Read: Numbers 23-25
Focus Verse: “Balaam answered Balak, ‘Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything god my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD—and I must say only what the LORD says’?” (Numbers 24:12-13).
Devotion: “A speaker of truth has no friends” (African Proverb). I saw this quote today and it fits nicely with today’s reading. Balaam ends up giving a blessing to Israel 3 times. Balak is tricked and says he refuses to pay Balaam because he blessed Israel while Balak hired him to curse Israel. Balak blames it on God but Balaam turns it right back around and reminds Balak that before he ever came to serve Balak he told him that he’d only say “…what the LORD says” (24:13b). Balaam spoke truth and it didn’t earn anything but scorn from Balak. People sometimes just want to hear what benefits them, only the wise can accept truth, and if friends are lost because of the truth of God we share, maybe they aren’t friends worth having right now.
Pray: LORD I pray you aid me in only ever speaking Your truth. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26)