Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey… 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the donkey, to turn her into the way. 24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam…
What a story!
Here we find a man out of God’s will.
In the beginning it appears he wants to please the Lord; however, as soon as prosperity gleams in the distance, it doesn’t take much to change his mind.
As he journeys on his way he finds himself turned out of that way and becomes angry about it. Never, considering what might be the cause.
I see the donkey in this story as she turned Balaam away from certain death and then that third time when there was nowhere else to go, she simply sat down refusing to go forward without one more try.
Isn’t that just like Grace?
Here we go ‘head long’ after things we know not to chase and ever so gently we see Grace trying to divert us from certain danger.
Oh, the times we abuse Grace!
Mad that our plans have been foiled, we override Grace’s gentle plea!
As we draw closer to the judgment that looms, and now Grace seems to have run out of room, she makes a desperate move to simply set us down right where we are.
Unwilling, you see, to thrust us into the fate that waits.
All of us at times, you see,
Have been a Baalam before our King.
Headstrong and determined to have our way,
Even when death has set our pace.
Now our fate would mean,
That the end was near
Except our mode of transportation be,
A gentle donkey I’ve named Grace.
When you find yourself in a tight place and it has left you feeling a bit of pain.
Don’t panic, look around and see, it just may be Grace has brought you there so you can find the Savior near.
If it’s a wayward love one you see, struggling between the walls of hardship with nowhere to go, don’t get upset and plead with God for their relief.
Pray fervently that God will bring them face to face with Grace.
We could read that passage like this…
Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he went his way on Grace…
23 And Grace saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and Grace turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote Grace, to turn her into his way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when Grace saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when Grace saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam…
If you don’t remember anything else, remember Grace will go out of her way to keep us.
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