When God Turns Curses into Blessings

Isaiah 55:13 [TLV]
“Instead of the thorn bush, a cypress will come up, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to Adonai, as an everlasting sign that will never be cut off.”

Thorns and briars represent curses, barrenness, or the effects of sin, echoing Genesis 3:17-18. Cypress and myrtle symbolize life, beauty, and divine blessing.

The replacement of thorns and briars (symbols of curses) with cypress and myrtle (symbols of blessing) illustrates God’s power to take the undeserved curses spoken against us and, in their place, release His blessing.

These blessings stand as a testimony to Yahweh’s renown. God promises that this exchange from curses to blessings will be an everlasting sign in our lives that will never be cut off.

In 2 Samuel 16:5-12, during a season of deep distress, David faced false accusations and undeserved curses from Shimei of the house of Saul. Shimei accused David of having Saul’s blood on his hands, which was not true. Saul had taken his own life during the battle with the Philistines at Mount Gilboa.

David responds, saying in 2 Samuel 16:12 [LSB]:
“Perhaps Yahweh will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his (Shimei’s) cursing this day.”

The Lord did restore His covenant blessing to David. David was restored to the throne of Israel. The Lord took the false accusations and undeserved curses spoken against David and turned them into blessing.

The thorns and briars David faced were replaced with cypress and myrtle, illustrating God’s power to take the curses spoken against David and restore covenant blessing in their place.

When God remembers His people, He acts in covenant faithfulness. We bring the false accusations and undeserved curses spoken against us before Him in remembrance, trusting Him to look upon our affliction and fulfill His covenant promises.

When we bring the false accusations and undeserved curses spoken against us to the Lord’s remembrance, inviting Him to look upon them, we give Him room to bless us in place of the curses.

Removing the Cause

Proverbs 26:2 [LSB]
“Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in flying, So a curse without cause does not come to pass.”

If we are guilty of what is being spoken against us, then a curse may have legal right to land. This is why it is essential to examine ourselves honestly and repent if there is any truth in the accusations.

Matthew 5:25 [AMP]
“Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court]…”

If the adversary has cause against you in the courts of heaven, agree quickly and repent sincerely before your Father in heaven. Ask for cleansing by the blood of Jesus. Leave the adversary with no legal standing to pursue judgment.

Ephesians 6:12 [LSB]
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against … the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Forgiving and Blessing

We must forgive those who launch attacks against us. God never gives us license to carry bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts.

Unforgiveness gives the enemy legal ground to hold words spoken against us as a cause for curses. Therefore, we must be willing to forgive and release those who have offended us.

You know you have truly forgiven when you are able to speak blessings over them.

Once you have forgiven them, the curses become without cause, and God can look upon those curses and turn them into blessings.

Prayer

Lord, examine my heart. Search me and see if there is any wicked way in me. If I am guilty of anything I have been accused of, I repent before You and ask that the blood of Jesus cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

Lord, I forgive and release every person who has spoken words against me. I bless them now. I bless their lives, their families, their children, their future, and their destiny. Let it be recorded before You that I hold no unforgiveness against them. I release them, I bless them, and I declare that every place they have cursed me, I bless them instead.

Now, Lord, let every curse spoken against me be turned into blessing, standing as a testimony to Your renown. Just as Shimei cursed David in his distress, and You used those curses to remember David and do him good, I ask that You do good to me and my family today. Turn every curse spoken against us into blessing right now.

[List the false accusations or curses you are aware of, and bring them before the Lord in remembrance.]

Lord, look upon these in remembrance and turn every one of these into blessing right now. Those spoken in the natural world, and even those the enemy has picked up to weaponize against us in the supernatural world, Lord, let them fall to the ground right now, stripped of all power, and turn each one into a testimony to Your covenant faithfulness.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!