Donkey Talk
Nº 250
weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - May 16, 2023
We may be often not in right circumstances, but Christ ever knows how to speak to us in them. - G.V. Wigram
Balaam, a prophet, was begged by a pagan king to come and curse the Children of Israel. Initially Balaam refused, but he eventually relented and agreed to go, with some stipulations.
While on the way, the angel of the Lord – with a drawn sword – stood in his way. Balaam was blind to the supernatural warrior, but his donkey clearly saw the danger. Three times he stubbornly avoided the confrontation. Balaam’s anger led him to beat his donkey, even threatening to kill the poor beast if he only had a sword.
God allowed the donkey to speak. “What have I done to make you beat me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28). Then God allowed Balaam to see the impending danger. The angel of the Lord replied, “I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one.” (Numbers 22:32)
Three interesting principles:
It is better to be like the donkey and see and not speak than to be like Balaam – to speak and not see.
Having a sword and the discipline not to use it is much better than to be like Balaam, whose impulsive anger outstretched his discipline.
Some of life’s frustrating obstacles may be God’s means of protecting us from reckless pathways.
Excelsior,
Dan Bolin
Author & President
Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc
