Curse wants to resurface old shame to create a sense of doom for today. Blessing does the opposite — it liberates in order to create hope for tomorrow. . . . The Manasseh part of the Ephraim and Manasseh blessing tells people, ‘Your past troubles do not have to define you, but they can refine you.”- Alan Wright (emphasis author’s)
This is what the LORD says: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place.”- Jeremiah 30:18 (NIV)
In Chapter 5 (“Blesses to Be Free”) of The Power to Bless, Alan Wright talks about God’s longing to restore. God grieves the brokenness of exiles, mourns your broken dreams. And He expresses great compassion for your travails.
In ancient Palestine, invading armies often leveled a city, leaving it in ruins. Then, over time, winds blew desert sands into the rubble. Eventually dirt and sand filled the old city’s ruins. That created a big hill called a tel. Often returning citizens or new settlers rebuilt the city atop the tel. As a result, they gained a higher perspective as well as a safer, more strategically located city.
Furthermore, when you bless others marauded by life, you help them see the tel emerging from their rubble. Above all, blessing isn’t advice. Rather, it’s grace put into words. So, when you bless others in pain, you don’t highlight their doubts. Instead, you extend your own trust in God as you exercise faith on their behalf.
Also, blessing doesn’t try to explain the logic of God, but bears witness to the love of God. Blessing points to God’s presence in the midst of suffering.
In conclusion, Pastor Wright adds:
“Blessing doesn’t say, ‘Here’s how God is using this suffering in your life’ as much as it says, ‘I see God right there with you.’ It’s not a blessing when you try to explain someone’s pain. People don’t need you to make sense of their adversity — they need you to help them see God in the midst of it.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses prevent curse from trying to resurface your old shame? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Like Ephraim – twice as fruitful”
