BLINDNESS TO BLESSINGS
written by Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel December 30, 2022
Reading: Numbers 11:6 “But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.”
INTRODUCTION
It is very critical if not disastrous to fall into lusting because it places one in denial and refusal to see reality. When God created man and breathed the breath of life into the nostril. (Gen. 2:7) Man became a human being or a living soul and not a human doing, part of that is that as human beings we are called to grasp reality such as that there are things that cannot be seen and some which can be seen, even to things that we cannot get when in need as Our creator is the one that is there to provide them to us.
Blindness to blessings is the view of not being aware of those blessings that God places at our disposal, whether internal or external. Failing to see the truth around us is also part of this blindness to blessings.
The Bible story in (Numbers 11) shows us that when side-tracked, it is difficult to observe and acknowledge all blessings that God is providing to us. The children of Israel fell to lusting, wept as result, and said, “who shall give us flesh to eat?” (11:4) as they remembered what they ate in Egypt freely, now they lamented that “But now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all, besides this “manna, before our eyes.” (Numbers 11:6) Why complain when God heard their cries and provided “manna” to their failure they failed to seize the miracles of God and glorify him.
We see also Moses falling into the same blindness when after hearing people’s complaints he also turns to God and laments that these people’s burden is becoming too heavy on him, “From where should I have flesh to give unto all these people? For they weep unto me, saying, give us flesh, that we may eat?” (Numbers 11:13)
As we are ending the year, and ready to start the new one. It is the time to make an introspection into our lives, for the things that God did for us and what we did not achieve, and ask again, why certain goals were not achieved at all? and for that which was achieved, what is that we did good, and what did we do wrong that prevented us from seeing other goals achieved.
The observation to make here is from what is the cause of the blindness of blessings. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
1. IGNORANCE
The children of Israel were ignorant of what God provided to them in the wilderness. When “manna” was given to them, yet, looked out if there was something else that was not available, and ignored to be thankful for the little God provided, which according to Heaven, was sufficient for them, then queried for what was not available.
One other fact was that the children of Israel were supposed to walk with and in God for them to be thankful to God. The Apostle Paul put it again clearly to the Ephesians to walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind. Ephesians 4:18 “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;”
Another lesson to learn is that walking with a hardness of heart is a problem by itself to compromising what stands in a person’s belief.
How are you living your life?
What takes priority in you?
Do you love God in all that you do?
Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?
We should not be ignorant of what God did for us as we investigate the year that is ending now, let the Holy Spirit help you discern and bring you to the remembrance of all that God provided for you then, and you will be surprised to see how much He loves you, how you were protected, catered for and fed. He provided for all your needs. Spending time to figure out what you were expecting to get or achieve, but did not, will rather rob you of the opportunity to say thank you to God and praise Him more as you begin the new year.
I pray that you will not be darkened by what you did not achieve rather look at that which He provided for you and then celebrate that and feel loved and enjoy life to the fullest, glorifying God dearly.
The breath of life you have even when you read or hear this message is a symbol of God’s blessings. This ignorance sometimes leads a person to think and see what other people’s blessings are than what they themselves have.
Moses at times, claimed that he had nothing at all with him, and God asked him to place the stick in his hands to the ground, the stick became a snake, and was afraid. so, we always have something that God blessed us with. “The LORD answered, “What's that in your hand?” “A walking stick,” Moses replied. “Throw it down!” the LORD commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground.” Exodus 4:2-8-9 (CEV)
2. YOUR CREATOR DOES NOT SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.
To think that God did not care enough about me, and if I failed to achieve certain goals it is all to be blamed on God. He does not know me. Brethren, we should know that God did not create the universe to abandon it, nor created us to be forgotten. This is what symbolizes the blindness to blessings. God had to remind Moses that I created you knowing your abilities, stop giving me excuses for being ready to do what I am putting at your disposal to do. If you claim that you cannot achieve anything because of your physical conditions, you are mistaken. I know you and what you can and cannot do. Exodus 4:11 “The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”
I remember the prophet Elijah telling the false prophets of Baal, that maybe your god is sleeping, call him again and again. Elijah at his turn said to them that I know my God does not sleep, calling Him at once and He manifested His majesty releasing the fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice that was on the altar of sacrificing. 1 Kings 18:19–29 (Elijah challenges the false prophets to have Baal send fire down from heaven. The false prophets fail. 1 Kings 18:30–38—Elijah prays and the Lord sends fire to consume the sacrifice and the altar.)
God is not on vacation but working, for “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Things will work better for you this year, believe and trust God. He will make it for you no matter what you think of Him. He is not a man so that He can lie, this is the promise that He places in his word. (Numbers 23:19)
We time to time miss the miracles of God; every day of our lives is a miracle. If you look again at when Jesus fed five thousand people, the blessings were not that He only fed those people, but speaking to five thousand people without microphones or speakers was a miracle to grasp and be thankful to know that He cares and is able. The only person who can change the impossible into possibility. (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:12-17, and John 6:1-14.)
3. LACK OF BEING SPECIFIC
For one to understand the blessings of God, you need to be specific about what you want from Him, in your prayers and align with His will. I like the blind man in the story as the gospel of Mark presents it when asked by Jesus, this man was specific, my miracle needs to be able to see, so, he prayed for his sight to be restored and when healed, he was thankful to Jesus. Mark 10:51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!
When he realized that he was delivered or healed completely, the blind man followed Jesus, are you willing to follow Him, make that sound decision today and this year to follow Him. He will not fail you. Being specific in the walk of faith is very crucial.
One thing that a specific person does is that he stays optimistic despite the challenges when arising. such is the case of this blind man to whom Jesus restored his sight as he was born blind. Reckoning his blessings, and when was challenged to prove and to tell as to how he regained his sight, the sweet reply from him was that it does not matter, all that I know I was born blind, now I can see. John 9:25 He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
Remark Jesus told him to go and wash at the pool of Siloam, and he went whilst blind and washed and came seeing. Jesus was specific to the blind man as well.
Let us be specific to identify our failures, and determines what keeps on backsliding us. You have tried and have failed, try Jesus this new season or new year, and things will change completely.
Do not allow situations to hold you captive.
CONCLUSION
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
It is easy to forget the blessings of God in our lives, simply because we are putting the focus into the wrong place.
Be reminded that the widow of Zarephath “Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Go to Zarephath in Sidon and stay there. There is a widow there that I commanded to take care of you.” So Elijah went to Zarephath. He went to the town gate and saw a woman there gathering wood for a fire.” 1 Kings 17:8-16 (ERV) God fed Elijah from the little that the widow had when the widow thought that what she had was insignificant.
You are blessed and yet you complain that you are not. why? Think of this, what you have is a prayer request to someone else out there in the world. stop lamenting and being blinded to blessings.
The focus of Israel’s children was not on the “Manna” because they were getting familiar with receiving that. Do not neglect what you have, I am reminded of the hymnal song “count your blessings” with the refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
See God in all that you have. that blessing despite you being acquainted with it.
If you fail to count your blessings, you will be darkened in your soul, and this will cause you to walk in a manner to others like pagans, who do not pay homage to God and worship, praise Him for who He is and for what He is doing for you.
The risk involved here is you will be like the Israelites who did not appreciate fair enough to the “Manna” they received and wished for something else that was not suitable for them. God knows what is best for us all the time. We do not need to be blinded to blessings, as the blessings of God are for our joy and protection.
Be thankful to Him, in praising and worshiping his name higher.
Have a successful year, God bless you.
