Turning Curses Into Blessings
Onthat day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people;and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite shouldnot come into the congregation of God for ever; Becausethey met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, buthired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our Godturned the curse into a blessing. - Nehemiah 13:1-2
Are there any sweeter words than that last phrase in verse two? Howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Wow! Once again, my mind is drawn to the story of Joseph where he told his brothers, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." Doesn't that just bless your soul? To know that what Satan means for evil, God can turn into good. What the world means as a curse, God can turn into a blessing. Any trial. Any trouble. Any tribulation. It doesn't matter. God is in control of it all, and somehow, some way, He will turn those curses into blessings.
I'm reminded of an old gospel song that says, "God will make this trial a blessing though it sends me to my knees. Though my tears flow like a river, yet in Him there's sweet relief. There's no need to get discouraged. There's no need to talk defeat. God will make this trial a blessing and the whole wide world will see." Perhaps Nehemiah 13:2 was the basis for this song, or perhaps the songwriter had seen the truth of it in his own life. Who knows?
What I do know is that this phrase reminds us that God is sovereign, and everything in life that happens to us must first pass through His hands. Knowing that, we can now face our trials with a refreshing new attitude. Instead of being discouraged and wondering when the trial will end, we can be excited, looking forward to how God will turn our curse into a blessing. Our trials give us a very real opportunity to see God move in our lives. Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that what we long for?
Whatever you may be facing today, don't give up or give in. God's isn't through with your situation yet. Hang in there. This same God that turned water into wine can turn those curses into blessings. . . and no powers of hell can stop Him!