Have you ever had people talk about you? I mean serious, reputation-destroying, heart-breaking, intentional slander. Me too! Several times in the last 40 years and I have to admit that I haven’t always handled it well. In fact, a couple of times I have handled it badly.
This morning I want to share with you one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It tells us how to deal with the above-mentioned people – those who like to slander.
King Balak was afraid of the Israelites and he wanted them destroyed so instead of facing them in battle he wanted to hire a man named Balaam to curse them.
“But God replied, “Don’t go with Balak’s messengers. I have blessed those people who have come from Egypt, so don’t curse them.” Numbers 22:12 CEV
But Balaam went. He saddled his donkey and set off with the messengers to see the King. Along the way Balaam’s donkey steps off the path three times. What Balaam doesn’t realize is there was an angel standing on the path with a sword and the donkey is trying to avoid the angel and the sword. Balaam’s donkey ends up talking to Balaam and then the angel talks to Balaam and reminds him to only say what God says about the Israelites. (Really you need to read Numbers 22-23.)
Balaam meets King Balak and is told to curse the Israelites.
“Balaam said: ‘But I can’t go against God! He did not curse or condemn Israel.'” Numbers 23:7-10 CEV
Balak is furious with Balaam and demands that he curse the Israelites. Balaam goes to hear from God again but the message is the same.
Now for my favorite verses in the whole Bible.
“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. 20 My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done'” Numbers 23:19-20 CEV
God doesn’t lie and He always keeps his promises!
We sometimes fail to see those promises come to pass in our lives because we try to “help” God along or we think we know better and try to “defend” ourselves. God doesn’t need our help to defend our reputation. He is perfectly capable of doing it on His own.
In fact, Jesus said it this way,
“But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.” Matthew 5:43-44 CEV
I have come to the conclusion that it is much better to let the Lord protect me and to confront those who are speaking against me. He fights a better battle, and I will do what He says and pray for them. This way the Father is glorified.
Thank you, Father, for being my defense and my hiding place. You have blessed me. I can trust you to always keep Your promises and to never lie or change!