Holston Daily Devotional February 2, 2021

Focus Scripture

Numbers 22:22-28

Balaam and the Lord’s messenger

22 Then God became angry because he went. So while he was riding on his donkey accompanied by his two servants, the Lord’s messenger stood in the road as his adversary. 23 The donkey saw the Lord’s messenger standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, so the donkey turned from the road and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey in order to turn him back onto the road. 24 Then the Lord’s messenger stood in the narrow path between vineyards with a stone wall on each side. 25 When the donkey saw the Lord’s messenger, it leaned against the wall and squeezed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he continued to beat it. 26 The Lord’s messenger persisted and crossed over and stood in a narrow place, where it wasn’t possible to turn either right or left. 27 The donkey saw the Lord’s messenger and lay down underneath Balaam. Balaam became angry and beat the donkey with the rod. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you’ve beaten me these three times?”

Devotion

This story is simple but a story filled with many lessons if we look for a deeper understanding. We can often feel like we are doing what God wants us to do, but maybe he did not call us onto this fork we chose. He will try to turn us from this path.

Many times, we will not recognize an impediment as a signal that we need to reexamine where our choice is leading us. Is this where God would want us to be? Is it his plan for us, or is it our human desire we are following?

If we are blocked several times from moving forward to our goal, we may project our failure to succeed on someone else, usually inflicting them with negative thoughts, actions and/or emotions. We now treat someone who may have been a friend or supportive coworker as an enemy. Do we recognize our sin, or have we projected it onto someone else? How would you react if you were immediately called to account for it every time you misjudged or mistreated a living thing? Would you welcome this opportunity to learn how others feel and react to how you treat them?

Balaam took his anger out on his donkey, an animal, who had always faithfully served him. Without thought, Balaam beat the donkey, not once or twice but three times, as the donkey saved his life. Balaam’s journey had been stopped by his donkey three times. Three, a significant number in the Hebrew Bible, representing divine wholeness, completeness, and perfection. The number three was used to put a divine stamp of complete fulfillment on a subject. This is a story God wants us to understand. We must look for God’s hand in all aspects of our life.

Another thought to follow in this story is that the donkey can see the Lord’s messenger, but Balaam cannot. Has Balaam, a well-known man, who can bless or curse a people, has he moved so far from understanding and listening to God? Have we moved even farther away from the presence of God in our life? Have we forgotten how to stop and listen for his call, for his voice?

Finally, we remember milestones that recall our journey of delving deeper into the study of the word. Balaam’s story is one of mine for several reasons. I relate to scripture through music. It touches me on a deeper level. As my initial drive for a deeper understanding of the Bible burned in me, my sister-in-law introduced me to a Christian singer she had just found, Don Francisco. Many of his songs are Bible stories, with one of my favorites being the story of Balaam. His song ended with lyrics, “The Lord’s the one who makes the choice of the instrument he’s using, we don’t know the reason or the plans behind his choosing, so when the Lord starts using you, don’t you pay it any mind, he could have used the dog next door, if he’d been so inclined.” Always remember it is God who does the work. We are only the medium through which his love passes.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Great Immanuel, Praise to you who are with us, love us, and know our faults. Use us to do thy work here on earth, help us to pause and listen for your voice and follow your guidance, open our eyes that we may see all your children as our brothers and sisters and neighbors, let us be always mindful that smiles can bring universal connection and anger great divide. Help us to hold our arms open wide and welcome you in every stranger we meet. In Jesus name, we pray for strength and wisdom, Amen.