Devotion Of The Day

Numbers 22:31-32 (NIV)
31
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.
32
The angel of the LORD asked
him, "Why have you beaten your donkey
these three times? I have come here to
oppose you because your path is a reckless
one before me.

It is interesting that animals can see the
spiritual realm, but man must have his eyes
opened. Balaam's donkey had tried to avoid
the angel in the road with a drawn sword.
Balaam could not see the angel at first, and
so he beat his donkey for what he thought
was stubbornness. The angel of the LORD
(Whom I believe is Jesus) enabled the beast
to talk. Then the angel asked why Balaam
had beaten his donkey. It seems God cares
for these beasts. Proverbs tell us that a
righteous man regards the life of his beast.
Though the LORD gave Balaam permission
to go visit with the leaders that wanted to
curse Israel, we later find out that Balaam's
heart was giving in to greed. He knew God
did not want to curse them, but he was
holding out hope that he could somehow
receive the reward offered. We have to watch
carefully for these subtle heart changes from
obedience and submission to greed. Don't
dwell on what the world has to offer.
The LORD was angry with Balaam, even
though they seemed to be on talking terms.
The more we know, the more we are
accountable for. Balaam knew God and
communed with Him, but greed captured his
heart. He spurned his relationship with God
by going after gain. When our path is a
reckless one that will harm us, the
faithfulness of God comes to oppose our
recklessness. That is the mercy of God.
Meditation: Have I met the resistance of God
opposing my recklessness? Do I recognize it
as God's mercy?

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