Date: 02-28-2020

Title: Speaking Truth

(S) cripture:
    Numbers 24:10-13 (NASB77) Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! 11 “Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor.” 12 And Balaam said to Balak, ” Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, 13 ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’?

(O) bservation:
    Previously in this story God placed an angel in the way to prevent Balaam from going. Balaam’s donkey saw the angel and balked three times and then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth and it spoke to Balaam and then Balaam saw the angel. God allowed him to proceed but now with the courage to speak only what God would command. Even though Balak sent for Balaam to have him curse his enemies (the people of Israel), Balaam has stayed true to what he said he would do. In addressing Balak’s anger Balaam reminded him of the conditions he set before he came. He would only speak what the Lord would tell him to speak. Balaam stood courageous before King Balak and said, “What the Lord speaks, that I will speak.” Balaam blesses Balak’s enemies and then pronounced God’s judgment on Balak and his followers.

(A) pplication:
    . Today I want the courage to speak the truth even when it is not what the powers that be want to hear or called me say. I want to the same attitude and commitment that Balaam demonstrated. I want verse 13 to be true of my life. Numbers 24:13 (NASB77) ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’?

(P) rayer:
    Lord, grant me the courage and strength to speak your truth even in the face of opposition from the “powers that be”, knowing that their power is nothing compared to yours. Amen