June 22, 2019
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today is from the book of Numbers 24: 5-6, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, Your Dwellings, O Israel. Like Valleys that stretch out Like gardens by the riverside, Like Aloes planted by the Lord, Like Cedars beside the waters.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above context we understand that Balaam was delighted to see the tents of the Israelites all arranged according to their tribes and neatly set up in order pitched in the plains of Moab. He breaks forth into admiration of their beautiful order as they lay ranged under their several standards. They look like gardens pleasant and fruitful and secured by a fence. Like sweet-smelling trees in a garden yielding shade and shelter to man and beast. The tents are temporary living quarters while dwelling implies a permanent living space.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Prophet Balaam was hired to curse Israel. Balak the King of Moab said to Balaam, “ I know that whomever you bless is blessed. And whomever you curse is cursed.” He called upon the services of Balaam, who had a reputation for powerful, divining. Balak wanted to put a curse upon the Israelites so as to overpower them and drive them out of Egypt. But God said to Balaam, “ You shall not go with them, you shall not curse the people for they are blessed. ” When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, He raised his eyes and saw Israel, encamped according to their tribes. And the spirit of God came upon him and uttered words of praise over Israel. “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob. Your Dwellings O Israel, Like Valleys, that stretch out like gardens by the riverside. Like Aloes planted by the Lord. Like Cedars beside the waters.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, “ The episode of the defeat of the counsels of Balak and Balaam against Israel, was not by might nor by power but by the spirit of the Lord of Hosts. The Bible says, “The Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.” The Dwellings refer to the house in which you live. God is keen on blessing you and your family. He wants to bless your house with all the good things. If you allow Jesus to enter into your house then your dwellings will be lovely like Cedars beside the waters. And like aloes planted by the Lord. He wants to decorate your house with all the good things. Peace, joy, happiness, good health, wealth and prosperity. God says, “The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and Riches will be in his house and his descendants will be mighty on the earth.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Are you interested in acquiring these blessings, Do you want to live in a house like gardens, by the riverside. Then you need to fear the Lord and walk uprightly, for the faithful man abounds with blessings. The blessings of the Lord makes one rich and does not cause sorrow. God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord, we thank you for turning our curse into a blessing. Help us to live in houses that are like a well-watered garden. May we fear the Lord at all times and walk uprightly to inherit His blessings. Help us to be like sweet smelling trees that spread the fragrance of Christ in our lives. May we be a channel of blessing to others.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
