or counsel that is not helping us become more like Christ and fulfil destiny should be avoided (Psalms 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 5:11).There is no time we will ever grow beyond the influence of the people we surround ourselves with (Proverbs 22:24-25). Hence the need for us to rightfully select those we allow to become close to us or whose influence we come under (Psalms 101:5-6; Philippians 4:8).

In his Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer