Key scripture- “Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown” (Numbers 22:27-31).

Are you sensitive to who God puts in your life so that He can speak to you through them?

The Israelites were defeating all their enemies in the Promised Land and Balak, the king of Moab, feared that they would be defeated by the Israelites. Now Balak knew that Balaam was a prophet of the Lord and that Balaam had the power to bless or curse a nation. So, Balak sent a delegation to let Balaam know that he would pay Balaam to curse the nation of Israel. As you can imagine, God was not pleased. “But God said to Balaam, ‘Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed'” (Numbers 22:5-12).

Balaam told Balak’s delegation that He could not do it. When the first delegation returned and told Balak, he sent another delegation of men to convince Balaam and these men were more esteemed than the first group, and they promised to give him whatever amount of money he wanted along with great honor. (Numbers 22:14-17).

God told Balaam he could go with this group but he could only say what God told him to say, however, Balaam decided in his heart to proceed with his plan, which means, he was not being obedient to the Lord. The Lord saw what was in Balaam’s heart and this displeased the Lord, so He sent an angel to stop him. Balaam would have been killed by the angel if it not have been for his “talking donkey”. (Numbers 22:23-33).

“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?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live” (Numbers 22:28-33),

In order to achieve Godly success and be pleasing to God, we must be sensitive to those around us who can give input to the direction we may be taking. The fact that the angel asked Balaam the same question as the donkey indicates that the Lord was speaking through the donkey. We may never encounter a talking donkey, but God will confirm His direction in our lives if we are willing to accept input from those around us. Confirmation of what God wants you to do can come through a spouse, a co-worker, a boss, a secretary, a close friend or any other person, and you will know that it is God using them to confirm His plans for you because whatever they say will never ever go against His Word. You never know who God will use to reach you in order to confirm His direction and plans for your life so be sensitive to what others are saying to you.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want to follow the plans that You have for me and I know that You use others to confirm Your plans for me. Give me the discretion and understanding that I need to follow the plans and actions that You want me to take. I will always know that the plans for my life are from You, because they will never be contrary to Your Word. When I follow Your plans I will produce fruit that benefits the Kingdom of God. Give me the wisdom to know that when I have to press to hard for a particular outcome, I need to back off and avoid that situation; give me wisdom so that I do not follow evil men’s advice; give me wisdom so that I do not choose sin over doing what is right, and give me wisdom so that I always choose to walk in righteousness and upright and blameless. Father, I will delight in doing everything You want me to do, and day and night I will meditate on Your Word and think about ways to follow You more closely. When I do that, I will be like a tree along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season. My leaves shall never wither, and all that I do shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3). In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.