One planned to start; the other intended
to stop.
As we went around the Sunday school room
taking prayer requests, one gentleman told of a health condition that would
require him to see a new doctor, whom he named. Another gentleman piped up and
said he was going to turn that same doctor loose.
“He told me to stop smoking and cursing
and to give up my liquor.”
Another said, “He might as well have told
you to find a wife.”
The class erupted in laughter. We knew
both were kidding, but the conversation was humorous just the same—especially
in a Sunday school class filled with senior adults.
Starts and stops fill our lives. They did
Balaam’s. He was a false prophet hired by the king of Moab to curse the
Israelites whom he had witnessed defeat his neighbors. He feared he and his people
were next on the list. Initially, Balaam refused the king of Moab’s request,
but later God told him to go. The problem wasn’t with the starting, but with
the mindset he started with.
An angel from the Lord blocked his way.
Balaam’s donkey stopped. Balaam beat the donkey. As he approached a narrow
place, the angel appeared again and the donkey stopped. Balaam beat the donkey
again. At a third place, the angel appeared at a narrower place. This time, the
donkey lay down. Balaam beat it again. This time God allowed the donkey to
speak to Balaam. When God opened Balaam’s eyes, he saw the angel and realized
the danger the donkey had kept him from.
What Balaam needed was to stop disobeying
and start obeying. God allowed him to go, but he wanted him to go with God’s
message, not the one the king of Moab wanted him to deliver. God never indulges
our disobedience, and it always brings His discipline. Like a good parent, God
disciplines because He loves us and wants us to get back on track.
Balaam also needed to listen to God’s
plan, not the king of Moab’s. The king wanted Balaam to curse Israel, thinking
this would help him defeat them in battle. God wanted Balaam to bless
Israel—because God had plans to bring them into the Promised Land.
God’s plan is always best, and the only
way we can enjoy life to the fullest is to love God and obey His plan for our
life. Starting with anything less will eventually stop us in our tracks.
Start with obedience, and you will stop
with God’s blessings.
Prayer: Father, we humbly ask You to stop
us when we are going in the wrong direction.
Tweetable: Do you feel as if you are stopping more than starting?
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