Numbers 22:27
“When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.”
Balaam was on a mission of greed. He was hoping to be paid a large sum of money. While God gave him permission to go, his motive must have been bad, for the angel was facing him with a sword. I’m not sure if that was a warning or worse. I have to think it was a warning for God allowed the donkey to see him.
Balaam didn’t see the angel, so he was angry that the donkey stopped and wouldn’t go. Much of his anger was from his embarrassment. He wasn’t alone. He had the king’s distinguised guests traveling with him. So, the fact that his donkey was acting unpredictably was frustrating Balaam.
As we live our lives committed to God, we need to trust that He uses circumstances. I used the truck last night and it ejected a spark plug. I was frustrated until I realized it’s the vehicle my daughter drives. She mainly drives the freeways to college. I was then thankful that it happened while I was driving it. God manages our circumstances for His purposes. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
In these examples the bad circumstances were actually a good thing. Balaam’s life was spared because of it. My daughter was spared a scary event that may have caused an accident. We shouldn’t just tolerate the events, but see them as things that may be helpful. They may be as dramatic as saving a life, they may be molding our charater or working on a bad habit.
In these examples the bad circumstances were actually a good thing. Balaam’s life was spared because of it. My daughter was spared a scary event that may have caused an accident. We shouldn’t just tolerate the events, but see them as things that may be helpful. They may be as dramatic as saving a life, they may be molding our charater or working on a bad habit.
We need to view our circumstances through the eyes of faith. Instead of complaining and seeing things as negatives, we need to look heavenward, say a prayer and thank Him that He’s got it. Philipians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”. We end the process “with thanksgiving”. He is certainly capable and He cares for us more than we do for ourselves. He will work it out. We do well to not worry, but to give thanks.
Lord, help us not to get frustrated with our circumstances, but to give thanks that You have it all under control.