Today’s Reading, Numbers 21-22
Focal Scripture: Numbers 22:31 “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the path with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam knelt low and bowed in worship on his face.”
It is easy to get tunnel vision and only focus on what is important in the moment. This is the reason that horses wear blinders so they will only focus on what is in front of them and not get distracted. On one hand that is positive for the horse and the rider. On the other hand these blinders keep the horse from being aware of everything that is around them including dangers and potential problems. Being so focused on a task can also remove your focus from the Lord as humans.
In today’s reading Balaam has a task he is trying to accomplish. However, in the midst of that task he misses the Lord. Balaam missed the Angel of the Lord that his donkey saw on multiple occasions. His donkey then asked why she was being beaten when she was trying to protect him from the coming danger. Balaam was listening to the Lord but his eyes were not open.
So what about you? Are your eyes open as you are walking through this life? I can’t speak for anyone else but I know I have had times where I have been on the right path but blind to what the Lord was doing. I had a personal situation where the Lord moved me and my family from a place of very fruitful ministry to a place of even more fruitful ministry. However, in the middle of that obedience I was surrounded by open sin and disregard of the scriptures. At first I did not see this happening. Then after much prayer, my eyes were opened to what was really taking place. It was clear that I had to leave and get to a place that was healthy and obedient to the scriptures.
I tell this story because it is easy to walk the path but not have your eyes open as you travel. I missed the Lord because I was so focused on serving. That is the point of today’s devotion. Are you missing the Lord because you are more focused on serving the Lord then seeing him in your personal life?
The challenge I have for you today is to pray that your eyes will be open. Pray that you will see where God wants you to travel. Pray you will be able to see what he wants you to avoid. Our hearts and our eyes must be in unison. We must know not only what to do but which path to follow. We must have our eyes fixed on the Lord above all else.
I am still not sure why the Lord has blocked certain paths in my life recently. However, I trust him and his goodness. I trust that when I try to force my own direction, the Lord will block my path and I will fall down and worship. Pray for open eyes and an open heart. Trust the process and listen to the donkeys in your life.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Numbers 23-25
