The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 423

The European Union in Prophecy
forced to exclaim: "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy,
whom the Lord hath not defied?" "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my
last end be like his!" When sacrifice had again been offered, the ungodly prophet
declared: "Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and He hath blessed; and
I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen
perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among
them." "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination
against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath
God wrought!"
Yet a third time altars were erected, and again Balaam essayed to secure a curse.
But from the unwilling lips of the prophet, the Spirit of God declared the prosperity
of His chosen, and rebuked the folly and malice of their foes: "Blessed is he that
blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee." Numbers 23:8, 10, 20, 21, 23; 24:9.
The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God; and so long as they continued in
obedience to His law, no power in earth or hell could prevail against them. But the
curse which Balaam had not been permitted to pronounce against God's people, he
finally succeeded in bringing upon them by seducing them into sin. When they
transgressed God's commandments, then they separated themselves from Him, and
they were left to feel the power of the destroyer.
Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a
match for the hosts of darkness, and that, should he reveal himself openly, he would
be met and resisted. Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the cross from
their strong fortification, while he lies in ambush with his forces, ready to destroy all
who venture upon his ground. Only in humble reliance upon God, and obedience to all
His commandments, can we be secure. No man is safe for a day or an hour without
prayer. Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His word.
Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be
successfully resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own
interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble. We should
study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight of our dependence upon God.
While we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith
continually: "Lead us not into temptation."
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