Blessing or Curse

If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God
that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them,
the Lord will make you the head and not the tail,
and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.
~ Deuteronomy 28:13 NLT

Our words matter. The words we listen to have the power to change us.  The Bible says they have the power to bless or curse us. It’s time for us to remember that truth as we daily experience the tsunami of words coming at us. Those words have the power to steal our peace, give us false identities and destroy our destinies. They are the very “flaming arrows” that the apostle Paul warns us of in Ephesians 6:13.

Most of us have just spent time together with family, and are recalling old words spoken over or to us. Words spoken by parents or others who have authority can bless and strengthen us or curse and throw a dark shadow over our lives. We can just accept them.  But the Bible teaches that we have the responsibility as God’s adopted children, ones given new identities in Christ, to examine those old words, and either confirm them in God’s Word or refuse and reject them and the control they have had over us. If you want to learn more about God’s blessings and curses, I suggest you read Deuteronomy 28.

Let’s recommit this summer to listen to God, to what he says about us and what the Lord is asking us to do, and prepare to receive his blessings as we obey him.  Let’s not just listen, but respond in obedient love.  I love what Jesus promises in John 14:21, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” Jesus is promising intimacy with each of us as we listen and obey.

We are made in the image and likeness of God.  God spoke all that is into being by the power of his Word.  Let’s choose to believe that our words have the power to bless or curse ourselves and others, and especially those we love.  Let’s choose to escape the cacophony of noise and run to Jesus and the peace and silence that will grow and strengthen us.  Let’s pray together, “Lord Jesus, your Kingdom come.  Your will be done,” and be surrounded by his shield of blessing and favor.

 Dear friends, be blessed as you pray with me: “Lord, we stand with you and proclaim everything you say about us is true, and anything that contradicts your Word is a lie. Give us discernment in what we hear and the desire to obey you in every area of our lives.  Lord, we choose to receive your love and blessings. Amen.”

Mary Sumner ~ July 4, 2023