WHEN GOD SAYS NO

WHEN GOD SAYS NO!

Num 22:23-28

23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord  standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

24 But the angel of the Lord  stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord , she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26 And the angel of the Lord  went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord , she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

28 And the Lord  opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

           When we pray, is it to find God’s will or is it to get our own way? That is an important question because if we say it is to get our own way then we presume to be smarter than God! It is frustrating to hear God say NO when we ask for something that is greatly desired but God will not be manipulated by man!

           Balaam was on a wrong path and his spiritual sight was blinded to the presence of the angel blocking that path. His ass saw the angel with sword drawn in a very threatening manner and turned aside. His spiritually blind master, however, did not see the clear warning from God not to continue so he whipped the animal. If only God would reveal His will as clearly as He did to Balaam’s ass we would be spared many troubles.

           Delays, roadblocks, and difficulties must be expected when we strive to do what God asks us to do because we have an adversary called the Devil. However, when we take a wrong turn, we need to be sensitive to the sound of God’s voice shouting NO! It requires patience and perseverance to determine the SOURCE of our delays.

           The word “insight” can’t be found in the Authorized Version of the Bible but we can find the words prudence and understanding. It is prudence that we need to navigate in today’s spiritually blind world.

Prov 8:12

12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Dear Lord, help me to see your roadblocks on my wrong path. Give me a heart that desires your will more than my own way. AMEN