Under a Curse

Note: We are introducing three new writers to Daily Worship. Pastor Dave Mann (Monday), Karen Burkhart (Wednesday) and David Thompson (3rd Friday). 

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Galatians3:10-14

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Powerful Words

By Pr. Dave Mann

There are two key words in this passage – righteous and cursed.

What does it mean to be righteous? -- a word used regularly in the Bible, but somehow not used often in daily conversation.  The following ideas can help us get a better perspective on the meaning of the word “righteous.”

•       To have a right standing before God.
•       To be confident in the presence of a God who is holy and awesome and perfect.
•       To be at peace before God, even though we can be selfish and broken.

With regard to the second key word, “cursed,” very few people in our culture spend much time worrying about curses.  Those are things that we have come to believe were a concern of people who lived in an unenlightened era – perhaps now set aside along with fairies, witches, and leprechauns. 

However, there can be moments in childhood when something was said that has shaped us and stuck with us for many years –- whether it was a positive word of blessing or a negative word functioning as a curse. “You’re stupid.” “You’re ugly.”  “You’ll never amount to anything.” Those words can sting, especially when they are spoken by a significant person – a parent, a teacher, a coach.  Words have power and they can have a lasting effect upon us.  Some people have spent years with therapists to break free from negative words pronounced years ago.

Even more so, if it is the Lord God himself who has pronounced a curse (a powerful negative word), then we surely have something to worry about.  His words last for eternity.  But this same God, who has indeed declared curses on anyone who has lived outside of his good and perfect will, has also declared for the whole world to hear that there is another, stronger word – the word of grace through faith.  This word of blessing is even more powerful than any curse.  Hear this, all of humanity!  Hear this, all creatures of the earth!  Hear this, sun, moon, stars, galaxies!  Hear this, O my soul!  The penalty that must be paid has been absorbed by Jesus!  All who trust in him are set free of any curse, guilt, or shame.  All who trust in him are declared righteous!  Confidence and peace is yours in Jesus!  Thanks be to God!

Lord of all blessing, I thank you for your declaration of grace.  It sets me free from all negative words and memories of my past.  I am eternally grateful.  Amen.