Deuteronomy 23:4, 5  “For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you. However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” (NIV)

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Balaam was hired to curse Israel. God placed words of blessing in his mouth instead. 

While those in the valley below were unaware of what was happening in the high hills above them, God was thwarting an attempt to bring curses upon them. (See Numbers 22-25 for the full story.)

Seven times Balaam blessed Israel with the words God placed in his mind and mouth. God protected his people as he said he would, as he always had, and as he always will. He did not, however, save them from themselves. Their outright rebellion cost the lives of many. (Find the details in Numbers 25.)

Why does God bless us in ways we are not even aware of? Verse 5 above tells us. 

“However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.”

Consider this fact: God blesses you in many ways which you can count like the old song says. There are also blessings so mundane (food, water, air) that we seldom ponder their significance and presence. Additionally, there are blessings we will never know of until we all get to heaven, which is another fun song to sing, and not just on Sundays. 

It’s Sunday, the day when Christians all over the world gather to worship. God-honoring worship remembers what God has done, gives thanks for God’s ongoing blessings and watchcare over us, and exalts him in praise for who he is. 

How have you been blessed this past week? Make a list and give thanks.

What blessings from God will you ask for in prayer? Write them down.

What expectations do you anticipate as you prepare to adore him? Feel free to start now. You might even sing that song that is bigger and broader than Christmas, O come let us adore Him. 

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I will sing God’s praise and declare joyful thanks for his grace, mercy, kindness, and love. 

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Our Father, thank you for every unseen, unnoticed blessing. You intervene in ways we will never know. You provide protection we don’t know we need. You defend us against enemies unaware. You turn curses into blessings. Thank you. Amen.