Doing It God's Way

Numbers 22:9-35

Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. (Numbers 22:31)

Balaam is a good example of what happens when we do things our way. God told Balaam he could go to Moab under one condition, if someone asked him to go. Balaam ignored God, and left without an invitation. Balaam found out, the hard way, what happens when we disobey the Lord.

Balaam never had a problem with his donkey before this trip. The animal got off course and ended up in a field. They get back on the road, and then the donkey was against a wall, crushing Balaam's foot. Oh, the pain that must have been. Balaam tapped him, and they continued traveling. Then the animal somehow blocked the two into a narrow place, with no possible way to get turned around. Then the animal laid down. This time, Balaam struck the donkey with his cane.

It may be hard to believe what happened next, but the Bible says the donkey spoke! After Balaam hit the donkey, the animal asked what he had done to deserve being hit. Naturally Balaam was amazed a donkey could talk. He was also shocked he would ask such a question. And then Balaam saw what the donkey had been viewing on this trip, an angel standing in their way. Imagine being Balaam, and seeing an angel and a talking donkey, all in the same day.

Immediately, Balaam bowed his head respectfully. The angel repeated the donkey's question, wondering why he could hit an animal. The angel told Balaam he was standing in the way, and the donkey moved each time, to avoid the angel. If the animal hadn't moved, Balaam would have been dead by now. He apologized to the angel, for he didn't see him, and decided to return home. The angel told Balaam he could continue the trip, but to not take control.

This time, Balaam complied with God's plan, and only did and said what the Lord wanted him to. Through Balaam's frustrating and painful experience, he realized that he was the Lord's vessel. God went through a lot to get Balaam's attention. How does God nudge you?

Lord, Open my eyes. I want to view things with spiritual ones. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.