A man named Balaam was one of those who had the privilege of directly hearing God’s voice, and I mean directly hearing God. In old days God would appoint certain people to be prophets- the ones that would mediate between God and His people, such prophets were Moses and Jeremiah. In the story in numbers 22, Balaam is asked to do as God is telling him to do. At first, he is obedient to the will of God, and probably finds it exciting, to be able to hear His very voice… but then he slips a little by trying to get ahead of himself; by trying to get things done by his own hands.
Isn’t it interesting that when we first become Believers, it seems so easy to do what God tells us to do? It is fun to be a Christian first few weeks. But then once we learn more and more about the grace of God and his unconditional love, and the purpose he has for us; we tend to go back to our own desires of doing things our own way…. Because God’s grace is so unconditional, right? And because his purpose requires our obedience and perhaps a time of waiting?
Well in the story, Balaam knew the time was not right to go…. And yet he saddled the donkey and off he went. But God knew Balaam’s heart beyond this act of self-righteousness, and sent this marvelous angel- with a sword- to give this man another chance… to save him. And what does Balaam do? At first he is so blinded by his own desires that he cannot see the signs of God’s presence trying to lead him. Only the donkey is able to see God’s angel, standing and blocking the road with a sword and if Balaam continues to move forward, the angel will kill him. Poor donkey… while trying to save his owner he got beating for nothing! So after a third time, the donkey speaks up! God gives speech to the donkey as a last chance for Balaam to give up and truly focus here…
Donkey asks: “why have you beaten me these three times, have I ever done anything to deserve that?”!!!! Oddly enough Balaam, answers the donkey, as if it was their casual conversation! I think if I heard the donkey speak, I would get the message right then!
After few sentences, the angel becomes visible to Balaam, the man falls to the ground, face in the dirt. He gets the message and repents.
Balaam is asked to simply DO as God is telling him to DO- nothing more- and nothing less. But since it is our desire to get ahead of ourselves, of God’s plans for us, we run as though – [silently] it was in our own power that we can win the race set ahead of us. We have become so self-inspired and so independent, that waiting on God, that simply doing as he tells us to, many times requires intentional prayer for mere patience and other times, God’s very intervention to re-focus our hearts and re-direct our steps, so instead of running, we start to walk again…. So instead of speaking… we listen… and instead of arguing a case, we love others for who they are.
How would you react if God sent you a speaking donkey? For me that speaking donkey was a friend last week. I tried to run ahead of myself, of God’s desires for my life… I lost my focus… I tried my own magic to create something, only God could create… once you have a relationship with such powerful and loving God, he will not let you run and lose... he will allow you to take a few steps on your own, but after that, he will send you a stubborn donkey to stop you from moving any further, and if that doesn’t work, because you are fighting your way through it… he will give speech to that donkey… and if you try to argue with that… your vision will be restored and with that, you can never argue, only fall face down and wait for further direction.
Isn’t it interesting that when we first become Believers, it seems so easy to do what God tells us to do? It is fun to be a Christian first few weeks. But then once we learn more and more about the grace of God and his unconditional love, and the purpose he has for us; we tend to go back to our own desires of doing things our own way…. Because God’s grace is so unconditional, right? And because his purpose requires our obedience and perhaps a time of waiting?
Well in the story, Balaam knew the time was not right to go…. And yet he saddled the donkey and off he went. But God knew Balaam’s heart beyond this act of self-righteousness, and sent this marvelous angel- with a sword- to give this man another chance… to save him. And what does Balaam do? At first he is so blinded by his own desires that he cannot see the signs of God’s presence trying to lead him. Only the donkey is able to see God’s angel, standing and blocking the road with a sword and if Balaam continues to move forward, the angel will kill him. Poor donkey… while trying to save his owner he got beating for nothing! So after a third time, the donkey speaks up! God gives speech to the donkey as a last chance for Balaam to give up and truly focus here…
Donkey asks: “why have you beaten me these three times, have I ever done anything to deserve that?”!!!! Oddly enough Balaam, answers the donkey, as if it was their casual conversation! I think if I heard the donkey speak, I would get the message right then!
After few sentences, the angel becomes visible to Balaam, the man falls to the ground, face in the dirt. He gets the message and repents.
Balaam is asked to simply DO as God is telling him to DO- nothing more- and nothing less. But since it is our desire to get ahead of ourselves, of God’s plans for us, we run as though – [silently] it was in our own power that we can win the race set ahead of us. We have become so self-inspired and so independent, that waiting on God, that simply doing as he tells us to, many times requires intentional prayer for mere patience and other times, God’s very intervention to re-focus our hearts and re-direct our steps, so instead of running, we start to walk again…. So instead of speaking… we listen… and instead of arguing a case, we love others for who they are.
How would you react if God sent you a speaking donkey? For me that speaking donkey was a friend last week. I tried to run ahead of myself, of God’s desires for my life… I lost my focus… I tried my own magic to create something, only God could create… once you have a relationship with such powerful and loving God, he will not let you run and lose... he will allow you to take a few steps on your own, but after that, he will send you a stubborn donkey to stop you from moving any further, and if that doesn’t work, because you are fighting your way through it… he will give speech to that donkey… and if you try to argue with that… your vision will be restored and with that, you can never argue, only fall face down and wait for further direction.
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