Today my reading was about Balaam and Balak. Balak requested Balaam to curse Israel as they approached his land. One thought I always find amazing is God's proclamation concerning Israel during this time.
We remember Israel is traveling to Moab because they are wandering. They are wandering because of their sin of unbelief. We know their trip to Canaan will take them 40 years.
However, think about the testimony which Balaam gives concerning Israel. Numbers 23:21
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.
God has not beheld iniquity in Jacob, or perverseness in Israel. It astounds me that when we sin against God, He holds us accountable. As Israel, we may wander. We may face trials to increase our faith. Yet, even though we may experience these things, we are still His people. His testimony to the world concerning us is He sees no sin or perverseness. God defends His people before the world.
Why? Because He knows there is no good in us except that which He creates. He knows we are but flesh. He understands He is working on us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He knows to a man's own master he stands or falls.
We are His people. Nothing can change that. He will lead us to the place He has prepared for us. The opinion of the world doesn't matter. Neither does their desire to curse us. We are His sheep and the people of His pasture. Never forge the value and blessing of being a child of God.