Like Judas, Balaam’s covetousness led him down the path of no return. Even after returning home, discontent filled his heart on the riches he could have gained, hadn’t God controlled his speech. He was bent on having the riches he so desires – even if it meant going against God’s will. You see friend, when we are bent on sinning, God will step aside and allow you to do as you please. The Spirit of God does not always strive with man. To his own eternal loss, Balaam, once a prophet of God, is forever loss to the riches of eternity. Don’t be like Balaam or Judas. Beware of covetousness!

I now fully understand that in this sinful life, I will need my glasses to face my world. With God’s help I will wear them faithfully. But I do look forward to that day when my eyes will beam over many miles. The clarity of my vision now when compared to my vision then will seem as if I am now seeing through a dark glass. I can’t wait! No more glasses! I will be able to see, a billion times much clearer then.

Like Jesus, the temptations we face are summarized in three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Which is your stronger category? Where do you fall down the most? It’s time to assess your situation and ask God for strength and the commitment to seek the way of escape. Living with sin is not a dream; neither is it a ‘dry run’. It is reality! Let us look for the escape route and take it.

You can be assured that no Satan, no sorcerer or king or anyone can curse God’s people who are under His divine protection. The same protection afforded Israel is available for spiritual Israel today. No covetousness or greed can stop your blessing. As they hate and covet, we need to trust and obey God and our haters can only look and observe, and like Balaam proclaim, “What hath God wrought!”

You may be facing tough decision about your life, about your future. You may feel that all sides are closing in on you. Rest assured. All isn’t lost. All hope isn’t gone. Pray and fast and wait on God. The promise wasn’t just for Esther and Mordecai. It’s for us too and to our children, and our children’s children. “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Don’t run before Him or take things into your own hands. Let God handle it for you. You only need to pray and fast and wait.

God was there when Jesus was being nailed to the cross. He was there when Stephen was stoned to death. He was there when so many of His children suffered for their faith. He delivered them all – in different ways. God sees everything and He’ll work it out for your good. Just continue in the faith. Don’t allow your temporary troubles to rob you of your eternal peace. Do not give up on God. Soon we’ll be done with the troubles of this world. We are going to meet our God.

Elijah called his fellow countrymen to take a stand. He knew very well that you are either for or against. You cannot be on both sides. Just like Joshua’s call to his people: “If God be God then serve Him”, Elijah asked for a decision – for or against. He said, “If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” My question to you this day is similar. Whom do you worship? What guides your belief system? Is it the God of Heaven or someone else? Make up your mind.

Let us rebuild our family altars. In the morning when we rise, let our praise ascend heavenward in thanksgiving to our God. Let us keep Him with us throughout the day. And in the evening, let us turn off our electronics in favor of spending quality time, in thanksgiving to our God. When we spend time to call on God, He promised to hear and to answer. Needless to say, He delights to spend time with us. Let’s do the wise thing – repair the Lord’s altar.

Being obedient and keeping God’s law isn’t a prerequisite for salvation. Only God’s grace can cleanse us from our sins. Nevertheless, obedience to God’s law is still required to show our love response to Him. We should be very careful that we do not equate our efforts at being obedient as God’s righteousness. It isn’t. We are saved only through faith in God’s gift of grace. And it is through faith with the help of the Holy Spirit that we will be able to remain obedient to God’s righteous requirements.

We can heal our world by beginning with just me. Yes. Begin with yourself. If we strive to be kind to at least two persons and those two extend the kindness to another two, with the trend continuing, then we would reach our entire world. When we all participate, our world would be a kinder and happier place. You would be happier and being kind would be second nature.