Deuteronomy 28:7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
God+Nobody=Everybody. Everybody–God=Nobody. No evil force in the natural or the spiritual can stand against us when we partner with God. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below (Joshua 2:11). The hearts of the people living in the fortified fortress of Jericho melted in fear when they heard that the Israelites were camping on the banks of the River Jordan. Israelites had neither weapons nor were they a warring nation. Israelites were just delivered slaves but the God of Israel, the God of heaven and earth made the formidable giants tremble and mumble.
No wicked authority can raise their hands against us or displace us. The Lord will overturn the plots of the evil men on their heads and the chanting of the diviners will be foiled. Who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners (Isaiah 44:25a). No influential authority, boss, competitor or confronter can stunt your growth. Our enemies will be defeated and will flee in seven directions as long as the face of the Lord is shining on us. However, idolatry is a sin that makes God turn His face away from us. I will surely hide my face in that day because of all the evil that they have done, because they have turned to other gods (Deuteronomy 31:18). Idolatry is not just wooden, stone or carved images. Idolatry is anything that replaces God; it could be relationship, recreation or resources.
5th Key to turn curses into blessings:
1. Relationships: Relationships that distract and divert us from our intimacy with God become idols. For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. (1 Kings 11:4-5). The friendships that influence our thinking to believe pagan beliefs and bring in detestable compromises will turn God’s face away from us. Our relationship with God is more important than the distracting companionships.
2. Recreation: Reassess recreation. Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Entertainment will either enlighten or darken us. It is important to relax to rejuvenate but how and what we do to relax will determine our success or defeat.
3. Resources: All our resources, wealth and wisdom are from God. An avaricious desire to increase wealth and net-worth is greed. Put to death…Greed, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5b). It is important to put God above our business appointments and busy schedule.
Idolatry is the most detestable sin in the Bible that makes God hide His face. It is the radiance from His face that turns defeat into victory and curses into blessings.
Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Prayer: Almighty God, may I never go after friendships, entertainment or money that would hide your gracious face from me. You are all I want and in you I have everything I need. Amen
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