| TODAY'S SCRIPTURE Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way. . . . (Numbers 22:31)
TODAY'S WORD , Balaam, essentially a prophet for hire, was on his way to do something that was against the will of God. As he was riding his donkey to do what God had told him not to do, an angel of the Lord, holding a sword, intervened. Balaam didn't see the angel, but his donkey did, and she refused to go past the angel.
Here is an amazing thing: the Lord opened the donkey's mouth so she could speak. But what is more amazing to me is that Balaam responded and began arguing with the animal! (I think the donkey was winning the argument, by the way.) Meanwhile, the angel was still standing there, blocking Balaam's path. Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and what did he see but an angel of the Lord, standing in the road with sword drawn. Balaam fell flat on his face. Now he was ready to listen. Now he was willing to pay attention to the leading of the Lord.
We don't often realize it, and we don't have our eyes opened to see them, but angels of the Lord are around us to guide us, protect us, and to block our path when we are trying to go against the will of God. We shouldn't have to argue. We should be paying attention to the Lord.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Holy God, I believe that you will change people and many things, if asked and if it is your will. Change me Lord, if it is your will, for I would lead a better life. Touch me, I pray, great God whose touch transforms. Reach out your mighty hand to me, and to all who seek you in the name of your Son. Heal us, transform us, and make us whole; reach out your mighty hand to lift us up to serve you; touch me and all of us this very day, O Lord, that our own hands may bring your hope and healing to this broken world. In Jesus Name, Amen. |
No comments:
Post a Comment