Today in my Bible reading I came to a favorite passage, one that encourages me as a preacher and as a follower of Christ. You can check out the story in Numbers 22-24.
The majority of this story is about how the Israelites have camped next to the Moabites who had seen how this traveling people was not one they could oppose. In response, Moabite king Balak contacts a prophet to place a curse on the Israelites. There are several scenes which take place in order to develop the story, but we eventually find Balaam the prophet riding on his donkey to meet with the king, when the Angel of the Lord stood in his path. What is interesting is that the donkey sees the angel and tries to turn away. Balaam, not seeing the Angel of the Lord who is waiting in his path, beats the donkey and yells at it to keep moving forward. Finally, the angel of the Lord makes the DONKEY speak!Numbers 22:28–35 (ESV)
28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” 30 And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”
Balaam was confronted by his donkey in order that God could gain his full attention and redirect him. The Donkey was God's messenger!
In a world where people want to listen to celebrity preachers, a society where we desire the insight of the famous commentators of scripture and "experts" on life, it is easy to think that God will not or cannot use ordinary folks in His work. But God is never limited by our perspective, and this is why I am encouraged by this story.... If God can use a donkey to speak, to convict, to share a message, then God can use anyone who is willing to be obedient to His call. He can use me, and he can use you.
In a world where people want to listen to celebrity preachers, a society where we desire the insight of the famous commentators of scripture and "experts" on life, it is easy to think that God will not or cannot use ordinary folks in His work. But God is never limited by our perspective, and this is why I am encouraged by this story.... If God can use a donkey to speak, to convict, to share a message, then God can use anyone who is willing to be obedient to His call. He can use me, and he can use you.
How might God want to use you to speak for Him today?
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