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!” Numbers 22:29
Balaam apparently left on the anger train, because if a donkey you or I were riding suddenly turned and spoke to us, we likely would fall off the hind end in shock. Yet, the donkey speaks and Balaam responds in his anger as if donkey conversation was common in his day. This is one of my favorite Bible stories way back in the Book of Numbers, and likely at least part of the basis for the great Narnia books written by C.S. Lewis. Stepping into the story at the uh-oh point, as we are in this verse for today, we know that the donkey sees someone that Balaam cannot see. Take a moment to read the paragraph of the story just before the conversation begins, and one can see that the donkey is being entirely reasonable and faithful in the face of great danger. Many a donkey would likely have fled in terror! One can only imagine the look on Balaam's face when the angel of the Lord is revealed at last.
Someone you know and depend on may appear to do you wrong. Perhaps he or she sees something, or even an angel of the Lord, that you cannot see right now. Give them the benefit of your love and faithfulness, as they have done for you these many years.
May the love and lovingkindness of Jesus go with you today,
Bucky
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