His Good Treasure
God is the Loving Father, who uses everything at His disposal to lead people to Himself, so they can experience true life by knowing Him. He even came to earth as the God/Man, Jesus Christ, so He could communicate Himself to us in person, and He could atone for our sins by dying on the Cross. Each person has the ability to respond in faith to our Loving Lord. When a person does that God blesses them with every spiritual blessing and many physical blessings. He opens His good treasure for them.(Deuteronomy 28:12) However, for those who reject His loving advances He shuts up His good treasure, so they will see the error of their ways, and turn to Him.
Deuteronomy 26-28 is a pretty ominous passage of Scripture. Moses explains just what the Israelites are to do when they come into the Promised Land. They are to announce to all the blessings of God and the curses of God, so that no one will ever forget the importance of trusting Him in all things. The blessings are abundant. The curses are unimaginable. God means business.
When God opens His good treasure for us, we have enough for all of our needs,and we have the ability to lend to others, so they can see God's grace and turn to Him, too. Therefore, when we have to borrow money to live, it is a sign of a problem. If we can't pay our bills, God is often trying to tell us something. God blesses us to be able to do His will. He withholds from us, when we are not doing His will, so we will see our need and turn to Him.
I believe this principle applies to us, as individuals, as families, as churches, and as a country. It is how God works. Of course, the blessings and the curses include much more than just this one thing. It is not that we won't ever have to borrow for a house or a car. It is not that we will never get sick or have problems. Sometimes, God teaches us through those things. However, He does use everything to lead us, so we need to be aware of what is happening to us. Is God opening His good treasure for us, or is He shutting it up from us? That is an indication of His favor or the lack of it. We need to hear His Word and obey His laws, so we can enjoy His good treasure.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 28-31.
Deuteronomy 26-28 is a pretty ominous passage of Scripture. Moses explains just what the Israelites are to do when they come into the Promised Land. They are to announce to all the blessings of God and the curses of God, so that no one will ever forget the importance of trusting Him in all things. The blessings are abundant. The curses are unimaginable. God means business.
When God opens His good treasure for us, we have enough for all of our needs,and we have the ability to lend to others, so they can see God's grace and turn to Him, too. Therefore, when we have to borrow money to live, it is a sign of a problem. If we can't pay our bills, God is often trying to tell us something. God blesses us to be able to do His will. He withholds from us, when we are not doing His will, so we will see our need and turn to Him.
I believe this principle applies to us, as individuals, as families, as churches, and as a country. It is how God works. Of course, the blessings and the curses include much more than just this one thing. It is not that we won't ever have to borrow for a house or a car. It is not that we will never get sick or have problems. Sometimes, God teaches us through those things. However, He does use everything to lead us, so we need to be aware of what is happening to us. Is God opening His good treasure for us, or is He shutting it up from us? That is an indication of His favor or the lack of it. We need to hear His Word and obey His laws, so we can enjoy His good treasure.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 28-31.