Day 103 - A donkey speaks
Scripture focus: You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book! Psalm 139:16 TLB
Read Numbers 22:21-41 - but only if you want to be wowed! God uses a donkey to reveal himself to Balaam. This is ironic; as a pagan prophet, Balaam specialized in animal divination - but in this case, his donkey was way more aware of the spiritual world than Balaam. The Lord opens Balaam's eyes, and Balaam "bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him."
Why did God arrange such an encounter? "I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me." God is angry. God is powerful. God could use his power to smite Balaam. Instead, he goes to great lengths to block Balaam's stubborn resistance, and turn Balaam around.
I don't understand a God who restrains his power in such an awesome, humble way. He could have put Balaam (unethical, unbelieving, immoral, bad behaving Balaam) in his place. Instead, he is angry but he does not sin.
Balaam, appropriately contrite, acknowledges his sin. He offers to return home. God sends Balaam on his way, but reminds him to only say what God tells him to say.
Ultimately, the glory of God is revealed. Balaam refuses to curse the Israelite people. Instead, he blesses them. He doesn't sneak the blessing in, he warns Balak that his mouth will only speak the message that God provides. He behaves, in this moment, ethically. And he accomplishes God's prevailing purpose in this situation.
Balaam understands that God is and will. "God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!" Numbers 23:19-20 NLT
And so it is with us. God has promised us an abundant life. He has called us to live a life of purpose. Do you trust him?
"Your soul was starving for hope - not just to have it, but to give it. . .God never intended for us to live hopeless lives. When we treat the future as something that happens to us, we become passive, apathetic, and even paralyzed. When we embrace our unique place in creation, when we believe that God has created us to create, it begins to change everything for us. It not only empowers us to live, but it holds us responsible for life. Not only our lives, but the lives of everyone we could affect for good. To live an aimless life is to live an unfulfilling life. You're just not wired to give up on life. The best evidence that your soul craves a destiny is that when you no longer believe you were created with a purpose and for a purpose, your soul is never satisfied with the life you have. You can't get enough, make enough, or buy enough to pay it off. Your misery owns you. . .To be a follower of Christ is to believe that everyone's life can be different. No one is defined by the status of birth. Our destiny is not limited to our pedigree. Every human being is of equal value to God. No one must remain a prisoner of fate." Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus, entry 20, Destiny
Donkeys talk; pagans progress the purposes of God; wounded people become healed AND healers. You can trust this - because it is all part and parcel of the prevailing purposes of Almighty God.
Recommended reading: Joshua 5 and 6 in the morning; Luke 15 and Psalm 81 in the evening
No comments:
Post a Comment