BARRIERS TO PROGRESS
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. 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. 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. “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!” “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. 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 22:26-31 (NLT)
Many of us have things we’re trying to achieve. We’re trying to make some progress toward some goal or dream, but we keep bumping up against an invisible wall. We can’t understand why we’re not making any progress.
Balaam was a good prophet of God but was about to help some bad guys. God put an angel in his pathway to block his progress, but Balaam couldn’t see the angel. The angel was invisible to Balaam but not to Balaam’s donkey. God used Balaam’s donkey to keep Balaam from going down a path that would be destructive for him and bring negative consequences to many others.
This story may seem strange—talking donkeys and invisible angels—but do you notice any similarities with your own life? Maybe your plans are getting blocked, and you’re taking out your frustration on others. Possibly, the issue is you and the fact that you’re not trusting God to guide your next step.
When your progress is blocked, you’ve got one of two choices. Beat the donkey, or let God open your eyes. You can either get mad at everybody and blame others for your problems. Or you can begin to look in God’s Word and say, God, what do you want me to see? I can see what God wants me to see when I trust the Holy Spirit in me.
APPLICATION: Identify a situation where you do not seem to progress. Ask God to reveal what He wants you to see.
PRAYER: Father, what do you want me to see today? When I face barriers or problems today, please help me to see what you want me to see.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?