Tuesday, May 26, 2009

SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

Numbers 23:21-23

The nation of Israel passed through the wilderness until they came to the border of Moab. There were so many of them that they could not be numbered. Balak had seen the victories God had given to Israel against the Amorites and Bashan. He was terrified so he called upon Balaam, a man of God, to come to Moab and put a curse on Israel. He believed that if Balaam would curse Israel then perhaps he would have a chance to defeat them. At first God would not allow Balaam to go to Balak. After Balak sent a second group to call upon Balaam, God allowed him to go.

Balaam had Balak build seven altars and on those altars they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. Balaam went aside to hear the voice of the Lord and when he returned he gave the message to Balak. It was a blessing. So Balak took Balaam to another place where the altars were built and the bulls and rams were sacrificed. This second oracle is recorded in Numbers 23. In verses 21-23 Balaam said, No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. There is no sorcery against Jacob, no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, “See what God has done!”

“See what God has done!” THAT is what it is all about. May it be said of all of us, “See what God has done!” May it be said of our churches, “See what God has done!” May it be said of our marriages and our children, “See what God has done!” May it be said of our ministries, “See what God has done!”

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Far too often pastors and churches forget that what they are about is glorifying God! It is much too easy to become wrapped up in our programs and our church growth and forget that it is all about the glory of God! It’s not about building a mega-church and making a big name for yourself. It’s about making God’s name bigger and bigger.

My prayer is that it may be said that no misfortune is seen in New Hope Church. No misery. That the LORD their God is with them. That they have the strength of a wild ox. That no evil can stand against them. May it simply be said, “See what God has done!”

7 Comments:

At 3:59 AM, Blogger Brenda said...

You can see what God has done at New Hope in the calling of the Moorheads all the way from Michigan and the growth of the church. Now you're getting ready to move into your own building. "See what God has done!"

 
At 11:05 AM, Blogger Craver Vii said...

I'll say an amen to your prayer!

Baalam is an enigma to me. He seemed righteous at the start. It is not totally clear to me how he messed up, except for God's judgment.

 
At 11:06 AM, Blogger Craver Vii said...

Ha! I misspelled Balaam, didn't I? Oops.

 
At 9:00 PM, Blogger Shiloh Guy said...

Brenda,

Thanks for the reminder! We've ALREADY seen God do so many amazing things here in Shafter! We can already point to the fruit he's produced and say "See what God has done!"

 
At 9:47 PM, Blogger Shiloh Guy said...

Craver!

Balaam is an enigma to me too! He's one of those "not of the people of God people of God!" Like Job? Like Melchisedek? The events of his life are interesting but who he was and where he came from are really fascinating! Thanks for the "amen" to my prayer!

 
At 12:50 PM, Blogger Anne of The House said...

Yah...what's the deal with Baalam??
Like Craver Vii, I wonder, what did he do to mess up??

 
At 10:43 PM, Blogger Shiloh Guy said...

Anne,

You and Craver are both Bolingbrook people. You guys should talk and get this thing figured out. Then let me know!

 

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