Only What the Lord Says

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