December 19, 2022

Passage Read: Numbers 28-31
Meditation Verse: 31:16

Thought

So Balaam departed and headed home, but apparently either didn't make it home or returned afterwards. He knew the Lord wanted to bless the Israelites, and he said he couldn't go beyond the commands of the Lord. But somewhere along the way home, he was overcome by the riches promised to him. He couldn't give those up. He somehow convinced himself that it would be okay to cause the Israelites to stumble without cursing them. He decided it was okay to go against the Lord's clear purpose and get the Israelites in trouble with the Lord, so that perhaps the Midianites could then defeat them. Balaam seemed like a hero, up to this point. His dedication to the Lord faltered the longer he thought about what he could gain by betraying the Lord.

Application

It is said that every man has his price. If there is something I treasure more than the Lord, then my faith too stands on shaky ground. No wonder Jesus says that unless I give up everything I have, I cannot be His disciple. If there is something on earth that I really want, there is room for me to abandon Christ. Am I willing to starve to death to remain faithful to Jesus? Do I have to have sleep? Would I betray Jesus for money or houses or fame? Do I need friends? Am I willing to suffer torment in order to remain faithful to Jesus? Tests will come. Is there something I love or want more than Jesus? If so, I'm vulnerable and need to make changes.