MIXED BLESSING (3)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*MIXED BLESSING (3)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Numb 11-13

*And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.*

*And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?*

*And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

There are some of God's blessings that result in judgment ref 1 Sam 15:11.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

We began to look at the events that unfolded at Meribah in Numb 20, when Moses, instead of speaking to the rock, struck it. We looked at some mysteries about God and His blessings.

We identified two sides of God.

First, the blessing of the Lord may come with His anger.

Second, while God wishes to bless, we can turn His blessings into our destruction.

Today, we will continue to look at the second stance that while God wishes to bless, we can turn His blessings into our destruction.

We will look at the writings of Agur in Prov 30.

Agur says in Prov 30: 7-9

*Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:*

*Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:*

*Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.*

God knows what is best for us.

The writing of Agur teaches us that it is best to ask God for what we can handle so as not to turn His blessings against Him or turn His blessings to our destruction.

Jesus tells us in John 14:13 and John 15:7,

that when we abide in Him, which means the fear of Him is in us, He says we can ask for anything in His name, and it will be done for us.

Jesus implies here that anyone who abides in Him would only ask for what would glorify Him. If whatever you ask glorifies Christ, you will have answers to your request.

The same thing Agur teaches us here, and this is that we must have an understanding that what we ask is for the glory of God and not for selfish reasons.

God gives us according to our several abilities, Matt 25:15. Based on these, Agur is teaching us not to overdo it. When God blesses you, balance wisdom with His blessings.

If you are asking to be blessed with riches, are you asking these to satisfy God's glory? If you know too much success would make you arrogant, why ask for it? Ref 2 Chron 26:16.

If what you choose to do would bring you success, is it for God's glory?

Agur teaches us that there is a strong probability that we always know why we are asking God for what we want, and our intentions and motives are clear. Given this, he teaches that we ask with good intentions and motives.

When God asks us what we want, He is telling us He is willing to answer prayers that are aligned with God's will, Mark 10:51-52.

In Mark 10:35-45, James and John asked for positions of power, but Jesus rebuked them, highlighting that their request was not aligned with God's will. 

Truly God knows our frame, Ps 103:14, but Agur teaches us that God has given us the power to ask Him what we know we can handle.

He teaches us that we can ask God for a modest life. Just something sufficient from the Lord if excess of it would make us sin against God.

He teaches us that it is good to point our thoughts to God.

He teaches us that his request of pointing his thoughts to God is a way of expressing that he has not considered himself wiser than he considered God’s words which are completely true for Him (verses 2–4, 5-6).

His request is an observation that many people see themselves as better than they really are (verses 11–14) and thus ask God for what they can not really handle.

Agur was a man who did not want God's blessings upon his life to turn to destruction.

If we do not want God's blessings to turn to our destruction, we must remember that we can not be wiser or faster than God.

We must understand the difference between success and good success, ref Joshua 1:8.

We must understand the difference between the temptation of pride and self-reliance.

We must understand the importance of contentment and reliance on God. 

The blessings of God in your life should never dishonour God.

Agur teaches that modesty is the reasonable and wise use of God's blessings. Over-indulgence and immoderation of God's blessings will turn to one's destruction.

Be modest, or you will abuse His blessings in your life.

*Remorse corner.*

Not everything we want is God's desire for us.

God promises to answer our prayers, but it is important that our motives are right with Him.

*Call to Word action.*

Balance between walking in integrity and fulfilling status, ego, and vision.

Prov 28:6 *Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

God gives out His generosity, not out of your ingenuity or smartness.

Keep out from the temptations of the love for excess and the discontentment for little.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me. Do not give me blessings that I will turn to your judgment in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.