We must read the blessing and the curse. Joshua 8:34 - "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law." The gospel is not blessings only. There are curses for those who don’t believe it. There are curses of chastisement upon the saints. These are not cursings of wrath; they are disciplines of love, but Moses and the Prophets use the language of curses and wrath, and so does God. Isaiah 54:8 - "With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," Says the LORD, your Redeemer."

We must be warned, and be careful about disobedience: Don’t think that God favors you, so he won’t chasten! It is the opposite: Whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and he scourges every son that he receives. He whips us, makes us hurt, and he will not spare for our crying [Prov 19:18]. Our Father knows that it is best, and he will discipline us rightly.

Therefore, FEAR THE LORD. 1 Peter 1:17 - "And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile," This is the end result of chastisement, for our good, so we can receive the blessings. Jeremiah 32:40 - "I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me."

God is good, faithful, and true. If we follow him, then it will be well with us. If we do not, then no matter what else we have, we cannot have peace, the joy of communion, and power over deep sins.

Secondly, if we succeed, then there will be war. Joshua 9:2 - "they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel.” As soon as we enter the Promised Land and begin to conquer, then Satan will war strongly. He will marshal his forces and attack us with pride. He will puff us up, and say, “Look what your great hands have done,” and then we’ll tumble down like Nebudachadnezzer.

Be careful, dear saints. Success has its challenges. Many who can serve God in poverty are greatly challenged when rich. It is harder to serve Christ in California than in Nigeria. There are more temptations, more opportunities to forget God, and pressure to be silent. Be careful about spiritual success. The Devil won’t give in because we’re winning.

It takes grace to be on top, but God gives us deer’s feet, so we can tread the mountains. Psalm 18:33 - "He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights." It takes grace to be humble when we’re exalted, but he benefits us with affliction. 2 Corinthians 12:7 - "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited."

Let us pray in the good times, as much as in the bad. Let us GUARD our hearts when prosperity comes. When churches grow, I’ve seen pastors lose the humility and brokenheartedness of their struggling days. Now, they are kings, and they are mighty. Now, they demand respect, and look down upon others. Now, they don’t need partners. They are self-sufficient.

Pride is in all of us, and it must be beaten back. Pray it away, and confess your sins. Don’t let arrogance fester. Acknowledge your temptation to forget God and leave off the work, because you are doing well. Keep your heart with all diligence, and trust God in your nothingness. Sanctify everything you have with thanks and service. 1 Timothy 4:4, "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."

Thirdly, come to Christ for mercy, and you will obtain mercy! Joshua 9:11 - "So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us."'" Christ is a merciful Master. Come to be a servant, and you will live.

We cannot stand before him in pride, saying, “Who is the Lord that I should obey him? I don’t know the Lord.” He will teach us who he is, and get glory in our destruction! Exodus 14:4 - "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so." He is the Master over all, the Lord of life, and to him we’ll answer at the Judgment. We are accountable to God.

Confess your sins, and be changed. Say, “I have done wrong, and I’ll do it no more.” Ask him for forgiveness and cleansing. Trust in his grace to wash away your sins, and to give the power of the Spirit. Trust him for joy. He will give more joy in mercy than in rebellion. If you love pleasure, then choose God. He will spare you from hell and give you Paradise; it will be well with our soul.

He gives the benefit of Christ on earth, as he dwells in the heart by faith. He satisfies our deepest needs. John 4:14 - "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."" Covenant with him by the blood of the Son and the mercies of the covenant. Trust him to make you obey.