I Must Obey the Lord
Daily Old Testament Reading: Numbers 23-5
Daily Focus Passage: Numbers 24
King Balak had commissioned Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Balak's desire came from his concern over the blessing of the Lord upon the people and the threat of defeat. As the story unfolds, we find that Balaam refuses to curse the people of Israel and ultimately blesses them and curses Balak and his people. When questioned by Balak, Balaam declared that he must obey the Lord no matter what. This mindset must become the mindset of followers of Christ. We must make our motto: "I must obey the Lord."
THE PRIORITY OF OUR ALLEGIANCE TO THE KING OF KINGS
Balaam faced a choice. He could choose to obey the Lord, or he could choose to follow an earthly king. If Balaam decided to follow the directives of an earthly king, then he would become disobedient to the Lord and fall into a state of sin. By choosing to maintain his allegiance to the Lord, Balaam faced the punishment of an earthly king. Balaam modeled how a believer must be surrendered to the Lord wholeheartedly and how the believer's allegiance must rest in the Lord alone. When we consider living in this world, we must make and maintain our allegiance to the Lord and not the world's powers.
THE LORD MUST CONTROL OUR ACTIONS
Balaam received the commission from the king, but the earthly king did not wholly control Balaam's life. Balaam surrendered his activities and actions to the Lord. He committed the self to serve the Lord alone and would not allow any other person, place, or thing to take the ability to direct his life. As a result, we must note that to allow the Lord to control our lives; we must seek to hear from the Lord and desire to fulfill the received word. When we recognize the story of Balaam, we realize that obedience is not in declaration alone but occurs when our actions respond in obedience.
WE MUST TRUST OUR LIFE TO THE LORD
Balaam faced the threat of punishment at the hands of Balak. He could have received death or other grave punishments. Yet, Balaam trusted his life with the Lord. This meant that he did not concern himself with the threats of humanity; instead, he trusted in the Lord, whether that meant life or death. He knew that the Lord was worth more than all the riches in the world and more certain than any threat. When this mentality occurs, people become free to live entirely for the Lord because all hope rests in our relationship with the Lord.
Balaam models the importance of living a life for the Lord. He did not concern himself with the thoughts of the world, but instead, he just lived in a manner that must obey the Lord. Does this motto characterize your life? Do you live in a manner that seeks to obey the Lord with all you are? May we strive to make our motto: I must obey the Lord.
