Blessings—OR—Curses: A Choice Each Person Receives
On my side-table, there lays a journal, one that has the title The Story of Us emblazoned across its cover. This journal was a gift from our daughter, an anniversary gift given to us (her parents), a place where we are offered space to record milestones, joys, events, and goals of our marriage. It’s our story of what life has been since we married in February 1986, a story only we can write. Like all stories, there are beautiful moments, complex moments, both happy and sad ones, and moments we will cherish forever. Each one shapes who we are a couple, united by marriage. This journal offers us a place to capture “our story,” The Story of Us. Since it is “our story” based on our covenant of marriage, it is worth remembering.
As God’s creation, we receive two choices.
Our present condition and our eternal destination connect directly to the choice we make while alive here on earth. These two choices were instituted in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) when the fall of man began, and in the journey to the Promised Land Moses spoke about when he was led to write about options people face (Deuteronomy 28). In studying about the LORD’S blessings and curses, the prophet Isaiah wrote these words about A BLESSING of the LORD, when speaking of the greatness of GOD.
“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
(The Book of Isaiah 40: 11 NASB)
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
Consider for a moment the glorious image of the LORD shepherding His people, tending to their needs, gathering them close in His arms, and gently leading them where they should go. As He tends His lambs, He provides for their daily needs, keeps them from wandering and going astray, and protects them from the enemy’s schemes. We compare Isaiah’s image of the shepherd to the Good Shepherd the apostle John spoke of when he was led by the Spirit to write his gospel, describing the Lord Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, man’s heart is deceitful, leading him away from the love of the LORD to pursue the lust our eyes see. If we follow that path, the one offered by the evil one, then we will find our life journey leading away from the narrow path of God’s faithful ones. When studying about the LORD’S blessings and curses, the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words about a CURSED man, when speaking about the deceitful heart, contrasted to a BLESSED man who trusts in the LORD.
“Thus says the LORD,
(The Book of Jeremiah 17: 5-8 NASB)
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.”
[BUT]
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”
- Obedience or Disobedience: We Each Receive a Choice.
- Blessings or Curses: We Have a Choice to Make.
If we disregard the LORD and His Word, if we walk our own path instead of choosing to walk in His Way, then the Bible is clear. We will face the consequences of our choices.
I am a girl who LOVES writing with Sharpie markers and recently Sharpie pens. Birthday cards, gift tags, grocery lists, work notes—Whatever needs words can be created with a Sharpie. My family likes to tease me about my Sharpie fascination. Surely, I never wish to be devoid of this useful instrument, and recently, a biblical writer challenged us to consider taking our Sharpie and penning these words across the bottoms of our shoes: Walk in His Ways.
What a beautiful image to “walk in the LORD’S Ways” with every daily step we take.
What a wonderful thought to “write the covenant Story of Us” with every day we live & every memory made. This story is long and complex, beautiful and true for it is a story of God’s Amazing Love. We write this story together (God & Us), a story that continues into eternity. We know because the Bible tells us so. Listen to the Word of God given to the apostle John by the Spirit of God.
“And I heard a voice from heaven, saying,
(The Revelation to John 14: 13 NASB)
“Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ “
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
May we who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ not grow weary in walking in the LORD’S Ways, do HIS work, for we know the harvest is coming, the gathering within the place, The Story of Us (God & Us), the covenant of loving and living.