Speak

And a time to speak; (Eccl.3:7d)

Then the angel of the LORD stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. ²⁵ When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. ²⁶ Then the angel of the LORD moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. ²⁷ This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.
 ²⁸ Then the LORD gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.
 ²⁹ “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
 ³⁰ “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
   “No,” Balaam admitted.
 ³¹ Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.  Numbers 22:24-31

When was the last time your dog or cat spoke to you?  I know probably never....and if you have a parrot, well....that doesn't count, but imagine trying to do what you want to do, and it seems no one is cooperating, not even the animal you rode in on.  Funny isn't how we have our own will and sometimes, ok many times.....it's not the same as God's will.   We want to go to this school, and God is desiring us to go to that school.  Or you really like this guy/gal but you don't understand why they don't feel the same.   Or maybe you go on an interview and it went super, but despite your prayers they choose someone else.  Balaam was a prophet of the Lord and was being asked to do something that was against the will of God.  Balaam had prayed and God even told him not to go and attempt to curse what He had blessed.   But Balaam was being pursued by a king that was offering him "things" making it harder for Balaam to "just say no."

So Balaam set out to curse the people, and one of the most amazing fetes happen; a donkey spoke.  No this isn't a scene out of Shrek, but rather since Balaam hadn't listen to God, God decided to really grab his attention.  As you read Balaam had begun to beat the donkey because He wouldn't go forward as he was commanding/steering him to go.  It was only when the donkey spoke, pleaded with him, and then Balaam saw the Angel of the Lord opposed to his will.   Balaam realized that he was wrong on many levels.  He had allowed his heart to chase the wrong things.   He began to beat an innocent animal, and ultimately he was going against God's will.   

Who's speaking to you?  Who are you allowing to speak into you?  Who are you speaking to?  Is what you're saying leading people into a deeper relationship with Christ?  With everyone talking, with voices from the radio, television, all around in the marketplace, I'm just curious who is it that you are really listening to?   Contrary to public opinion I believe that when we all stand before God in judgement there won't be an opportunity or a need for us to speak, or plead our cases.   Simply because GOD knows it all.  He knows why you did what you did, or said what you said.  He's the discerner of our hearts, so that being said it won't be this back in forth regarding you getting into heaven or not.  See I believe your life....will have spoken for you.  No matter who the speaker is at your funeral, they can't preach you into heaven if your life, your time on Earth didn't point you or anyone in that direction.  Each day whether you are talking or not you're living.  You are living out your faith, which speaks for you. 

So in closing this devotion today....

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)  ²¹ The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. 

It's time to speak...what will your life say today?  LGLP