Numbers 23:19-20 “God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind.  Has he promised, and will he not do it?  See, I received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.”

This is a story I did not know.

The king of Moab called on Balaam, who some considered a prophet of God, to curse the Israelites because his people were afraid of them.  He wanted to have the upper hand if it came to war.  The king sent gifts and an entourage to escort Balaam back to him for this curse.

Four times the king showed Balaam the Israeli camp from different angles.  Four times Balaam sought and received words from the Lord God.  He cleared stated to the king that he could only repeat was he was told by God and that he would not deviate from what he was told.

This man, Balaam, was not an Israelite yet he sought the words of God and would only follow them?  This man was not an Israelite but God clearly spoke to and through him?  God is bigger than we allow him to be in our own minds.

I seek to hear and obey just as this story leads us to do.  We have received a command to bless; to love.  He has blessed and loved and we cannot revoke it.

Lord,

Let this strange story remain in my heart and mind today as I meet people, teach school and cook meals.  In all I do let me hear you and not deviate from what you say.  All people are your people; guide me in blessing and loving them as you have blessed and loved me.  Amen.