READING: Numbers 22-24, Mark 10:35-11:14
Balak, king of Moab, was frightened by the power of God’s people as they defeated the Amorites. For that reason, he called on Balaam, a pagan prophet who would later be numbered among false prophets, to curse the Hebrews. Apparently, he had a reputation for cursing others effectively—though he refused to do what Balak wanted him to do.
The scriptures never make the case that Balaam was a true follower of God, but he nevertheless made a commitment to speak only what God commanded him to speak—as God required of him (Num 22:20):
- “I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth.” (Num 22:38)
- He answered, “Shouldn’t I say exactly what the Lord puts in my mouth?” (Num 23:12)
- But Balaam answered him, “Didn’t I tell you: Whatever the Lord says, I must do?” (Num 23:26)
- “I will say whatever the Lord says.” (Num 24:13)
Not as a pagan prophet but as a preacher of God’s Word, I must make this same commitment to speak only what God gives me to preach from that Word. It’s just too easy to let this commitment slip into nothingness when we pastors choose instead to speak what we want to speak – and hope God blesses it. I’d rather speak only the message God puts in my mouth.
PRAYER: “Help me, God, to speak only that which You give me to say.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Approach God’s Word today as His voice to you. Listen to Him.
TOMORROW’S READING: Numbers 25-26, Mark 11:15-12:12