AMT 12/7
Out of the mouth of …. A donkey? Have you ever had a time where you felt like God wanted you to do something? Give something? Help someone? Visit someone? We might want not to do it because: it seems ridiculous, don’t have time, there are other things to do. Often, I think we don’t write it down so we forget it. Possibly, We don’t think God would use us in His plan. There is another part I have not mentioned. What if we don’t want to do what He is nudging us to do? If I refuse to do what God wants, then somebody else gets the opportunity… and the blessing. But I wonder what happens if and when I do nothing, and no one steps in? Wow. What if no one steps in? Think about the horror one would feel when rejecting a ‘job’ from God, and someone or something falls apart? Would there be consequences for you, for others as well? I want to share two stories with you. One is a story of an experience where I got the opportunity to be used by God. The second story is straight out of the Bible. Let me warn you, both are hard to believe…. My story is of a time where I did obey, but only as a vessel to do God’s work. I use it because it shows the awesomeness of God. Before I tell you my story, I want you to know the type of communication I felt from the Lord is not the normal way God communicates with me. This direct way has only happened twice in my life. Most times, His nudge comes as a tug on my heart or my conscience. Or a spontaneous idea to do something. The more I pray, the more I become aware of what God wants me to do. I also know I’ve dropped the ball at times. I apologize if you have heard this one before. Okay, here we go… I was in graduate school, working on my research. I was working on some calculations and writing some computer code. So, I was fully focused on completing this part of the project. Suddenly I felt like God was close to me. I could almost hear Him audibly telling me to get up and go across campus. Nah, that couldn’t be right. Plus, I was close to finishing this part… But within my head and heart there was God urging me to get up and go across campus. I could nearly hear His voice at my side this time. Okay. Sigh. I closed my notebook, and I obeyed God. I went across campus, toward the Student Center. I crossed over the hill and crossed the road. I was close to the curb when I heard that same voice from before say, “Stop and hold out your hand…” Are you with me? Good. Now you are going to have to wait for the ending until we look at the Bible to learn the story of Balak, Balaam and the donkey ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This story is in the Old Testament, but it still applies today. Specifically, we’re going to look at Numbers Chapters 22,23 and 24. This is one of my favorite childhood stories. A country named Moab was going to be attacked by a huge group called the Israelites (these were the chosen people of God). King Balak of the Moabites sent messengers to meet up with a well-known generic prophet named Balaam. He was not an Israelite. Balak sent money too. Balaam told them that God said no. Balak sent more important ambassadors with a message that Balaam could name his price. Balaam went back to God. This time, God said Balaam could go. The next morning Balaam put his saddle on his donkey. God was angry. There are several theories from the scholars as to what made God mad. First, is it possible Balaam was way too happy about this trip? Money hungry? Secondly, perhaps God was angered because He had clearly said NO the first time yet now Balaam is back asking again. Thirdly, God knows the heart of all, Balaam laterr told Balak how to tempt the Israelites into sin so that they would lose the battle.. No matter what angered God, He sent the angel of the Lord to kill Balaam on his way to Moab. However, we know that God always gives us a way to be saved. Right? . Just ahead there was the angel of the Lord standing in the middle of the road with a sword drawn. Balaam did not see it, but the donkey did! The donkey saved her master by running off the road and refusing to get back on the path. Balaam jumped down and started beating the donkey. Later on the journey, there was a narrow path. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord with a sword again. The donkey ended up squeezing past the angel. Unfortunately, squeezing by meant she crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. OUCH! Balaam beat the donkey again. The third time the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, there was no way to go around. So, the donkey just laid down in the road. She was beaten again! (Each of these times salvation by God came through a donkey.) But wait. How would Balaam and those with him know that it was God that punishes but yet forgives? God always provides a way to find forgiveness. God will use anything to teach us a lesson-even a donkey. The Lord let the donkey speak! Yes – I said the donkey was talking. The donkey said to Balaam – “Have I ever interfered with your travel before? Why did you beat me?” Balaam did not say anything about what had happened. Instead he said, “You made me look like a fool.” My first question would be, “How are you talking?” I would look for a couple of batteries. A ventriloquist, something. Anyway, Balaam then said, “If I had a sword I’d kill you.” The donkey asked Balaam if she had ever been like that in the past? Balaam should have known his faithful beast is still faithful. Balaam had to say no because it was the truth. And then God opened Balaam eyes to see the angel standing with a sword. Balaam was scared and kneeled in front of the angel. As we pray more and more, we will hear what God wants us to do. If we are not in His will, He will provide a way to get back to Him. God gave hints to Balaam using his donkey. However, Balaam didn’t get it. Then, God did a miracle. The donkey was speaking. He got it then! At least for a little while… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OH! Back to my story: “What?” I said out loud. “Stop and hold out your hand.” I figured I was going to look crazy, but listening to God goes before feeling silly. I stopped and put my hand out. Then, I heard a noise. I almost missed the fact that there was a young student sitting on the curb in front of me. She looked up at me with my hand out. Of course, she had to ask me what I was doing. Imagine her look when I said, “I don’t know. God sent me.” She started crying. She told me she was just praying to God that if she wasn’t supposed to kill herself, send somebody to stop her. She then put a bottle of pills in my outstretched hand. My heart fell and came back up again. I talked with her and took her to the student counseling center. God can use anyone or anything to accomplish His will. Pray and listen. You most likely will not hear it, but He will nudge you in a way just for you. We must be willing to step out in faith. We need to do only what God asks and no more. I hope you have a week of listening and learning of what you can do for God. Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for letting us participate in your plan. Help us listen to what You are saying to us. Help us step forward and do the things You are nudging us to do. Help us to keep You as Number 1 in our life. Open our eyes so we can see You. In the Name of the One who lets us participate in life, Amen. Pastor Charlene |
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