Numbers 22

Numbers 22:22
“The Unlikely Messenger”

Today I was reading the infamous story of the talking donkey. We all love this story, especially animal lovers like me ;)
As I dug deeper into the story I wanted to figure out how this particular story applies to me…in the 21st century, Sebring, Florida.
Because of Balaam’s blindness, God used the most unlikely source to get his attention. Sometimes in our Christian walk… or even if are not following Him… God uses people in our life, or seemly meaningless situations to convey a message. As a Christian I need to look at everything through different eyes, through God’s eyes. Pain, problems, and prosperity.
I don’t know about you, but if my mode of transportation started talking to me I would do 3 things. 1st jump out of my skin, 2nd tell myself I’m going insane and how scientifically it couldn’t happen, then 3rd shut up and listen (which should have been the first step). The Bible tells us that Balaam had has this donkey all his life (vs.30). It wasn’t just some donkey he just picked up, he knew this animal in and out. What struck me silly was the fact that once Balaam’s donkey talked, he immediately defended himself by saying “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now. (vs. 29)” What the heck?! How easy it is for us to cover-up our wrong actions by defending them as right… and threatening to harm because of a just and right accusation. After the donkey proved his loyalty and made him feel stupid with her logic, that’s when Balaam shut-up. At the end of the story it was the donkey who saved his life! How cool is that 
Balaam didn’t take the donkey’s actions or words seriously. The three times his animal turned off the road, he beat it. God was trying to get his attention, but Balaams ear was not tuned to the Lord’s radio station. When we are going in the wrong direction, against God, the right will always seem wrong. We will either feel convicted or just be totally numb to Gods signs.
This is how I feel this story applies to me. I’m not a fancy speaker, I’m young, and I don’t seem like someone to take seriously, but God can use me to convey a message. That message is LOOK OUT! I can tell people that there may not be an angel with a drawn sword right in front of them, but a life without Jesus is a path leading to a lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 19:20). LOOK OUT because their life could be leading to death! Jesus loves them and He wants their heart. In John 15:9 Jesus says “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.” Christ love for us is so deep and true… He died a painful and agonizing death so that we could come before God clean and pure. What a sacrifice! What love! What an amazing message to share!
In Numbers 22:34, I saw that when we mess up, admit our sin, realize what to change and actually CHANGE it, God puts us back on track with HIS mission, not our own. Balaam did what God told him to do. In verse 38 Balaam says “… the word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” He continues to obey and follow Gods command. Balaam didn’t change his mind once he felt “off the hook”, he didn’t change his actions once the angel with the sword was out of sight.

From this chapter I realized four things:
1st God can use unlikely things to get my attention.
2nd I need to tune my heart to His station.
3rd God can use me, even if I feel like an improbable tool.
4th Once I turn my life around, choose to follow Him, and obey Him completely He forgives me and I can continue on His mission for me.