STUBBORNNESS – PART IV
Series Verse: 1 Samuel 15:23
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…."
"Stubbornness – A Spiritual Blindfold & A Generational Curse"
Study Text: Psalms 78:1-8
So far in this series, we’ve illustrated the harmful effects of stubbornness
on faith. First we looked at the mythical "Stubborn Saint: An Oxymoron in
the Body of Christ." Then we studied the results of stubbornness in
"a person’s" life (we say "a person" because there really
is no such thing as a "stubborn saint"). We learned that stubbornness
is "A Pathway to Destruction" and "A Reason for our
Defeat." Well, in this week’s message we see how stubbornness can lead to
two specific demonic strongholds in people’s lives: spiritual blindness and
generational curses.
As our text opens we see that this psalm is "A Maschil of Asaph."
Now, a maschil is defined as a song that enforces a lesson regarding wisdom,
and Asaph, a Levite, was one of the leaders of David’s choir who wanted to keep
the people on the right path by sharing a bit of wisdom.
Asaph begins by telling his people to "Give Ear" to his teaching
and incline their ears to the words of his mouth. What he is really saying is
this: "Look, pay close, close attention to what I am about to say. This is
important!!" Then he goes on to say, "I will open my mouth in a
parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and
our fathers have told us" (2nd & 3rd).
Let’s look at this: "I will utter dark sayings of old." Notice, he
did not say secrets; he said sayings, meaning that these parables were
"public knowledge," (they were read aloud -they were
"heard"), but if the people’s "spiritual sight" wasn’t
there they weren’t going to "get it"-they weren’t going to
"know" or understand the parables. And the same holds true for us
today. If you have your "sight" set on "your own plans or
agendas" instead of God’s, you won’t get what He’s trying to tell you.
Remember our definition for stubbornness: "turning aside quickly from the
way of the Lord"–(Deut. 9:16). Well, this "turning aside" or
stubbornness will definitely keep you BLIND to the mysteries of God.
In the 4th verse Asaph declares, "We will not hide them (the dark
parables) from their (our fathers’) children, shewing to the generation to come
the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath
done." Asaph is trying to keep his people mindful of the obligation they
have, not only to the Lord, but also to the generations to follow. They
shouldn’t become complacent in having the knowledge of God just for themselves.
They should pass it on. If not, then a generation will ultimately arise that
does not know the Lord, and once this occurs they will lose God’s divine favor.
It is for this reason that Asaph reminds the children of Israel of the
statutes decreed for Jacob and the established law in Israel which He (God)
commanded the forefathers to teach their children. The reason these laws had to
be passed down wasn’t to harm Israel; instead it was for the following
benefits:
·
So that they and their unborn children would know God
for years to come (6th)
·
So that they would put their trust in God and would not
forget His deeds (7th)
·
So that they would keep His commandments (7th)
As long as the people kept these benefits before them, they would break that
generational curse that plagued Israel—-Stubbornness and Rebellion.
Just last week we saw how in Judges 2:14 the Lord sold the Israelites into
the hands of their enemies. All of this was due to their stubbornness and
rebellion. They were so set in their ways that God had to show them just how
far their ways would get them. Well, in Psalm 78, Asaph, is trying to keep his
people from being placed in the same predicament. He says, if we set our hope
in God, remember His wondrous works, remain obedient to Him, and learn from the
past – we will not end up like our forefathers-"stubborn and
rebellious" (8th).
As we wrap up, let’s talk about ending up like our forefathers. Surely, if
your forefathers/foremothers are walking or have walked in the prosperity of
God then hey… "When ye find one prosperous, do as the prosperous one
does." But I have seen more people follow the ways of those who really are
not walking in the overflow, especially relatives. Here’s the most common
saying you’ll find: "Well my daddy/momma was …, and my grand dad/mom
was…., and my great grand dad/mom was…., so I guess I am… too."
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with the family pride, but a curse is one thing
no one should be proud of. I’ve seen too many people wear their family’s curses
like badges of honor and even brag about them. "Yeah, my dad don’t like
those people and I don’t either." "Well my mom couldn’t keep a job
and her mom couldn’t keep a job, so I guess it will be the same with me."
"Yep, I’m a hot-head just like my old man." "Just as long as I’m
alive, I’ll always be struggling to make ends meet." No more of this!!!
It’s time for us to move from the land of blind and cursed to the land of
Blessed and Complete!! In His Word, the Lord gives us spiritual plans to
prosper in every area of our lives, but in order to understand them and apply
them to our lives, we have to have "20/20 spiritual sight."
So here’s our Faith Confession:
"Right now, today, I no longer carry those curses of hatred,
insecurity, or failure with me from generation to generation. I am no longer
blind and I no longer curse my seed (the next generation). I bind the demonic
and satanic works in my life, for I know that Christ hath redeemed me from the
curse of the law because He became made a curse for me: as it is written,
"Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13). I no
longer suffer to wrath believing that it is for me in due season because God’s
Word tells me, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Therefore, I
walk in divine favor, divine overflow, divine blessings, divine will, divine
increase, divine goodness, divine mercy and the divine love of God. I will
never, ever be the same again!! I will never, ever be cursed again!! I will
never, ever leave the way of the Lord again!! And in doing so, all my ways are
blessed, every seed I sow is blessed, every harvest I reap is blessed. I am
blessed to be a blessing and my Blesser, Jesus Christ – the Anointed One, will
bless me beyond measure. I am no longer blind and cursed, but I am Blessed and
Complete in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!!"