Dear Father,

I read about a prophet, Balaam, who was anointed to bless or curse anyone just by speaking words. He was called upon to curse the children of Israel, and he responded, saying, "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?" Each time, You instructed him to bless them instead. He was called upon yet again, and knowing he could not lay a curse on them, he gave this counsel: "If you cause them to commit trespass against the LORD their God, they will heap curses upon themselves."

It's amazing to see the lengths You go to protect Your own. While they were unaware that their enemy was orchestrating their downfall, You fought for them. But something striking stands out in this story: no one could curse Israel but themselves-- through sin.

I considered the weight of sin-- not in terms of punishment, but the separation it brings from You. Not because You turn away from us, but because we turn away from You. Sin is most weighty not when we face its consequences, but when our communion with You is interrupted. No wonder Balaam advised that they be caused to sin. No scheme of the enemy can prosper against a man who abides in the presence of his God.

If only it were possible to flip through questionable pages without turning away from Jesus. If only we could have our cake and eat it too. But isn't this the enemy's strategy-- that in reaching for sin, we unknowingly walk away from Your presence, the very place of our protection.

Translations;
Slide 1: English
Slide 2: French
Slide 3: Bengali
Slide 4: Hindu
Slide 5: Urdu

#LettertoGod
#seperation
#comnunion
#relationship
#sin