Sat.’s Devo - God’s Blessings

Read: Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13 Balaam followed the Moabite officers. God was angry that he hadn’t obeyed his first request for him not to go, so he sent his angel to block his way. Balaam was kept from seeing the angel, probably to humble his pride showing that he wasn’t such an all-knowing seer after all. His donkey could see into the spirit-realm better than him. The donkey tried to save its life and Balaam’s, but Balaam beat him all three times. Finally, God opened the mouth of the donkey and it spoke to Balaam. What floors me the most is that Balaam talked back to the donkey like that was normal, which in the life of a sorcerer that must have been. When his eyes were opened to see the angel with its drawn sword, he was enlightened. The angel told him he would have killed him if his donkey hadn’t have saved him. Balaam was humbled even though it doesn’t say he apologized to his donkey. But, he did get the message. When he met with the king he told him he would only say what the Lord let him say. *** King Balak took Balaam to three different views of the tribes of Israel looking for a weak spot but, God felt the same way about all his children. Instead of cursing Israel, he blessed them making King Balak extremely mad. *** In Balaam’s first oracle he established the fact that these people were set apart from other nations. In the second speech he told Balak that no magic has power against Israel, they would crush their enemies. Tomorrow we will read what he said at the third place. *** In Luke, Elizabeth had her baby and when he was eight days old, they took him to the Temple for his circumcision ceremony. The priest wanted to name the child Zechariah after his father, but Elizabeth stopped them and said his name was John. They finally had Zechariah write down on a tablet what he wanted his name to be. He wrote “John.” When he did, he could immediately talk. The first thing out of his mouth was praise to God. He began to prophecy the redeemer had come. A Saviour from the line of David had been sent to save them. God had remembered his covenant with his people. Then he turned to his own son and told him that he would be called the prophet of the Most High because he would prepare the way for the Messiah. He would give light to those in darkness and facing death. He would guide them to the path of peace. *** These events shook the surrounding area and all wondered what kind of man this child would grow up to be. John grew in God’s spirit and lived in the wilderness until it was time for him to enter into his public ministry. *** Lord, may we not be stubborn when you ask us to do something. May we quickly respond. Thank you for your blessings and the good plans you have for us. May we walk in your path of peace.