Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!
As I’ve discussed with You before Father, I’ve been spending time reading through the Old Testament as of late. I’m not sure exactly why I’ve been drawn to these Books at this point in time, but I’m picking up perspectives I’ve missed in the past and a new sense of “origin” that’s added structure to my knowledge of You. It always fascinates me how as I read, certain passages “speak” to me, and I’d like to go over one such section if I may.
The passages I’m referring to occur in the Book of Numbers, and describe an interaction between Balaam and King Balak following Balaam’s blessing of the Israelites for a third time, instead of cursing them as Balak had brought him to do. In this dialogue, Balaam is dealing with a very frazzled Balak:
“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.”
Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?” – Numbers 24:10-13 (NIV)
Now, Balaam initially set out on this job led by greed to get paid for cursing the enemies of the king, but was quickly reminded that You run the show and was instead brought into Your service. In the end, his eyes were opened and he not only stood firm against the king by prophesying success for the Israelites, but also through the Spirit foretold of Balak’s fate as well.
Balaam learned his lesson; Your Voice is the one we need to heed, not those around us. When all is said and done, Your Will is the only Truth.
Such a simple, but essential and fundamental lesson that is Father! May we all go forward with the conviction You gave to Balaam on that day, and maintain Your Truth in our hearts.
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
God reminded me of this very thing recently. The only voice that matters is His. When I start to focus too much on the negative (or positive) thing that someone said, I need to turn to God and listen to His truth. Only what the Lord says – amen!
Amen Lisa… It’s something He’s been working on me with as well, and this passage reinforced it nicely.
Have a Blessed Day!
Only what the Lord says…what a great lesson! Thank you.
Thank you Alida!
Have a Blessed Day!
It’s so easy to get distracted by the voices all around us. That is why we need to keep our ears and our eyes focused on His truth.
It can be difficult to filter out all the earthly draws on our attention sometimes, but it’s only in His teachings that we learn the real Truth. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Amen… may we be so in tune to His voice that all others will fade into the background.
Amen Heidi! I want His voice to be the most prominent one in my life!
Have a Blessed Day!
So true. It can get so ‘noisy’ with all of the voices around us. But only one matters, God’s.
Absolutely Jenifer. May we all have focus on His voice in our lives!
Have a Blessed Day!
The other voices are noisy and try to drown out the One that we should listen to. I want to hear only Him and follow His voice!
I want exactly the same thing Allison… Working on it! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I applaud Balaam’s integrity and courage. While reading this I was reminded of the U.S., and how our government doesn’t seem too concerned with blessing Israel at the moment. But I still pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the nation as a whole. On hearing the Lord’s voice… amen! “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Yes! Only what the Lord says! Wonderful message Phil!
Excellent analogy Debra… World events have been quite disturbing in recent history. May we all hear the Guiding and Comforting Voice of our Father, and follow Him to a more peaceful way.
Have a Blessed Day!
Great reminder, Phil. Too often I start out blinded by my own motives, forgetting God. I have to stop, quiet myself and listen for His soft voice to really guide me, not my own ambitions, wants and desires.
Sometimes it can be difficult to hear His Instructions through all the ‘noise’ around us Jean, but in the Stillness we can find His Guiding Voice and gain that direction and comfort.
Have a Blessed Day!
When I got saved I was drawn to the old testament and even now the Lord will draw me back what I got from it is that He is wanting me to see how things began and where they came from. Because when I read the four Gospels they all speak of old prophets in the Old Testament of how they spoke of the Christ coming. Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel and even some of Revelations is in the Old Testament. It’s a learning experience.
Speaking God’s truth. I’m convicted that to do so, I must know the truth. I must stay in the Word and speak to the Father on a consistent basis. I also must do better at my listening. It’s been hard to hear him as of late.
peace~elaine
It’s something we all falter on now and again Elaine, but He’s always there to Guide and Comfort us when we’re able to focus on the Stillness.
Have a Blessed Day!
It truly is a learning experience, isn’t it Desiray? I gain so much insight reading those early words and hearing God’s messages to His Children.
Have a Blessed Day!
It’s really amazing how balaam found that his greed was not good and he suddenly had a feeling not for the money, but for the people. How touching not only to the heart, but to the soul… I like the post!
Thank you my little love… Well said. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day Jonathan!
I too like Lisa, Phil, was recently reminded in a particular situation that the only voice I should listen to
is God’s voice. That yes, I can seek wise counsel, but the bottom line is, I must seek the voice of God.
Thank you for this post, as I took the opportunity to listen to this wonderful story again on an online audio Bible.
God Bless
Thank you Carole! Which online bible do you use? I’ve been using You Version for some time now, and enjoy it a great deal.
Have a Blessed Day!