Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 22:6, “They outnumber us, so please come and put a curse on them for me. Then perhaps we will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that when you pronounce a blessing, people are blessed, and when you pronounce a curse, they are placed under a curse." (GNB)
Let me give you a brief background to this verse. The people of Israel were led by God, and were moving towards the Promised Land. When the King of Moab heard about their advancement, he was filled with fear. He know that he could not overcome the Israelites who were a mighty lot with his own strength, and hence he decided to do something different. With this in mind he approached the prophet Balaam. Balaam was a prophet of God, who had a special authority endowed on him, wherein, whoever he blessed were blessed, and whomsoever he cursed were cursed. The King of Moab understood that this power to curse and bless rested with Balaam.
In general many have the understanding that to be blessed means to have their own house, vehicle, good job, earthly possessions, so on and so forth. However, the real blessings are in the words of those who have the authority to speak words of blessings or curses, which would have an impact on our lives.
The reasons for Balaam’s authority
One of the reasons for the authority that was bestowed on Balaam can be understood from this verse below.
We read in Numbers 22:8, Balaam said to them, "Spend the night here, and tomorrow I will report to you whatever the LORD tells me." So the Moabite leaders stayed with Balaam. (GNB)
Firstly, Balaam was one who listened to the words of God, and spoke exactly as the Lord commanded him to, and therefore his words had authority.
In Numbers 22:18 we read, But Balaam answered, "Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not disobey the command of the LORD my God in even the smallest matter. (GNB)
Secondly, Balaam was candid that he would not disobey the word of the Lord even if the King gave him all the silver and gold in his palace.
When we are those who stand firm in the word of God, and never disobey what God says, the authority that was in Balaam’s tongue would be in ours as well. If that authority of God remains with us those whom we bless will be blessed, and we will observe the advancements that God would bring about in their lives.
I will place some examples from the bible, and as we study the lives of these people, may we too ask the Lord to give us the same authority in the words we speak.
The words of Elijah to Ahab
We read in 1 Kings 17:1, Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” (NLT)
These are the words of Elijah to King Ahab. As a king, we know that Ahab himself had authority and could command anything with his word to those who were subject to him. However, we know that there is a King who is above all kings, the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth. It is only under the authority of that Supreme King, every other earthly king has been endowed with the authority to rule. Elijah was confident and courageous to declare to King Ahab that unless he said so, there would be no rain or even dew on the land of Israel.
Let us study the word to see how Elijah was entrusted with such authority.
We read in 1 Kings 17:5, “Elijah left and did what the word of the LORD [had told him]. He went to live by the Cherith River, which is east of the Jordan River.” (GW)
Though Elijah was a prophet of God who had the authority to speak to kings and in public, the Lord commanded Elijah to go, and live in seclusion by the Cherith River. Observe how there was no hesitation on the part of Elijah, who immediately went in total obedience to God’s word.
We read in 1 Kings 17:7, “But after some time the stream dried up because no rain had fallen in the land.” (GW)
As there was no rain in the land, the river began to dry up. Nonetheless, Elijah waited until he heard the word of God again before he moved.
There are many who think that if they obey God, there will be no problems or hardships or needs. This is not true for we will face all of the above. However, in the midst of this if we remain obedient God’s word will lead us on to the next step. Elijah could have surmised that since the brook dried up, he could move on, and find a way out on his own, but on the contrary Elijah waited patiently for God to guide him.
We read in 1 Kings 17:8-10, Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Now go to the town of Zarephath, near Sidon, and stay there. I have commanded a widow who lives there to feed you.” So Elijah went to Zarephath,…(GNB)
The next step for Elijah was different when God instructed Elijah to go to the town of Zarephath and to go to a widow, whom God had commanded to take care of the prophet. It seems strange since Elijah was a man who knew many people, and he even had access to the king of the land. Yet, the Lord asked Elijah to go to the house of a widow, Elijah went without any questions or hesitation on his part. No wonder then that there was authority in the words of Elijah who declared that there would be no rain or dew until he said so.
Remember that we are living in days more significant than those of Elijah, and God has endowed us with the same authority. If we too walk in obedience to God our words will become a blessing, and our tongues will pronounce blessing over the lives of many people.
God established the words of Samuel
We read in 1 Samuel 3:19, So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. (NKJV)
The reason for this testimony about Samuel was that he honored God in every way.
Whenever we hear the word of God, we must give due honor to the same. These are days when the word of God is brought right to our homes because of the advancements in technology. In some ways many have gotten so used to doing their own work while the messages are being telecast, and listen to these without paying proper attention to it. We could really miss out on the word God has for us if we take such a slipshod attitude. If we were to have an appointment with a political head or an important dignitary, we would be so engrossed in the same, and not allow ourselves to be distracted by anything in any way. How much more should we give heed when the King of kings and Lord of lords speaks to us? It is a good practice to take notes, and to meditate on the word that is preached as this will truly help us in our walk with the Lord.
When Samuel was the prophet of Israel, God Himself was king over Israel. While all other nations around them had kings who ruled over them, the people of Israel were distinguished in that God reigned over them. However, at one point of time the people of Israel compared themselves with their neighbors, and grumbled that they too wanted to have a king over them. This demand grieved Samuel because he realized that these people desired the reign of a man over them, over against the rule of God as King.
Remember the God has chosen us to be a special people, and this truth should never be forgotten.
As Samuel was troubled about this matter, these were God’s words to him as found in 1 Samuel 8:7, The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven't rejected you; they've rejected me. (GW)
When Samuel heard these words from the Lord, he set aside his own thoughts, and went ahead to anoint Saul as king. It was this implicit obedience to God that made Samuel a prophet of honor whose words stood firm, and had authority.
Saul was rejected as king later, when he disobeyed God’s commands. This too saddened the heart of Samuel to know that God had set aside Saul from being king over Israel.
In 1 Samuel 16:1 we read, The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king." (GNB)
It is indeed astounding that God perceived the feelings of Samuel over the rejection of Saul. The reason for this was that Samuel always chose to do that which was pleasing to the heart of God. He decided to do just as the word of God commanded him to.
We are privileged to have the word of God in written form in our hands. The question is, ‘How much of importance do we give to the word of God?’ Oftentimes, the ways of the world are contrary to the word of God. If we go along with the world we will certainly be found to be those who will disobey what God says.
For instance, couples get married, and then they separate over minor issues or conflict. They easily break the marriage covenant, choose divorce, and get married to someone else. The word of God is categorical that what God has united, no one should separate. I was talking to a young man who was so angry with his father, and was reviling him. I had to admonish him that the bible teaches us to honor our father and mother. He responded to me that if his father would speak abusive words to him, he too would retaliate the same way. Every time we overstep God’s word, to do our own thing, we can be sure that we are forfeiting the authority that God had entrusted to us. The reason for this is that we are not submitting to God’s authority. We all need to be able to exercise the authority to speak words of blessing to others, and to speak to those circumstances that seem adverse to us.
Adam and Eve were created with the authority to rule over all that God had created. This was the gift God endowed on Adam and Eve who were made in the image of God. Adam could speak with authority just as God did, and was able to rule with his words. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, they lost that authority. Nonetheless, we see that those who walked in obedience to God who came after Adam and Eve, were able to exercise this authority that God had bestowed on them.
We read in 1 Samuel 16:4, Samuel did what the LORD told him to do and went to Bethlehem, where the city leaders came trembling to meet him and asked, "Is this a peaceful visit, seer?" (GNB)
Samuel immediately obeyed God, and did what God commanded him to do.
We understand that if we obey God, and stand firm in His word, we will have the authority to speak with that same authority. It’s nothing to do with our tongue, but the power that God has invested in us as those who walk in obedience to God.
While Jesus was here on earth, multitudes followed Him just to hear His teachings. Though there was a magnificent temple, priests and all the rituals were being carried out there, the crowds followed after Jesus just to listen to Him.
The authority of Jesus
The reason for this is mentioned in Mark 1:22, “The people who heard him were amazed at the way he taught, for he wasn't like the teachers of the Law; instead, he taught with authority.” (GNB)
When the people compared the teachings of Jesus with that of the teachers of the Law they realized that Jesus spoke with authority unlike the religious leaders in His day. Also the deeds of Jesus were distinct, and this again astounded the crowds.
We read in Mark 1:27, The people were all so amazed that they started saying to one another, "What is this? Is it some kind of new teaching? This man has authority to give orders to the evil spirits, and they obey him!" (GNB)
The words and deeds of Jesus were both authoritative, and there was a reason for the same.
In John 5:30 we read, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” (NKJV)
Firstly, Jesus did not seek to do His own will which was why He could exercise such authority. Jesus clearly stated that He only sought to do the will of the Father who sent Him.
There are many who want to do things their own way, and have no patience or even a desire to find out what God’s will for their lives is. They will therefore remain as those who have no authority.
When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness these were his words to Jesus as found in Matthew 4:3-4, And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (ESV)
After forty days of fasting when Jesus was really hungry the tempter tested Jesus, by asking Him to turn stones to bread. Jesus was forthright to declare to the devil that it was written, ‘man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Secondly Jesus did not overstep the written word of God in any way.
Whenever, we remain firm to uphold the word of God as Jesus did, we will be able to exercise that same authority in our tongue that Jesus had.
The authority Paul had
Let me share one more incident before concluding this message. Paul met a man named Elymas in one of his missionary journeys, who was a Jewish sorcerer and a false prophet. This man opposed Paul, and also tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
This is what happened to him in Acts 13:11, The Lord's hand will come down on you now; you will be blind and will not see the light of day for a time." At once Elymas felt a dark mist cover his eyes, and he walked around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand. (GNB)
Paul’s word was fulfilled because this man Elymas did not do the will of God, and was being a hindrance to someone else. The words of Paul to Elymas was that he would be blinded, and not be able to see the sun for a specified period of time. As soon as Paul said this, a dark mist covered Elymas’ eyes, and he sought for someone to lead him by the hand.
All of these examples that we saw both in the Old and New Testament, and also from the life of Jesus who is our intercessor, clearly explain to us that all of them exercised authority in the words they spoke. The Lord desires that we too should experience and exercise that same authority. However, the thing that we are supposed to do in order to attain this authority, is for us to set aside all of our personal desires and agendas, looking to the Lord for His leading in every situation in our lives. We must make it our priority to find out what God says in His word, and be firm to stand in it. If we do so we will surely find that the same authority will be there in our tongues, and we will become those who bless others. When we do so we will watch the lives of those around us transform, and they will be blessed. This is a truth and we have attested this based on the word of God.
Let us be reminded that when we speak with this authority we will see lives changes, many who don’t know the Lord will come to know Him, and the Lord will intervene to bring total transformation to all of their circumstances. They in turn will be blessed to live with the peace and health that God will grant to them.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
